I just posted my answers to the Hero and the Crown book discussion and didn't want my question for everyone to get overlooked, since I posted so late. So here it is..
Question: for those of you that haven't read the next book in this series (which includes myself) what do you think happens? (And no cheating and looking on book reviews.) Or if you have read it, what did you think before you read it?
Thanks!
Melissa
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
The Hero and the Crown Discussion
I really enjoyed reading this book, as I have enjoyed reading all of Robin McKinley's books. They are ones I could read again and again.
1. What did you think about Tor teaching Aerin how to sword fight? He knew he shouldn't be doing it, but he risks it anyways. Why does this say about him?
2. Did you expect Aerin to be able to defeat Maur? Did you expect it to be at such a price? Did you think the story would end there?
3. How did Aerin's relationship with Luthe make you feel? Do you think it is possible to love 2 people at the same time?
4. Aerin's half sister ( I forget her name exactly, Gallana?), her hair turns completely grey after her husband dies. It was referenced throughout the story that she wanted to marry Tor b/c he was the next in line to be king but had to settle for the second in line. Do you think she really did love her husband despite all the court intrigue and jealousies?
5. Ask your own question.
My answers:
1. I think Tor teaching Aerin how to do something she shouldn't know how to do shows that he views her as an equal. Even though she is a girl, he teaches her something male and that it would be looked down on if somebody knew, and even with this knowledge, he continues to do it. I think the sense of partnership he shows makes for a wise and fair king.
2. I'm so naive. I thought her kenet would protect her better than it did. I knew it would be a challenge but not that she would almost die. And her horse stayed true to her and by her side the whole time. I also didn't think that she would get so sick afterwards. But then again, the big dragons were described as demons and the little dragons were only like vermin, I should have expected Maur to be much more powerful and evil. And for whatever reason, I thought that Maur had the crown and after defeating him, she would find it and return the hero. I was so confused when there was still so much book left after she killed him.
3. Luthe bugged me. I guess b/c Tor was such a nice guy, and had been Aerin's friend when no one else had, and taught her how to sword fight and such. And then she just met Luthe and he was weird and she fell for him quick. Luthe seemed, for all his mageness, stupid and I couldn't see why she liked him. Not to mention that he was somewhat of a coward. Tor is out there fighting for his country and Luthe all holed up in the mountains. And I don't think you can love two people, not without hurting yourself and at least one of the others. Kinda like you cannot serve two masters, you end up loving one and despising the other. In the book, it even says that the immortal part of Aerin buried itself so she could love Tor and her country the way she needed too.
*Robin McKinley got a lot of flack for the whole Aerin/Tor/Luthe love triangle. I read about it on her blog.
4. It was hard for me to believe that she loved anyone when she could be so mean to Aerin, and even still after getting married, flirt with Tor. How can someone so malicious be capable of love? But after she simmered down and all her hair turned grey after her husband died, I think she finally realized that she loved her husband and that she needed to change.
1. What did you think about Tor teaching Aerin how to sword fight? He knew he shouldn't be doing it, but he risks it anyways. Why does this say about him?
2. Did you expect Aerin to be able to defeat Maur? Did you expect it to be at such a price? Did you think the story would end there?
3. How did Aerin's relationship with Luthe make you feel? Do you think it is possible to love 2 people at the same time?
4. Aerin's half sister ( I forget her name exactly, Gallana?), her hair turns completely grey after her husband dies. It was referenced throughout the story that she wanted to marry Tor b/c he was the next in line to be king but had to settle for the second in line. Do you think she really did love her husband despite all the court intrigue and jealousies?
5. Ask your own question.
My answers:
1. I think Tor teaching Aerin how to do something she shouldn't know how to do shows that he views her as an equal. Even though she is a girl, he teaches her something male and that it would be looked down on if somebody knew, and even with this knowledge, he continues to do it. I think the sense of partnership he shows makes for a wise and fair king.
2. I'm so naive. I thought her kenet would protect her better than it did. I knew it would be a challenge but not that she would almost die. And her horse stayed true to her and by her side the whole time. I also didn't think that she would get so sick afterwards. But then again, the big dragons were described as demons and the little dragons were only like vermin, I should have expected Maur to be much more powerful and evil. And for whatever reason, I thought that Maur had the crown and after defeating him, she would find it and return the hero. I was so confused when there was still so much book left after she killed him.
3. Luthe bugged me. I guess b/c Tor was such a nice guy, and had been Aerin's friend when no one else had, and taught her how to sword fight and such. And then she just met Luthe and he was weird and she fell for him quick. Luthe seemed, for all his mageness, stupid and I couldn't see why she liked him. Not to mention that he was somewhat of a coward. Tor is out there fighting for his country and Luthe all holed up in the mountains. And I don't think you can love two people, not without hurting yourself and at least one of the others. Kinda like you cannot serve two masters, you end up loving one and despising the other. In the book, it even says that the immortal part of Aerin buried itself so she could love Tor and her country the way she needed too.
*Robin McKinley got a lot of flack for the whole Aerin/Tor/Luthe love triangle. I read about it on her blog.
4. It was hard for me to believe that she loved anyone when she could be so mean to Aerin, and even still after getting married, flirt with Tor. How can someone so malicious be capable of love? But after she simmered down and all her hair turned grey after her husband died, I think she finally realized that she loved her husband and that she needed to change.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Book discussion on Thursday!
I am so excited to talk about our book on Thursday! Yay! And for once I"m ahead of my schedule and have started reading next months book.
I can't wait to hear your thoughts.
I can't wait to hear your thoughts.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Discussion!!
This was such a fun read. So now on to the questions...
1. Name one of Jane's commentaries on life that you enjoyed.
ie: The part where Henry and Catherine are talking about motives and people in their circle. Henry is talking above Catherine and she states quite plainly " I do not understand you." Henry replies, "Then we are on bery unequal terms, for I understand you perfectly well." Catherine:"Me? Yer; I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible."
I love this part. It is such a commentary on those people who use language and their own opinions to raise themselves above others. I thought it was such a clever moment and such a loud statement in very simple terms.
I also love the commentary in the beginning where Jane is talking to her readers in that she states that there is no shame in her heroines reading novel. She carries on for a good two paragraphs on the hipocrasy of writing novels and then having your heroines too virtuous to ever touch a novel. I laughed out loud. I thought this too was so clever.
2. What theme stood out most to you?
I think that one of the strongest statements made was to not judge a situation based on the perceptions of others. (Particularly Isabella or John Thorpe) I think though these characters were exaggerated, they are found in everyday life. They are the "all around experts" and Jane cautions us to be careful of them. To judge a situation or person based on facts gathered from more than one source and hopefully above all else gathered from the person themself. I think this was made apparent in the father judging Catherine based on John's opinion as well as Catherine judging the Father based on her imagination and facts gathered on her own.
3. Comment on your overall opinion of the story.
I agree with the earlier comment. At times Catherine was a little too naive. I think Jane exaggerated all of her characters in order to make a greater statement. I did feel that the story though less complex than her others, was very clever and very enjoyable. I laughed out loud many times and found many delightful scenes. One of my favorites being the "proposal" hint by John Thorpe and Catherine's naive responses. I loved the conversation in this scene. It was so clever. Again I laughed out loud. I love it when a book brings that strong an emotional response.
4. Bonus question! Compare Catherine to your favorite Austin heroine.
I choose Lizzy from Pride and Prejudice. Lizzy to me is such a dynamic character. She is witty, and strong willed. She is intelligent and human. She jumps to conclusions and judges poor Mr Darcy harshly, but admits her mistake and is wise enough to recognize when she is wrong. Catherine is naive, though in that naivity is still witty unintentionally. She is a bit more rash, but very humble and quickly admits her faults and rectifies them. She is sweet tempered and trusts very easily. She learns from her mistakes. Both characters though very different are enjoyable.
Have a super week ladies!
1. Name one of Jane's commentaries on life that you enjoyed.
ie: The part where Henry and Catherine are talking about motives and people in their circle. Henry is talking above Catherine and she states quite plainly " I do not understand you." Henry replies, "Then we are on bery unequal terms, for I understand you perfectly well." Catherine:"Me? Yer; I cannot speak well enough to be unintelligible."
I love this part. It is such a commentary on those people who use language and their own opinions to raise themselves above others. I thought it was such a clever moment and such a loud statement in very simple terms.
I also love the commentary in the beginning where Jane is talking to her readers in that she states that there is no shame in her heroines reading novel. She carries on for a good two paragraphs on the hipocrasy of writing novels and then having your heroines too virtuous to ever touch a novel. I laughed out loud. I thought this too was so clever.
2. What theme stood out most to you?
I think that one of the strongest statements made was to not judge a situation based on the perceptions of others. (Particularly Isabella or John Thorpe) I think though these characters were exaggerated, they are found in everyday life. They are the "all around experts" and Jane cautions us to be careful of them. To judge a situation or person based on facts gathered from more than one source and hopefully above all else gathered from the person themself. I think this was made apparent in the father judging Catherine based on John's opinion as well as Catherine judging the Father based on her imagination and facts gathered on her own.
3. Comment on your overall opinion of the story.
I agree with the earlier comment. At times Catherine was a little too naive. I think Jane exaggerated all of her characters in order to make a greater statement. I did feel that the story though less complex than her others, was very clever and very enjoyable. I laughed out loud many times and found many delightful scenes. One of my favorites being the "proposal" hint by John Thorpe and Catherine's naive responses. I loved the conversation in this scene. It was so clever. Again I laughed out loud. I love it when a book brings that strong an emotional response.
4. Bonus question! Compare Catherine to your favorite Austin heroine.
I choose Lizzy from Pride and Prejudice. Lizzy to me is such a dynamic character. She is witty, and strong willed. She is intelligent and human. She jumps to conclusions and judges poor Mr Darcy harshly, but admits her mistake and is wise enough to recognize when she is wrong. Catherine is naive, though in that naivity is still witty unintentionally. She is a bit more rash, but very humble and quickly admits her faults and rectifies them. She is sweet tempered and trusts very easily. She learns from her mistakes. Both characters though very different are enjoyable.
Have a super week ladies!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Northanger Abbey
I just wanted to let everyone know I wasn't going to be able to discuss this months book. I waited too long to get it from the library and all of them were checked out in the ones by me. Now I have one on order and it will be available in a week...
I heard you all say it was wonderful...so I can't wait to get it. All the high school/college kids must be reading it or either another book club borrowed our idea. I am excited for next months book and am going to request it now.
I heard you all say it was wonderful...so I can't wait to get it. All the high school/college kids must be reading it or either another book club borrowed our idea. I am excited for next months book and am going to request it now.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Upcoming schedule
Jessie, I can't remember if we picked a day for you to start the discussion. Since this is the last week of the month, feel free to start it any time.
As for the upcoming schedule, I posted what we have in the side column. I've asked Tam and Ashley if they would like to lead May and June. And Michelle will be emailing me soon with her book choice for April.
As for the upcoming schedule, I posted what we have in the side column. I've asked Tam and Ashley if they would like to lead May and June. And Michelle will be emailing me soon with her book choice for April.
Saturday, February 23, 2008
March Book
Sorry for not getting this out sooner. I think for March we will read one of the books I got from the Library. There were 4 that I wanted to read, but narrowed it down to the one I chose. Which is The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley. I know Lisa has read a lot of her books so I apologize if it is a repeat for her or anyone else, but I am totally in a Robin McKinley mood as I just finished Spindle's End and it was amazingly good. We'll discuss it on Thursday, March 27th.
Happy Reading!!
Friday, February 22, 2008
Schedule???
I can't remember if we ever made a schedule for the next few months? And when are we discussing Northanger Abbey? Speaking of Jane Austin, I just watched "The Jane Austin Book Club," and it was really fun. I wasn't expecting it to be anything special, but my husband is out of town and so I decided to watch a chick flick. It was very fun and made me want to reread all the books :).
Friday, February 8, 2008
In Bronx School, Culture Shock, Then Revival
Since we recently read "My name is Asher Lev," I thought I'd share this interesting story from the NY Times about a Hasidic Jew becoming the principle of a failing school in the Bronx.
Talk about a tough job! Here is the link.
I'd love to hear your thoughts.
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