Touch Not the Cat

[Lynn]

I have read the first two chapters. The book is vaguely familiar - Mary Stewart's romances are all similar. Also perhaps I remember it from 1989, but I doubt that. This year I read Thornyhold and last year I read Rose Cottage. It is typical to find something in her books that borders the supernatural without being a full-blown ghost story.

I think years ago when I read this book, I would not have found the "clairvoyance" all that strange. Talking in full conversations in one's head, yes would be strange, but my parents told me I had an imaginary friend as a child. I was a toddler and don't remember this. I'm sure I would have assumed something like that. Also, I know many people who have experienced a sense of death when a close relative or spouse died.

I read The House on the Strand (1969) by Daphne du Maurier earlier this year. It also had a connection between two characters of different time periods and would jump back and forth. As Wobbley said I think this may have been a common technique in the 1960s, 1970s.

[Lynn]

Du Maurier and Stewart are similar writers, in my opinion. Both write about houses almost as an additional character in the story. Du Mauriers writes about historic houses in Cornwall. Stewart writes about young ladies, who are often orphans, who are poor but well-bred. They usually find themselves living in a small, cozy cottage near an estate that has some sort of family significance.

[Franky]

I just started today and am about 20 pages in. I have enjoyed reading Mary Stewart's books so far. For reference, the two I have read are Nine Coaches Waiting (4 stars) and The Crystal Cave (4 stars) and I also bought and have The Moon-Spinners on my to-read list. I like how she blends in romance, Gothic and mystery together nicely. Though it's early, I'm intrigued to see where things go from here...

Agree with Lynn. Du Maurier reminds me quite a bit of Stewart with ambience, mood, descriptions, and houses that have great import. Very similar in style too.

[Lynn]

Oh my! a list, an unsuspected cousin, the quiet childhood friend.. this is such a quintessential Mary Stewart plot line.

The scene where Mrs. Henderson opens the cottage by airing it out, buying groceries, and telling the local tradesmen to resume deliveries is found in both Touch Not the Cat and The Rose Cottage. Identical although written decades apart.

[Teri-K]

Wobbley wrote: "I'm trying to memorize the last words of her father, so I can watch the obscure hints they contain be unmasked as the book goes along...."

In my physical copy his last words are on page 15, so it's easy for me to flip back and reread them. I remember the story pretty well, but it's fun to watch his words being explained as the story progresses.

This was serialized in a "woman's" magazine in 76 or 77, I don't remember which magazine. The summer of 77 my best friend was transferring from the University of Colorado at Boulder, to Cal Tech, because her family had moved to California. We loaded all of her worldy goods into a yellow convertible Fiat and drove out to CA. When we got there her mother had saved the issues of the magazine with this story in it and we both enjoyed it.

I will forever associate this with Becky, driving in that tiny car with the top down through the Rocky Mountains, and seeing the Pacific Ocean for the first time. :)

[Terris]

Teri-K wrote: "Wobbley wrote: "I'm trying to memorize the last words of her father, so I can watch the obscure hints they contain be unmasked as the book goes along...."

In my physical copy his last words are on..."

I love connecting a good book with a wonderful memory like that, Teri-K!

[Lynn]

Teri-K wrote: "Wobbley wrote: "I'm trying to memorize the last words of her father, so I can watch the obscure hints they contain be unmasked as the book goes along...."

In my physical copy his last words are on..."

What a fun memory!

[Savita]

Terry wrote: "Windflowers are Anemones. I think of them as specifically Anemone blanda, a small plant with daisy-like flowers. They can be purchased as bulbs and tolerate poor rocky soils.

https://www.colorblen..."

Terry , so sorry for the late reply ! Thanks a lot for the lovely information on Anemones and Agapanthus ! The names may sound a bit forbidding, but one look at these lovely flowers and
they take away your heart from you ! ... but , leave behind doles of gentle , innocent and oh such a peaceful happiness 🤔😊 !
And their names ! , that are , too , no less romantic!
Anemone , according to the Oxford dictionary, means daughter of the wind in Greek ! Maybe , it seems , because of the way the wind blows open the flower buds ! Ahh ... 🤗
And , Agapanthus, in Greek , literally means love flower ! That's quaint ! The African lily , in Australia, is called the star of Bethlehem .. because it blooms just before Christmas. True , one of kind Heaven 's beautiful guiding beacons through earth's oft confusing labyrinths... should pause here for thought 🤔 🕯👣 🕯❤🕯❤🕯❤🕯❤........ 🕯💛🕯.. the path to elusive Salvation....... I may not be of Christian faith , but who is it who is unaware that Christ's message was one of love , peace and brotherhood ......
So , thank you once again, Terry, for a message that reaches the soul with it's gentle but persuasive beauty 🙏

[Savita]

I want to make a few more comments on the interesting conversation flow of this thread , but that will have to wait till tomorrow... better posts , then , with likely less typos 🤨 .
And , the story, from the above comments gets more exciting and intriguing... so , better to push ahead with that, so the discussion will be meaningful .

[Lynn]

So I have a theory about the outcome of the story. The problem with rereading is I cannot tell if I am predicting from story clues or remembering from the first read. I enjoy the story. I'll just have to wait and see tomorrow. I'm reading about 100 pages or so a day. Perhaps I'll finish tomorrow, or the next day.

[Wobbley]

Lynn wrote: "So I have a theory about the outcome of the story. The problem with rereading is I cannot tell if I am predicting from story clues or remembering from the first read."

Wow, you're really far along, Lynn! I've read a few more chapters, and I have a theory about who her lover is, but I don't yet know where the story as a whole is going (apart from that it will try to solve the mystery of her father's last words, and save her from whatever danger he foretold).

[Teri-K]

Lynn wrote: "So I have a theory about the outcome of the story. The problem with rereading is I cannot tell if I am predicting from story clues or remembering from the first read. I enjoy the story. I'll just h..."

I have the same problem! I'll be rereading a mystery and sometimes I'm not sure if I remember who did it or if I'm remembering who I thought did it, and I was wrong that time, too. LOL

[Lynn]

Wobbley wrote: "Lynn wrote: "So I have a theory about the outcome of the story. The problem with rereading is I cannot tell if I am predicting from story clues or remembering from the first read."

Wow, you're rea..."

I am not back to normal activities yet. My hands are so much better, but still not back to full strength. That leaves a lot of time for reading. I have at-home physical therapy things to do, so I read while doing that.

My theory
(view spoiler)[ Here's my theory or memory.
Rob is the telepathy partner for Bryony. The twins are telepathy partners. Two partners work for telepathy, but it doesn't work for three people. James can't have two partners.

1. "Wicked Nick" must have married the girl or at least she was pregnant by him when Nick was murdered.
2. Nick was murdered perhaps by the brothers, but more likely by the Uncle. The Uncle's line got the inheritance because the girl kept quiet to protect her baby.
3. Rob is the descendent of Nick who should have been the rightful heir and he is the Ashley cousin that Bryony speaks to telepathically and they will marry.
4. The marriage and birth registry was stolen to cover up the genealogy of Rob's line. Either James and Emory discovered the truth or their father did while researching a way to break the Trust.
5. Someone went to convince Bryony's father to break the Trust and killed him. Perhaps they even told Bryony's father the truth and the father refused to cheat Rob. Therefore the father had to be killed.
6. Bryony knows the truth and her life is in danger.
7. Rob knows he needs to protect Bryony, but perhaps doesn't know he is the rightful heir;
8. Cousin marriage was seriously frowned upon in the 1960s and 1970s, so Rob would be more suitable since he is a much more distant cousin.

Throughout the book the fact that Ashley men are ruthless is emphasized. Wicked Nick was a sweet dreamer. He was a lover not a fighter. His heir would be more mild mannered like Rob. The murderous Uncle would have heirs like the twins.

Perhaps there is some Roman ruin the "big house" is built up on?? not sure about that. This is why the map is important.

It seems to me that there was a twin or brother that was dangerous in Mary Stewart's book My Brother Michael. But it's been 40 years since I read that one, so maybe not.
(hide spoiler)]

[Lynn]

(view spoiler)[

Have you noticed the references to The King Must Die by Mary Renault ? We read that book as a Buddy Read last year. It's about Theseus, the minotaur, the maze, a storehouse....

I wondered if "Romeus and Juliet" by Arthur Brooke was a real publication. It is.

(hide spoiler)]

[Lynn]

Franky you mentioned The Moon-Spinners. I have not read that one yet. Another Buddy Read?

It's nice to be reading just for fun again. I have read a good amount of ancient history this summer as well as a couple of so/so Group Reads. I would love to be back in 5* territory.

[Wobbley]

Lynn wrote: "Franky you mentioned The Moon-Spinners. I have not read that one yet. Another Buddy Read?

I could be talked into a buddy read of Moon-Spinners, if you decide to pursue that.

[Teri-K]

Lynn wrote: "Franky you mentioned The Moon-Spinners. I have not read that one yet. Another Buddy Read?

It's nice to be reading just for fun again. I have read a good amount of ancient history this..."

I would do a Moonspinners buddy read. It's fun.

Of course, I still need to finish this one. I had a busy Saturday and now I'm trying to get all my usual Saturday stuff done on Sunday. But I should be reading again soon...

[Lynn]

I finished. Yes 5*. I liked reading this one.

[Janelle]

I’m only just starting this one. It’s an intriguing first chapter. I’ll catch up on other comments once I’m further in.

[Wobbley]

I've read a couple more chapters, and for me the book had its first wobble.

Beware Spoilers: It was when Bryony was in the nursery communicating with her love, and they tried to make an almost sexy moment of him touching her via their mental bond. To me, that scene dipped too close to cheesy romance territory. It didn't seem to fit with this book. However, they did pull it back right away, so maybe it's nothing. It's just made me a bit nervous about the direction the book will take, whereas before my experience was entirely positive. Guess I'll need to wait and see. End of Spoilers

Other than that, it's still going well. I found the initial interactions between her and her cousin very engaging.

[Teri-K]

Wobbley wrote: "I've read a couple more chapters, and for me the book had its first wobble.

Beware Spoilers: It was when Bryony was in the nursery communicating with her love,.."

I'll be honest, Wobbley, I sometimes feel like Stewart was stretching her usual style with this book, trying to make it fit what was popular at the time a bit better - and that' scene is one of the reasons I feel that way. Of course, maybe this was exactly the story as she wanted to write it, but it feels a bit different from her usual to me. I'm fine with authors taking chances and trying new things, but they don't always work, either.

[Terry]

Like Janelle, I am just starting the book.

[Wobbley]

Teri-K wrote: "I'm fine with authors taking chances and trying new things, but they don't always work, either."

Thanks Teri-K, it's reassuring to know I'm not the only one who had this response to that scene. There's something about the way it was written that just didn't work, at least for me. But everything else is good so far, and I'm interested to see what comes next.

[Wobbley]

Lynn wrote: "I finished. Yes 5*. I liked reading this one."

Yay, I'm glad you enjoyed it so much! I haven't yet read your spoiler sections with your guesses about where the story was going, but did you end up being right?

[Lynn]

Wobbley wrote: "Lynn wrote: "I finished. Yes 5*. I liked reading this one."

Yay, I'm glad you enjoyed it so much! I haven't yet read your spoiler sections with your guesses about where the story was going, but di..."

Partially correct, lol!

[Luffy Sempai]

Teri-K wrote: "Wobbley wrote: "I've read a couple more chapters, and for me the book had its first wobble.

Beware Spoilers: It was when Bryony was in the nursery communicating with her love,.."

I'll be honest, ..."

There goes another book that is weird.

[Wobbley]

I'm halfway through the book. A few big things have just been revealed, and at this point I don't see how it's possible to get to the ending I feel the book should have. But that feels about right for halfway through: there are some conflicts, and I haven't yet figured out how the author will navigate us through them. And that's even without the problems from her father's last words...

Beware Spoilers: Also, I was right about who was stealing the stuff around the house, but not right about why, or about who they were stealing it for. End of Spoilers

[Savita]

I have finished chapter 2 of this very intriguing novel !
Some thoughts about the enigmatic connection between the two timeliness that are running parallel. Beware Spoilers One timeline is 1835 , involving a possibly doomed couple .. a gentleman and his beloved lady . What happens to them will probably be revealed in the coming chapters . Of course , it may be a case of unrequited love , because the emotions of lady in question are not yet revealed 🤔.
In the second timeline , ? the 20th century... Wobbley had mentioned in one of the messages... , could it be that of the 1835 couple , the lady was reborn as Bryony ? Then , she's receiving non conventional telecommunication from either .. (i ) the gentleman who was her lover in the 1835 couple , but who has not taken a rebirth in this 20th century timeline 🤔 ? ... a kind of ADC ( after death communication ) , occurring as a clair audience { ability to hear voice or thoughts of the spirit} . Or ii The gentleman , of the 1835 couple , has also been concurrently reborn , and is communicating with Byrony because of soul ties due to karmic ( our deeds ) links 🤔 ? Then , his identity will , I suppose, be revealed in the upcoming chapters . [ The terms ADC , clair audience and karmic links , I found on Google search , though karma is a belief / term which would be familiar with members of different religions . In Christianity, it translates into , As you have sowed , so you shall reap . Here it may be referring to a previously doomed bond of love , an unfinished business, that has taken rebirth for fulfillment, or to bring to justice those who ruined that 1835 bond . End of Spoiler
I may , of course, be wildly off the mark 🙃🤨

[Savita]

Annette wrote: "You all probably already know this bur I learned from my Natural-Resource-majoring daughter that looking at the pinecones is a huge clue when identifying a pine tree :)"

Hey .. I like that one 😄

[Savita]

Lynn wrote: "Savita wrote: "Lynn wrote: "Mary Stewart is one of my favorite authors. I read Touch Not the Cat in 1989! I found this book [book:The Spell of Mary Stewart: The Ivy Tree/This Rough M..."

You've already finished , Lynn , and given the book 5 stars ! .. so , the rest of us know that there's something good ahead !
I understand that you're undergoing physiotherapy sessions... wish you good recovery, Lynn ! All the best to you ! ☘

[Savita]

Teri-K wrote: "Wobbley wrote: "I'm trying to memorize the last words of her father, so I can watch the obscure hints they contain be unmasked as the book goes along...."

In my physical copy his last words are on..."

Teri-K wrote: "Wobbley wrote: "I'm trying to memorize the last words of her father, so I can watch the obscure hints they contain be
unmasked as the book goes along...."

Oh , wow , Teri-k , I loved your description of the drive through the Rocky Mountains! I will forever associate this with Becky, driving in that tiny car , with the top down , through the Rocky Mountains, and seeing the Pacific ocean for the first time ! I can soo completely relate to and resonate with what you've described ! Becky , whom you have described as your best friend, and then the Rocky Mountains, another silent , beauuutiful and impossibly powerful presence, another friend you would always want to come back to ! Sure , a memory to cherish !

In my physical copy his last words are on..."

[Savita]

Lynn wrote: "Franky you mentioned The Moon-Spinners. I have not read that one yet. Another Buddy Read?

It's nice to be reading just for fun again. I have read a good amount of ancient history this..."


The Moon - Spinners has got a nice blurb , and Mary Stewart's writing style is so beautiful, the intrigue and mystery so irresistible! Would love to join the buddy read if it materializes, but will only be able to do so in December . When is it being planned for , Lynn ? Gosh , I can't wait to start another Mary Stewart!

[Lynn]

Savita wrote: "I have finished chapter 2 of this very intriguing novel !
Some thoughts about the enigmatic connection between the two timeliness that are running parallel. Beware Spoilers One timeline is 1835..."

Interesting that you thought about reincarnations.

[Lynn]

So when would be a good time for Moon-Spinners? I perpetually over plan books, so really anytime is equally good or bad. Whichever way you look at it!

Is November too soon? How about the first of December?

[Wobbley]

Lynn wrote: "So when would be a good time for Moon-Spinners? I perpetually over plan books, so really anytime is equally good or bad. Whichever way you look at it! Is November too soon? How about the first of December? "

I could do Moonspinners whenever, but it sounds like Savita isn't available for it until December.

[Wobbley]

Savita wrote: "I have finished chapter 2 of this very intriguing novel !
Some thoughts about the enigmatic connection between the two timeliness that are running parallel. Beware Spoilers One timeline is 1835..."

Interesting, I hadn't thought of a reincarnation interpretation.

[Wobbley]

One more point about the spot I'm in in the book (halfway through).

Beware Spoilers: Her cousin keeps saying that she has to be on his side, that that's how things are (presumably because of their relationship). Okay, but why doesn't he have to be on her side for the same reason? Also, it's very unreasonable for them to expect her to give up her personal inheritance and home. The way he is in this whole scene is part of what makes it hard for me to see a way through this to the ending the book ought to have. End of Spoilers

[Wobbley]

I've read one more chapter (done through the end of chapter 12), and now I have a theory about how the author is going to get us out of this mess.

Beware Spoilers: In chapter 10, she and James talk, he implies he's the one she's been talking to in her head, they kiss, then she finds evidence that he was present at her father's accident and she cuts him off telepathically from her mind. In chapter 11, she talks to the Vicar about what she should do, the Vicar tells her an old registry has been stolen, then Rob comes by and is unusually surly. Here is my theory:

More Spoilers: When I first met Rob, I thought he would be the one she has telepathy with, that he would somehow end up being an Ashley. The last few chapters had tricked me into thinking it was James instead, but now I'm back to thinking it's Rob (it's possible it's both of them, but I think it will just be Rob). The stolen registry somehow proves that he's an Ashley (possibly the couple in the 1835 flashbacks secretly married in a nearby community, and he is their descendant). I don't know whether Rob took the registry to find this out, or whether James/Emory took it to hide the evidence that Rob is an Ashley -- probably the second one, since James/Emory are starting to seem a bit like charming villains. In chapter 12, Rob is surly to Bryony because he doesn't understand why she's cut him off telepathically, or possibly he knows that she kissed James and doesn't understand why she would do that when Rob is the one she calls her love in their telepathic conversations. Once it all gets cleared up, Rob will be able to stop them from selling off the estate (all adult Ashleys must consent), save Bryony from her cousins, and the two of them can end up together. The only thing I don't like about this theory is that in the one long scene she and Rob had together, their relationship seemed a bit dull; but there's time to fix that, and at least they want the same future.

More Spoilers: Of course I still don't know how this all works in with the mystery of her father's final warning. But there are starting to be pieces. The mention of the trust, and of James. The cat on the pavement could be the cat statue that is broken -- did it break on its own or did someone break it off to find something hidden inside or underneath it? Still lots of intrigue...End of Spoilers

[Terry]

What easy prose Mary Stewart writes. My initial impression is that you climb into her story like you would put on some cozy slippers and a soft cardigan. I could see how this author’s books, to mix metaphors, could be consumed as comfort food.

At Chapter 4, I am wondering where this story will lead and hoping that it does not involve too much magic. I don’t mind and sometimes like premonitions — I’ve had them myself. And my brother at about age 4 had an imaginary friend who lived in our backyard. But I do hope this isn’t a time travel novel.

[Janelle]

I’m about halfway through and I really dislike both twins!

One thing sticking out to me is the constant descriptions of the various flowers and gardens etc.
This gives it really calm feel even though the mystery is getting quite dark and the snippets from 1835 add to that darkness.

[Wobbley]

Terry wrote: "What easy prose Mary Stewart writes. My initial impression is that you climb into her story like you would put on some cozy slippers and a soft cardigan."

You're right Terry, her writing is very comfortable.

[Lynn]

Savita wrote: "Lynn wrote: "Savita wrote: "Lynn wrote: "Mary Stewart is one of my favorite authors. I read Touch Not the Cat in 1989! I found this book [book:The Spell of Mary Stewart: The Ivy Tree..."

Thank you for the well wishes on my health. I had carpal tunnel surgery on both hands on Sept 29th. I did have 2 weeks of not using my hands until the stitches were taken out. The surgery worked very well and I just need to work on rebuilding strength. I've been released from going to the doctor office and now am just doing the exercises at home.

[Luffy Sempai]

Savita wrote: "The gentleman , of the 1835 couple , has also been concurrently reborn , and is communicating with Byrony because of soul ties due to karmic ( our deeds ) links 🤔 ? Then , his identity will , I suppose, be revealed in the upcoming chapters . [ The terms ADC , clair audience and karmic links , I found on Google search , though karma is a belief / term which would be familiar with members of different religions . In Christianity, it translates into , As you have sowed , so you shall reap . ."

Hi all. It's a bit of a stretch that there are previous births involved. As for the karmic sayings, there are many of them, often contradictory.

There is the golden mean of course. Then there is 'an eye for an eye', then its complete opposite '... will make the world blind'.

The most evolved Bible is often taken to be the King James Bible. Some say that Shakespeare edited it, hence the cultured vibes it gives.

I happen to know that most Hindi movies where previous lifetimes are part of the plot, flop at the box office. But anyway, no karmic bookkeeping needs to be tallied here.

[Lynn]

I will post on the Buddy Requests for The Moon-Spinners during the month of December.

[Lynn]

Luffy Sempai wrote: "Savita wrote: "The gentleman , of the 1835 couple , has also been concurrently reborn , and is communicating with Byrony because of soul ties due to karmic ( our deeds ) links 🤔 ? Then , his identi..."

Yes, my interpretation was not reincarnation, but rather a "genetic superpower" so to speak. People descended from Bess, who was burned at the stake as a witch generations earlier had inherited a special ability.

[Heather L]

It’s been interesting reading all the comments here and I agree with others that Stewart’s descriptions are quite atmospheric.

Lynn — Your theories were mostly right, so well done!

I would be up for reading The Moon-Spinners in December. For anyone else who might be interested in it, the book is currently on sale for only 99 cents — but hurry, as it says “limited time!”


Kindle
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...

Nook
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-...

[Lynn]

Heather L wrote: "It’s been interesting reading all the comments here and I agree with others that Stewart’s descriptions are quite atmospheric.

Lynn — Your theories were mostly right, so well done!

I would be u..."



Thank you! I just got it.

[Wobbley]

I just finished the book. Although I had no real idea of what the father's warning was about until the end (cat on the pavement, etc.), the predictions I made at the halfway point about what would happen to the people were very accurate. (Also, wow Lynn, I just read your partway-through theory and you were so close about everything!)

I have mixed feelings about the book.

Beware Spoilers

On the positive side:
- There is no denying that the lush descriptions of setting are wonderful, as we've discussed. They are a real highlight throughout the book. I could talk about this for a long time, but I've already done so above.
- I actually really enjoyed the gothic elements of the book, like the villainous cousins and the kidnapping scene and her trying to escape the flood, etc.
- I thought it was a nice touch at the end to mention her mourning the charming boys she had known when her cousins were young.

But...
- I don't think the romance really worked. In the end, I liked the relationship between the two of them just fine. But it was the tender scenes once they became a couple (especially the very early scenes in their romantic relationship, such as their first kiss). The way that was written just felt to me too close to cheesy romance. This may be more about me than the book -- I've found that romance story lines are difficult to get right for me, and this book just didn't succeed. I know the author is capable of it, since she succeeded in My Brother Michael, but it just didn't work for me here.
- Also, I found the very ending a bit unsatisfying. It was nice for Francis to arrive, and I would have liked to see more of him. But I didn't really get on board with them deciding to just let it all go -- the accident that killed her father, the intentional thefts and vandalism, the actual attempted murders. There was a whole big section earlier where Bryony decided that she had to do the right thing and send the photo of her cousins to Germany, but now she's just going to ask them to send it back without giving it to the police? Because her cousins "won't be able to come back anyway"?? I don't know...

End of Spoilers

Anyway, in this post I've talked at greater length about the things I didn't like, but the book was definitely more positive than negative for me. I've now read 3 Mary Stewart novels in 3 different genres, and for me the experience was quite different every time. Without question I liked My Brother Michael best, but I did find this one entertaining.

[Luffy Sempai]

I only just read chapter 3. I had been lowering my estimate before diving in this chapter, and it was a very atmospherically heavy one. I will read one or 2 chapters more today.

Chapter four was immersive. The atmosphere indoor was hard to me to peg. The cold seemed as cold as the outside. I don't know if that is a fault of the author, or my own failing.

Chapters 5 and 6 went by fast. Very good writing... although I haven't cracked the mystery.

[Teri-K]

I'm not going to respond to everyone, just say this is a great discussion and I love how everyone is responding, both to Stewart's writing and to the story itself. It makes the book even more fun for me, to read all of your comments. thanks for sharing!