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The Shadow Catcher
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The Shadow Catcher
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Page 43. Three important introductory phases shaped by the Author, from page13 to 43:• The rejection of Maddy's family from Eden: We can read Maddy's wonder, surprise, disappointment, and anger... The Officer in the Forbidden Kingdom had a reaction definitely too harsh for a child. Michelle Paver is clearly defining Maggy from the very beginning of the story as a grown-up locked and invalidated in a child body, a ripe and roundly formed core stuck in its unripe fruit. We consequently wonder what she's going to be like as a grown-up freed from the little body...
• Maddy's assistance to her mother in labor. The Author demonstrates one more time what little Maddy, ten years old and yet strong, curious and resistant is capable of. Tentative and tough, she takes her mother through the deadly process of giving birth: We can feel from the book the hardship of growing up instantly, skipping so many steps. We can read the difficulty of a young body to perform and witness a grown-up activity. We can see Maggy's heart and soul shattered, and then feel all the pieces gathering together and form a resistant, and soldier-like heart and soul, losing gradually it's sensitiveness. Is Michelle Paver going to tell us the story of a lady with a emotionless heart or is she going to get it back? Is the universe going to play on her some reverse tricks that will give Maggy her childhood back and all the happiness and innocence and ignorance she is entitled to at this so beautiful age? Has Maggy really lost her childhood by helping her mother bringing her sister to 'light' ?
• Maddy's mother death: Maggy clearly hadn't thought about death. Did she have to? She's only ten. But now she has to face it. She clearly doesn't know how. We even get the feeling that she cannot believe it. But she seems so indifferent, so calm, so on her guard..
Any different perception of those first pages of the book, don't hesitate to share your views guys!!!! (*_*)
P.S. I'm an enthusiastic learner of English. Please do not mind any grammar mistakes you'll encounter here. (^_^)
Page 43 to 61. A background shaped on immoralities, betrayals, disappointments, lies and death. So much blood. The two sons are in the army, Ainsley's legitimate son death, the bloody battles in the desert, Maddy's struggle with her mother bleeding, her mother's death...• The Shell: Madeleine's shell to support and protect herself from the too heavy and too grown-ups events that fall onto her little innocent hands yet tainted with blood...
Any thought on the meaningfulness of Madeleine's taking care of her baby sister? What sense can we give to cousin Lettice's accusing Maddy of being tainted? Cameron accusing her family to have wrecked lives? But now Madeleine and her little sister are the only survivors of the Falkirk family.
Has anyone fell the sense of curse and fate that cousin Lettice put on Madeleine and her baby sister? Or are they really doomed? Is the author going to shape the rest of the story on the basis of Madeleine and her Sister misery?
Are we still eager to keep reading the book? Of course!!! As far as I'm concerned.. What about you?
End of part one. Just a confirmation of what we said earlier! Death, Regrets, Lies, Responsibilities....Madeleine's story seems to have started off on lies and ignominy. Cameron snapped at her, saying that she and her family have wrecked lives. Cousin Lettice said she and her family are tainted. Poor Madeleine is at a loss, left alone with her baby sister, and perfectly hidden in her shell, which is subjected to some unbearable situations that crack it.
She has lied to Cousin Lettice. Her mother lied to her. Her hands have touched blood. Everything has got off on a dark and bloody start. She might as well do the way she's unconsciously learned to do: lie. But then what?
The staying firm and silent of Cameron, his fidelity to honor his father and protect his brother reputation are worth more than his freedom. This would probably be the first loyal, genuine, and moral feeling Michelle Paver shows in the book.
Part two of The Shadow Catcher relates briefly but efficiently Madeleine's adolescence, which is not actually a regular adolescent's life, since she carries the heavy burden of rejection and lies she was born with and raised in. Thus she is equally sensitive to the statue Cousin Lettice impose on her, and Ben's miserable life.The strength of Madeleine is clear, when for example she threaten Ben and Robbie with a fake gun. Madeleine, though young and naive, reflects the strength and the assurance of a woman whose difficult experience has contributed to that firm personality. But is Maddy so strong and capable? Where is her shell?
The churchman sees her appropriate as his wife, since they both have something to be ashamed of. Sinclair of his penchant to lust, Madeleine of...what? Being illegitimate? The deep sense of responsibility and protection toward Sophie makes her accept Sinclair's proposition. But deep inside, the desire of being at Eden, and to get to know the people who rejected her is clearly apparent; and the Author illustrates that by discussing Madeleine's trouble to take a decision regarding Sinclair's offer. She first used the bible, then her sense..But after the longing of meeting her family overtook on the other feelings. Nevertheless, Madeleine's love and compassion toward her sister has long been proved especially when she posed for the photo: The need of money, the concern about Sophie's health and welfare.
Back to Eden..
Anyone who has already read the book, or is reading it, is very welcome to share his perception and his thoughts (without revealing everything until the end (^_^) ) !