Catching up on Classics (and lots more!) discussion
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Touch Not the Cat
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Touch Not the Cat
Savita wrote: "Luffy Sempai wrote: "Savita wrote: "@ Terris , Wobbley, Luffy and Teri-K : I have already downloaded ebooks of The Moon-Spinners ( December read ) , This Rough Magic ( February read ) , and The Eng..."Hi Savita, I like your style of discussion. You put the buddy in Buddy Reads.
Luffy Sempai wrote: "Savita wrote: "Luffy Sempai wrote: "Savita wrote: "@ Terris , Wobbley, Luffy and Teri-K : I have already downloaded ebooks of The Moon-Spinners ( December read ) , This Rough Magic ( February read ..."Hey , thanks 😊 !
Savita wrote: "Lynn wrote: "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, t..."
What until you finish the book to open those spoilers.
I believe one of the reasons I liked the book so much this time is because it was a reread for me albeit after 45 years. It reminded me of a happy time and had an air of nostalgia. I can remember reading it in the first house my husband and I owned. I had a toddler and newborn baby. Happy memories.
Lynn wrote: "Savita wrote: "Lynn wrote: "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, ..."
Yes , Lynn , I had better not open the spoilers till I've finished the book , in fact even Wobbley's , where he's mentioned he's 50% through and then , retrospectively, that the guesses were quite right . 👍
Lynn wrote: "I believe one of the reasons I liked the book so much this time is because it was a reread for me albeit after 45 years. It reminded me of a happy time and had an air of nostalgia. I can remember r..."Oh yes , Lynn , I can completely relate to what you've described ! Sometimes a book can do this , sometimes a piece of music ! Some past golden era / time lights up the present with it's warm glow in a very sturdy , reassuring way .. because , though the present is , of course , not wholly predictable for any of us, but those treasured memories from the past no one and nothing can tamper with 🤔 . The first house that your husband and you bought together, and it became filled with the sheer magic that very small children bring with them from the other world... 🪄🔮 .. 💞💕 .. that pure love , trust , innocence and sweet happiness.... memories of a lifetime 💖💖 ..
And reading in the security of your own home , you must have felt even more acutely the troubling time that ( from chapter11 ) ... . Beware Spoilers that was gathering over Byrony, the Vicar , the Henderson family and Rob as the Twins seem to be busy plotting and planning to uproot everyone 's homes to solve their own monetary problems! Won't be surprised if they had caused the accident which killed Bryony's father .. they seem so ruthless , especially Emory 🤔 ! Where money is involved, especially large sums 💰 , human beings sometimes become capable of even of even deceiving Heaven , if it were possible 🤔 , all conscience, compunction, morals , values , principles.. all are so
easily tossed to the winds ! Sad ! End of Spoiler
Anyway, thanks for sharing your happy memories with us , Lynn ! 🙏💖
I'm reading chapter 15 .. more than 2/3 rds of the book through, and am enjoying the story ! Beware Spoilers [ At present, at least , the finger of guilt seems to be pointing to one or both the twins 🤔 . They're the ones who benefit from Bryony 's father's death . Ugh 😠.. sounds so cold blooded and calculating .... just a sick , old man , with a heart problem! Even to pressurize him to break the trust , as they were doing before this accident, was mean . That old man loved the Court , and didn't want to leave it .. it was his home . And now , Bryony is coming in the way 🤔 . Well , unless there's an unexpected twist in the story further down , which I can't visualize at this point, I will continue to dislike, hate actually, the twins ! Those who live by the sword , die by it How far do they think they'll be able to run with the blood soiled wealth , even if they manage to grasp it ? ... But , if it turns out that the twins are innocent... I am ready with my apology 🤔
I like the way Bryony describes Rob in chapter 14 , page 202 :
He was just an old friend... a real person, kind , uncomplicated, who would listen without judgment unless I ask for it , and would answer me then with plain and disinterested common sense... ... Hmm , till now there's no mention of the girl who's supposed to be engaged to Rob . Rather mean of me to wish this ... but I do wish it could be Rob and Bryony still ... both seem to be made for each other 🤔 . Maybe the other girl's nice , too , so I better keep my unkind thoughts to myself .
Actually, Rob calls Bryony ' luv ' once or twice , which Bryony mentions is just a common rural endearment, nothing special about it . Only thing, Bryony 's telepathic lover also keeps calling her ' love ' , so I did feel a bit hopeful , but , then again , this telepathic thing is a genetic hand down in the Ashleys , I think Lynn mentioned, and Rob is not an Ashley . Well , anyway, I'll continue to hope till as far as possible, I will continue to root for Rob and Bryony, whether it sounds mean or not 😌 ] End of Spoiler
Rob's comment on hit and run accidents was thought provoking. Will straighten my own contradictory thoughts before I comment tomorrow . Would also be very interested in knowing the thoughts of the other reading members: the instantaneous reflex action,versus the uncompromising stance taken by the difficult, if not impossible, to get rid of the insistent conscience..🤔.. 🖤 .. 💛 ?
Savita wrote: "I'm reading chapter 15 .. more than 2/3 rds of the book through, and am enjoying the story ! Beware Spoilers [ At present, at least , the finger of guilt seems to be pointing to one or both the t..."I think you're right to wonder about conscience and the twins. I think Bryony established that the twins had always been willing to break rules and talk others into doing wrong. One twin seemed worse than the other, but both were willing to do wrong.
Lynn wrote: "Savita wrote: "I'm reading chapter 15 .. more than 2/3 rds of the book through, and am enjoying the story ! Beware Spoilers [ At present, at least , the finger of guilt seems to be pointing to one ..."Yes , Lynn , Bryony did mention to Cathy this trait of the twins . Hmm ... let's see what happens further .
Another thing, the matter of fact truth in Rob's statement, in the same chapter, got me into a bit of puzzled thinking : ( about the usual hit and run accidents ) - It happens. It's human ...
It's not possible to deny this truth . If it happens in a frequented road , it's not only the fear of the police , but also the on the scene public who can , in their rage , turn violent 🤔 . It is human to attempt disappearing from the scene ... fleeing. I don't suppose , Lynn , this should be condemned, contemptuously, as a an act of human cowardice ? Or , at least , ok , it may be an act of cowardice, but a forgivable one , especially if the driver was not under the influence of alcohol or any other intoxicant ? Also , a guilt ridden conscience is , itself , a very severe punishment. And then , any convincing act of true repentance, in the wake of such a grievous error, would surely not only bring fair Heaven 's forgiveness, but also that of fellow human beings ... repentance can temper the angriest of human minds . It's what makes life worth living , makes us so much closer to the watching Heavens, this gladdening side of human nature.
I am reading chapter 17 and am totally taken by surprise by the suddenness of events and revealations . I am feeling glad , but it's a wary gladness .... the book still has some way to go .. and the mystery hasn't yet cleared up .. just keeping my fingers crossed.. I hope the happiness is here to stay 🕯.. not a terrible illusion...
Savita wrote: "Lynn wrote: "Savita wrote: "I'm reading chapter 15 .. more than 2/3 rds of the book through, and am enjoying the story ! Beware Spoilers [ At present, at least , the finger of guilt seems to be poi..."About the Hit and run accident. Accidental or not the event should have been reported. It seems there was no way to revive Bryony's Father and the delay did not cause death, the impact did. Bryony forgave. Still weeks later the cousins are hiding their knowledge from Bryony. I think that secretiveness is a betrayal.
Savita wrote: "I am reading chapter 17 and am totally taken by surprise by the suddenness of events and revealations . I am feeling glad , but it's a wary gladness .... the book still has some way to go .. and th..."I think not many people will disagree with me when I say that this thread will be poorer if you didn't comment.
Lynn wrote: "Savita wrote: "Lynn wrote: "Savita wrote: "I'm reading chapter 15 .. more than 2/3 rds of the book through, and am enjoying the story ! Beware Spoilers [ At present, at least , the finger of guilt ..."My mistake, Lynn , I didn't give the correct context of Rob's statement: It happens. It's human . It's taken from chapter 14 , page 207 , in my ebook , when he was talking to Bryony . He was talking of accidental, unintentioned , unplanned hit and run accidents , not premeditated, pre-planned hit and run accidents which , of course , are cold blooded murders . Therefore , my thoughts , in message 160 , are only on accidental, unplanned hit and run accidents . As far as the twins are concerned.. Beware Spoilers [ .. in chapter19 ( I have reached chapter 20 ) , the author describes the twins as .. these men were dangerous... quick thinking, violent men , who knew how to profit from accidents. Such men need to be safely put behind bars , and have a psychiatric assessment. They're too dangerous to be allowed free in the public. Repentance and forgiveness??? ... that is irrelevant at present . Psychiatric assessment and public safety is what's important. End of Spoiler
Luffy Sempai wrote: "Savita wrote: "I am reading chapter 17 and am totally taken by surprise by the suddenness of events and revealations . I am feeling glad , but it's a wary gladness .... the book still has some way ..."Hey , Luffy , thanks for your kind words 🙏 😊 ! It's very generous of you!
I've reached Chapter 20 , almost finished, so I'm looking forward to opening spoiler comments of all the members .
I have finished this book and loved the read ! Though other members have commented that this novel is not as good as Mary Stewart 's other novels , since this is only my introduction to this author , I can't compare this work with her other novels . But , about this story , itself , I must say that I loved the way the story was taken forward , and, towards the end, it becomes so racy , any interruption from the mundane, real world provoked great irritation and annoyance 🤨☹ ... Great surprises, great revealations coming one after another ! Beware Spoilers [ There was Emory who thought that by failing to report the fortuitous hit and accident of Bryony's father , and allowing the old man to go to a certain death by the lonely roadside , a major hurdle would be past 🤔 ; then it turns out that without the indispensable strip of land owned by Bryony , no one would be willing to buy Ashley Court ... 🤔 , hmm ; then it turns out that Rob was a legitimate descendant of Nicholas , and, therefore the heir of Ashley Court ... Hmmmmm .. 🤔 ; thennn it turns out that there's an ancient Roman villa buried under the maze ... so , no question of selling Ashley Court to anyone, it will become the Government 's property, the country's property ... HMMMMM 🤔 , Mr Emory , looks like tiresome meddlesome, interfering Heaven is just not on your side 🤔 ! The more you try to grab Ashley Court , the further it glides away.. just out of reach ! Keeping precious life just out of Bryony 's old , sick father 's reach was the only easy part . Getting rid of Bryony would have been a little more difficult 🤔 . Then , Rob , still more difficult, but , perhaps you may have succeeded there too 🤔 . But now the country's very Government, the whole country... impossible! Definitely out of your ruthless , cruel reach reach .. 🤔 . Yes , Bryony forgave you , it's because she's got such a beautiful, clear and clean heart . She's got Heaven by side .. Heaven that brought Rob and Bryony together through the mysterious communication called telepathy, A bond of blessed love beside which even Ashley Court , with all its growing value, fades into total insignificance. But , Mr Emory, 👉 you wouldn't understand this , because for you money is the priority, and if love / affection / whatever.. comes along with, well , that's a bonus 🤔 .. or so was mentioned in your relationship with the shrewd American magnate 's naive daughter, Cathy ! ] End of Spoilers
No wonder it was mentioned ( unfinished) twice in the novel : The mills of God grind slowly , but, finely . It's better to have Heaven on our side . It does work out better in the long run 🤔🕯
Savita wrote: "I have finished this book and loved the read !"I'm really glad to hear that you found it so satisfying, Savita! It's always great to find a book you love, and you have discovered a new author. :) You're right that towards the ending, the plot started moving a lot more quickly, and the book became more of a page-turner.
Only one more comment possible today , but some more tomorrow, when I will also be able to read other members ' thoughts on this evocative story .The closing line of the novel was its most beautiful one ! The option that Bryony knows Rob will take in the future course of events related to the future of Ashley Court... Beware Spoilers [ " Francis Ashley , mate , it's all yours . " Yes , Rob , I stand up to salute you ! Not only for this decision ( giving away Ashley Court to gentle Francis ) , but also when Bryony invited you inside her cottage, in chapter 16 , your suiccint reply was, ' Marriage or naught . ' Your soul vision is so unwaveringly clear , your principles so upright , so steadfast.. 🕯! They say that to get elusive Salvation is as difficult as it is to cross the sharp edge of the razor ( epigram in Somerset Maugham 's The Razor's Edge) , but you and your equally beautiful wife will know no obstacles! You two need no light . You are the leading lights 🙏🕯 Beware Spoilers
Wobbley wrote: "Savita wrote: "I have finished this book and loved the read !"I'm really glad to hear that you found it so satisfying, Savita! It's always great to find a book you love, and you have discovered a..."
Loved it , Wobbley, absolutely! Tomorrow I want to read spoiler comments by you and the other members. Looking forward! I don't want to sound so harsh about Emory , but , right now , I just can't think of anything good to say about him .. his heart seems to be as cold and slimy as a fish ! I wish I had Bryony 's gentle heart .
Also , the polygon joke that Terry mentioned... I would have completely gone past without understanding it , but for Terry 's post !
Savita wrote: "I don't want to sound so harsh about Emory , but , right now , I just can't think of anything good to say about him .. his heart seems to be as cold and slimy as a fish !"You are right that in the context of this story, Emory is a proper villain, with no redeeming qualities. But keep in mind that this story is not told from Emory's perspective. A different book, perhaps told about Emory's youth and coming of age, might have made us feel differently about him.
That said, I don't have a problem with him being presented as a not-particularly-nuanced character in the context of the story that Mary Stewart wrote. As a villain, he's a good one. One of the things that makes him such a successful villain is that Bryony is attached to him from their youth, and also his surface behaviour is charming. I think those things make him a more interesting villain than he could otherwise be.
Savita wrote: "I have finished this book and loved the read ! Though other members have commented that this novel is not as good as Mary Stewart 's other novels , since this is only my introduction to this author..."Your comments are so fun to read Savita. I really like it, too. I thought the end was everything I would have wanted for Bryony and Rob.
Wobbley wrote: "SThat said, I don't have a problem with him being presented as a not-particularly-nuanced character in the context of the story that Mary Stewart wrote. As a villain, he's a good one. One of the things that makes him such a successful villain is that Bryony is attached to him from their youth, and also his surface behaviour is charming. I think those things make him a more interesting villain than he could otherwise be."
I agree Emory is a good villain, in part because he's not so obvious. Sometimes you can tell who the baddie is, because there's only one person you don't like, so you know it will be them. I wasn't sure about Emory when I first read this and that made it more fun. :)
Wobbley wrote: "Savita wrote: "I don't want to sound so harsh about Emory , but , right now , I just can't think of anything good to say about him .. his heart seems to be as cold and slimy as a fish !"You are r..."
Very glad to read your thoughts in this message ( 170 ) . Beware Spoilers [ Yes , if we knew a little more about Emory's childhood days maybe we would understand better his behavior in young adulthood , I have to agree fully with you there . It was after reading your post that I suddenly remembered that Emory had lost his mother ( can't remember when exactly ) , and subsequently his father had found himself a glamorous Spanish girl , and settled down in Spain itself . Though nothing much is described of his step mother , it doesn't seem likely that she was very caring and concerned about her three step children 🤔 . Losing a natural mother early in life is a very big blow . Very few women would be able to replace the genuine , selfless love , warmth and caring of the natural mother . And , it's not only till the threshold of adulthood that parents matter . Beyond childhood , parent transform into worthy friends , wise and trusted mentors , as much needed in childhood, as in adulthood 🤔 . Emory 's father didn't sound much like a father , sorry to say .
Bryony also had lost her mother, but Bryony 's father filled that void with his own caring and gentle love . He never brought a stepmother into Bryony 's life ( I am not saying that all step parents are bad , no , but , the unfortunate truth is that many times it does turn out that way , and the vulnerable children have to take the brunt 🤔 ) . When her father died , Bryony's thoughts were , " I feel as if all the love has gone out of this world . " .
Rob , too , had a brutal father , but his mother was a good woman , and a strong one ; also , Bryony's father was very good to Rob .. so Rob's childhood was , thankfully , not deprived of love ..... love , so essential an ingredient in our mental health , the foundation laying of our adult character . And , I don't think Emory learnt very much about this thing called love as he grew up 🤔 . He only understood the value of money . Otherwise, he had no emotional attachment to Ashley Court , to Bryony ( he was ready to kill her towards the end ) , to Bryony's father , to Cathy ( that relationship was a bonus to all the wealth he would acquire from his marriage to a business tycoon 's daughter) , to James ( he used James ad lib for his own profit , there didn't seem to be any other impressive brotherly bond between the two ) .... Different people react differently to circumstances: James didn't develop Emory 's cold cruelty; and Francis remained a gentle , unwordlywise dreamer . ] End of Spoilers
Yes , Wobbley , what you've said is very right , very fair . But , still then , it's true , too , that Emory , at present is a man who's dangerous to the society. He's ruthless and , so far , totally unrepentant . Whether counseling and treatment could change him .. well I suppose that's not within the bounds of this story . 🤔
Lynn wrote: "Savita wrote: "I have finished this book and loved the read ! Though other members have commented that this novel is not as good as Mary Stewart 's other novels , since this is only my introduction..."Thank you , Lynn , that's a really sweet thing to say.. 😃💖
Teri-K wrote: "Wobbley wrote: "SThat said, I don't have a problem with him being presented as a not-particularly-nuanced character in the context of the story that Mary Stewart wrote. As a villain, he's a good on..."Hmm .. yes , Teri-k , as Wobbley, too , pointed out , he's Bryony's cousin , a childhood companion, they used to play together , go to school together.. still then !!
Savita wrote: "Wobbley wrote: "Savita wrote: "I don't want to sound so harsh about Emory , but , right now , I just can't think of anything good to say about him .. his heart seems to be as cold and slimy as a fi..."You're right that almost every major character was missing one parent. The only family that appeared intact was the Americans who were renting the Hall. They quickly responded when it seemed their daughter might go astray.
Lynn wrote: "Savita wrote: "Wobbley wrote: "Savita wrote: "I don't want to sound so harsh about Emory , but , right now , I just can't think of anything good to say about him .. his heart seems to be as cold an..."Oh yes, Lynn , the American tenants! Beware Spoilers [ These two parents once again ( previously also Cathy had got into bad company ) made a quick decision which saved their young daughter from rushing into a headlong alliance, a lifetime one , with a potentially dangerous person 🤔 . How could Cathy's young , enthusiastic eyes have seen past Emory 's impressive, suave personality , and been able to gauge the cold thinking , remarkably selfish interior , that would never have placed his wife's happiness as a priority ? But , to Cathy 's credit , great credit 🤔 , she never comes across as a wilful , obstinate young lady, who couldn't care two pennies for her worried parents ' decisions and advices . She does love her parents , and respects her parents . In fact , bless her young , enthusiastic , sparkling heart , when she comes to know that her parents are moving away to glamourus Paris .. there she is 👉 , already busy making plans for her coming stay in France 's exciiiiting capital .... one of our little world's most beautiful and attractive cities ! Her parents chose well 😍👌 ! As Bryony remarked , in Paris , even Emory would find it difficult to compete !
An after thought : 🤔 It's not that Cathy's parents will always be in the right . Parents are human beings too , they , too , can sometimes be in the wrong . And , then , Cathy is no longer a child . She will want to make her own decisions. She has that right . But , this is not at all an insurmountable problem/ issue . Each side , whether a parent and an adult child , or even a grandparent and an adult grandchild , need to adjust a little, accept a little, give a little. Love and respect will only keep growing, bonds will only keep strengthening with such mutual understandings. Important , if we wish to protect the future of so many child - Emorys 🤔🕯 . Wobbley is right ✔ .. if we care to understand the Emory of today , we should walk through at least a mile of his past , in his shoes . [ a situation adapted saying ] . ] End of Spoiler
I wonder if the other reading/ or rather have already read members have different opinions on this issue... vastly different, or slightly different.. both would be welcome 🤔 .
Wobbley wrote: "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 the..."
( @ Wobbley, msg 87 : Beware Spoilers [ I think you're referring to James , here , but really it applied to both the twins . Emory always pulled James into his mind and action games . And right you are .. very unreasonable and hatefully selfish to pressurize Byrony, very much so in the wake of her recent loss . ] End of Spoiler
Wobbley wrote: "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 tal..."
@ Wobbley, msg 88 : Wow , Wobbley, just Wow 👌 ! You guessed more or less the whole thing .. Beware Spoilers [ You guessed it was Rob ! And that he'll turn out to be an Ashley! I , myself , wanted it to be Rob , but that was just my wishful thinking. That Rob would turn out to be an Ashley... not even in my wildest dreams did such a thought occur to me 😳 . Well , Wobbley, I sure have to offer my reluctant Congratulations to you , reluctant because my face has become like this 👉 .. 🤢 .. ie , green with envy 😉😊 .. I am sure Lynn is having a good laugh .. she did mention that my posts are good fun to read ( she just said ' fun ' , actually, but I added ' good ' 😄 ! End of Spoiler
I loved your words ' charming villains ! 😅
Wobbley wrote: "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 ..."@ Wobbley, msg 88 : Beware Spoilers [ But the police did arrive in the end, Wobbley , along with the Vicar . No further proof was required of the twins attempting murder by opening the High Sluice ... Rob and Bryony were both witnesses. Also , that Emory had hit Bryony so hard on the head that she had become unconscious.
It turned out that Emory wasn't the guilty hit and run motorist, he was only guilty of willfully failing to report the accident.. something that may have allowed Bryony a few last , precious moments with her dying father .
James and Emory ( if he's still alive ) are going to be brought to justice, but that's job of the police, and they are very much on the scene. ] End of Spoiler
I'll be able to open more spoiler comments after a while .
Savita wrote: "But the police did arrive in the end..."I actually wondered about this when it happened. Why did the police arrive? They didn't call them. Perhaps the Vicar did, but again, why? As far as we know, we wasn't a witness to anything criminal. My only guess is that they came at the request of the German police. Would there have been enough time after she sent the photo of the twins to Germany for this to have happened? At the time, I just figured it was convenient for the story, and let it go (like a deus ex machina).
Savita wrote: "Well , Wobbley, I sure have to offer my reluctant Congratulations to you , reluctant because my face has become like this 👉 .. 🤢 .. ie , green with envy 😉😊..."Haha, thanks Savita. :) Actually, in a way it's more fun if you don't guess it in advance. But I find with Mary Stewart that even if I guess a lot in advance, the execution is still enjoyable.
Savita wrote: "Wobbley wrote: "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, s..."
I am not laughing at you. I think your posts are very insightful. l could just tell where you were in the book. Mary Stewart puts so many misdirections in the book that we all think James is marvelous, until we don't, and so on.
Wobbley wrote: "Savita wrote: "But the police did arrive in the end..."I actually wondered about this when it happened. Why did the police arrive? They didn't call them. Perhaps the Vicar did, but again, why? As..."
I assumed the flood was obvious even from a distance and the police had come to investigate. That is if I'm thinking of the correct place in the book.
Lynn wrote: "I assumed the flood was obvious even from a distance and the police had come to investigate. That is if I'm thinking of the correct place in the book."
Yes, that's the right place in the book. You're right, this might be why they came.
Lynn wrote: "Savita wrote: "Wobbley wrote: "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: I..."
Msg 184 : Lynn , no , absolutely not.. I didn't, for a moment, think you were ever laughing at me ! Let me explain.
Actually , not only now but also much earlier on , in this same thread , you had remarked that you found my comments very insightful.
In msg 171 , when you had said , " your comments are so fun to read .. " , you obviously meant comments like in msg 166 , where I had , in a lighter vein ( to prevent the comment from becoming too ponderous) given Mr Emory a laaarge chunk of my mind , and , with intended elabourate sarcasm , sympathetically told him that ... interfering, meddling, tiresome Heaven is , unfortunately , not on his side ! ... . I never misunderstood your smiling response , Lynn , rather I thought it was a sweet thing to say , and even put a 💖 emoji there .... 😊 ! Also I thought you'll have a good laugh at the 🤢 emoji I put in my comment to Wobbley.. I meant it that way 😊 .
Incidentally, Luffy, in another thread , called it my playful side ! He's not wrong 😊 .
Wobbley wrote: "Lynn wrote: "I assumed the flood was obvious even from a distance and the police had come to investigate. That is if I'm thinking of the correct place in the book."
Yes, that's the right place in..."
Yes , I suppose like an emergency , disaster response team .
Also , I can't remember for sure, but didn't Bryony mention her uneasiness about James'pen to someone other than Rob ? The vicar ?? .. , Dr Gothard ( Germany ) ?? .. Leslie Oker ( bookstore keeper) ??
When the flood happened, maybe someone alerted the police from the crime suspicion angle also .
Well Savita, the shoestring plot and not that memorable characters should have taken effect by now. Where in the world, are you drawing this power from?
Savita wrote: "Also , I can't remember for sure, but didn't Bryony mention her uneasiness about James'pen to someone other than Rob ? The vicar ?? .. , Dr Gothard ( Germany ) ?? .. Leslie Oker ( bookstore keeper) ??"Yes, she sent their photo to Germany and asked them to give it to the police to see if anyone had seen someone who looked like the cousins.
Luffy Sempai wrote: "Well Savita, the shoestring plot and not that memorable characters should have taken effect by now. Where in the world, are you drawing this power from?"Actually , Luffy , it may not be fully right to dismiss the plot as a shoestring one ... the curious thing is that the game of challenges / an intriguing game of chess ..in this story , in retrospect, seems to be playing out between Emory and... Beware Spoilers [ .. a now decided Heaven, more than human adversaries ( human courts ) . There's a long window period of repentance that Heaven gives to us before the .. mills of God actually start grinding , and Mr Emerson 's words don't sound so funny when viewed , in retrospect, at the end of the novel : the revealations that start rolling out , one after another, throw Emory into a panicked desperation of a maniac ( was it not Leslie Oker 's phone call to Bryony , in Emory's presence, that revealed that Rob is a legitimate heir - I'll do some rereading tomorrow to confirm) .. he then hit Bryony on the head , opened the High Sluice.. and thought now it was all his for taking.. 🤔 . Actually, the flood revealed, in its wake , the invaluable Roman villa to Bryony and Rob ; and it's quite possible that the flood actually killed Emory . If not, human justice would take over from here . So , like Mr Emerson said , what at that time I found really hilarious, that .. .. the Mills of God work like lightning compared to our human courts ! Yes , indeed , the Mills of God did work like lightning ( a sort of pun here too .. no not a pun , but I can't figure out what figure of speech 🤨🤔 .. the terrible storm that came that night { at the end of the story } could only be the work of Nature , and young Emory thought opening the High Sluice would now reliably fulfill his wishes .. God sent the storm , yes , but not the way Emory thought it would work .
Further , it's the job of the human courts to decide about Rob's heir status and the future of Ashley Court. But justice has already been meted out by that highest court upstairs, that Supreme Court .. ( once again I will mention, in Charles Dickens ' simple but striking words 🤔🕯) . End of Spoiler-
I don't know, Luffy , whether you'll agree or not , but this story had a curious plot if you see retrospectively. Please opine .
Oh yes , one more comment: when Heaven is on your side , not the force of the whole, wide world , on the other side , can harm a hair on your head.. I am thinking of Rob , of Bryony, of that gentle dreamer Francis ( absolutely unwordlywise) and of Bryony 's father ( his dying concern and anxiety for his daughter 's safety ) . There's a Christian hymn we used to sing in our school 's morning assembly sometimes: God moves in mysterious ways... . Yes, I think that's true ... in this story , and also in our real lives 🤔🕯.[ I've got that hymn book still . If this particular hymn is included, I will mention a line or two more . Maybe other members may be familiar with this hymn ? ]
Wobbley wrote: "Savita wrote: "Also , I can't remember for sure, but didn't Bryony mention her uneasiness about James'pen to someone other than Rob ? The vicar ?? .. , Dr Gothard ( Germany ) ?? .. Leslie Oker ( bo..."Oh , okay , so it may have been the collaboration between the German police and the English . Whichever way , the net had closed over Emory .. alive or dead . 🤔
Savita wrote: "I don't know, Luffy , whether you'll agree or not , but this story had a curious plot if you see retrospectively. Please opine.I don't know. It's all been said. The plot is stretched over the words like band-aids. I like the story of a young woman coming into her inheritance. I think opportunities to see her wield her wealth had been forgone in favour of romance and gothic suspense. Bryony is not a feminist heroine. I don't know why the author played such a daft hand.
Luffy Sempai wrote: "Savita wrote: "I don't know, Luffy , whether you'll agree or not , but this story had a curious plot if you see retrospectively. Please opine.I don't know. It's all been said. The plot is stretch..."
Luffy , I do want to mention one or two points in answer to your post ( 193 ) , not with the idea of trying to convince you, or to change your mind ( to like , or not to like .. romance and gothic suspense is very much a personal choice ) , but to mention the famous short story , not a novella, just a very short story , that possibly you may have already read sometime, of King Midas and his very beloved daughter . Understanding the importance of money in our lives doesn't need to be taught to any adult . But when money becomes an ever expanding greed , an obsession , an absolute priority... well , that's quite dangerous ( as for Emory ) . Craze for money and status prestige very many times swallows up tender , even precious bonds of love ( within families, or with friends and acquaintances) . This story , King Midas and his daughter illustrates this unfortunate human tendency / failing ..in an exquisitely beautiful manner! It is convincing, it leaves a life long impression!
Also , I want to mention Rob's awkward position, in his relationship with Bryony, Beware Spoilers before it was revealed that he is an Ashley. End of Spoiler .
But I need one or two days before I can make the post , because of a few non fiction world pending commitments, plus I want to reread the part where Leslie phones Bryony in Emory's presence, and I want to find that hymn I had mentioned.. so relevant to this story 🤔 . So , Luffy , will be back as soon as I can , and meanwhile, if you've the time , you could read up King Midas ' story. You'll be astonished and you will have to smile too .
Savita wrote: "Luffy Sempai wrote: "Savita wrote: "I don't know, Luffy , whether you'll agree or not , but this story had a curious plot if you see retrospectively. Please opine.I don't know. It's all been said..."
Hi Savita. I have read King Midas's story. What I like about the Greek is there even handedness in gender. E.g. Pandora's Box. Pandora goofs up like the King Midas, and there is a happy ending of sorts.
Bryony could have been corrupted by her trust etc. And I would have loved to read this story. The characters are not real, so me not weighing the corruption of a fictional character is not on.
Savita wrote: "Luffy Sempai wrote: "Well Savita, the shoestring plot and not that memorable characters should have taken effect by now. Where in the world, are you drawing this power from?"Actually , Luffy , i..."
I wondered, but cannot prove by text, if Bryony's father had discovered the identity of the true heir and demonstrated integrity in refused to sell when Emory and James' father had approached him to do so. I had the feeling both older fathers knew the full truth from researching the trust. That truth is why Emory and James were so desperate to push sale through. The thing the twins couldn't know was Rob and Emory's relationship.
Lynn wrote: "I wondered, but cannot prove by text, if Bryony's father had discovered the identity of the true heir and demonstrated integrity in refused to sell when Emory and James' father had approached him to do so.."Yes Lynn, this was more or less my conclusion too. The text implies it I think. The father suddenly refused to sell after he found the document proving a different line for the heir, and he said he'd rather Bryony marry Rob than anyone else.
I came to the same conclusion.
Lynn wrote: "I wondered, but cannot prove by text, if Bryony's father had discovered the identity of the true heir and demonstrated integrity in refused to sell when Emory and James' father had approached him to do so. I had the feeling both older fathers knew the full truth from researching the trust. That truth is why Emory and James were so desperate to push sale through. The thing the twins couldn't know was Rob and Emory's relationship..."I agree. I like that Stewart doesn't feel the need to explain every little detail, but lets us think things through and make our own conclusions. To me it can make a story more interesting than one that holds my hand all the way through. But it might be trickier for readers who are new to the genre, as mysteries like that need a different way of reading, perhaps?
Teri-K wrote: "Lynn wrote: "I wondered, but cannot prove by text, if Bryony's father had discovered the identity of the true heir and demonstrated integrity in refused to sell when Emory and James' father had app..."True. The first few books I read by Mary Stewart like My Brother Michael, were a bit confusing to me way back when. I think the more you read a particular author you more you get to know him or her and understand the writing. That's why I love when we focus on the fuller catalogue of a few authors rather than scatter around one book per author, one place and time after another.
Catching up on Classics (and lots more!)
Books mentioned in this topic
My Brother Michael (other topics)The King Must Die (other topics)
The King Must Die (other topics)
The King Must Die (other topics)
My Brother Michael (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Mary Stewart (other topics)Mary Renault (other topics)
Mary Renault (other topics)
Mary Stewart (other topics)
Mary Renault (other topics)
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I agree with your points Teri. I really like the author's style and have really enjoyed the other two ones I've read from her. Even the book which I feel is not as good as others definitely deserves the benefit of the doubt. I'm pretty sure I can pick up other books from her and be pretty confident I would enjoy them .