The Feast: Spoiler thread

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

There is a lot to discuss in this book which will spoil it for anyone who hasn't finished so here's a spoiler thread.

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

Susan said "I was unaware of the 7 Deadly Sins theme until I stumbled across a helpful review that revealed them, and the clue that (view spoiler) Very clever!"

I had known about this book being about the seven deadly sins, but I didn't pick up on the clue about who was who until it became a group read in another group I'm in. Someone else had picked up on it. Interesting re-reading it with that know!edge.

[Bronwyn]

I read it last year and knew about the sins thing going in and was trying to guess who was what the whole time. 😂

[Susan in NC]

Tania wrote: "Susan said "I was unaware of the 7 Deadly Sins theme until I stumbled across a helpful review that revealed them, and the clue that (view spoiler) Very clever!"

I had known about this book being a..."

I bet I read their review, that’s how I found out!

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

Susan wrote:

"I wasn’t sure about the tape worm taunt, if Hebe just overheard nasty servant gossip and repeated it, or if it was truly the cause of Lady G’s gluttony."

I think she really had. She was apparently getting fat while in America, so this wasn't so much the cause as the solution to her gluttony.

"Mrs. Cove was selfish, greedy and covetous, which made her despised by many who pitied her at first, being a poor war widow trying to raise three children alone. But it was the children’s lonely, miserable childhood, and her carelessness, when they appeared to be drowning, which was most chilling to me."

Chilling is the perfect word to describe her behaviour, I think I found her to be the most despicable, she seems to go out of her way to put the children in danger just so she can have their money!

"Siddal the sloth was most evil, if only because his sin caused the most harm."

I must confess, I hadn't really thought about the fact that, ultimately, he was the cause of all those deaths; if he had only opened that letter.

[Susan in NC]

Exactly! His action (or inaction, I guess), was the most unforgivable, and his panic at the end (but still won’t tell his wife or sons, or the guests!) revealed to me he realized the danger he was putting himself and everyone in - and still failed to act!

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

Susan in NC wrote: "Exactly! His action (or inaction, I guess), was the most unforgivable, and his panic at the end (but still won’t tell his wife or sons, or the guests!) revealed to me he realized the danger he was ..."

He did try to save himself though; left the others back in the hotel.

Of course, I suppose their fate was sealed when they chose to indulge in one of the deadly sins.

[Susan in NC]

Tania wrote: "Susan in NC wrote: "Exactly! His action (or inaction, I guess), was the most unforgivable, and his panic at the end (but still won’t tell his wife or sons, or the guests!) revealed to me he realize..."

Good point!

[Lisa]

wow, I like the idea of the 7 deadly sins - that did as another layer to the book. I also liked all the references to different kinds of feasts.

I did enjoy this (more than I did "the constant nymph"!) & look forward to reading more of hers.

somehow the first chapter caused me to think (fear?) that only a couple of folks survived - so I was pleased with the ending.

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

Yes, I thought the ending was rather satisfying. Wasn't it.

[Susan in NC]

Definitely!

[Peggy]

I’m late in commenting, but this was fascinating. I definitely want to read more Margaret Kennedy.

As for the tapeworm, my grandma told me that years ago, there were discreet ads in ladies’ magazines for diet pills, but everyone knew they were actually tapeworm pills.

[Peggy]

Lisa wrote: "wow, I like the idea of the 7 deadly sins - that did as another layer to the book. I also liked all the references to different kinds of feasts.

I did enjoy this (more than I did "the constant nym..."

I was also worried about who would live and who would die, so I was relieved at how it all turned out.

[Tania, Gloucestershire Wild Daffodil.]

Peggy wrote: "I’m late in commenting, but this was fascinating. I definitely want to read more Margaret Kennedy.

As for the tapeworm, my grandma told me that years ago, there were discreet ads in ladies’ magazi..."

Me too. I have another couple of her books unread, I think Troy Chimneys will be next up for me.

[Susan in NC]

Peggy wrote: "I’m late in commenting, but this was fascinating. I definitely want to read more Margaret Kennedy.

As for the tapeworm, my grandma told me that years ago, there were discreet ads in ladies’ magazi..."

Ewwww! Amazing what women would (and will, sadly), do to meet “beauty standards “.