The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova Read Along Part 1

This year my participation in R.I.P. VIII is somewhat limited as I only have time for this Read Along. However, you can find links to everyone else’s posts at The Estella Society.

So far we have read up to the end of Chapter 40 (it is quite a long book!).

1. What do you think of the structure of the novel? It’s a story within a story (sort of within a story). We have Professor Rossi’s storyline, Paul’s reflections, and the daughter’s adventures. And letters. There’s a lot going on!

This technique increases the feel of a historian uncovering pieces of evidence about an event, which seems appropriate because of the title and the professions of several of the protagonists. However, it does also produce two major problems.

Firstly, it slows the narrative a great deal. Some might argue that this structure allows us to follow both journeys in parallel so that we can presumably have all the ‘big reveals’ at the end of the book. Personally, I find it a little bloated and I wish that the narrative of the earlier timelines had been entirely restricted to letters or documents read by the narrator. It is almost as if the author could not decide which story was more important and so she tried to ‘cover all her bases’.  

Secondly, it never allows us to address the problem of unreliable narrative. Although almost all the people we deal with are academics, and shown to be highly successful in their respective fields, we see very little critical thinking on display. There are passing remarks about how they would normally distrust such bizarre accounts, but that they trust the source and therefore believe every word as the honest truth. This lack of scholarly vigor is somewhat irritating and creates a house of cards based on very little direct evidence and a lot of opinion.

2. What are your thoughts on Helen’s characterization? Have you warmed to her?

As a person who was highly unimpressed by the man who would become my husband when we first met, I can relate to Paul’s changing opinions of Helen. However, I would be much happier if he simply said that she was the mother of his child, instead of hinting at it repeatedly. I also thought that striking resemblance between her and Dracula was done in a rather heavy-handed way. I presume that Helen’s mother will reveal (shock, horror!) that she is a descendent of the great man, as are Helen and the narrator. These hints would work more successfully if the narration had been written at the time that it occurred. However, it is recorded many years after the important points have been revealed to Paul so it comes across as clumsy.

Helen seems like the most practical and straightforward of our lead characters, so I liked her from the beginning. Unlike Paul, who shows a great deal of cowardice and over-protection in his handling of his daughter, Helen is fairly fearless and willing to do whatever is necessary.

3. What do you think of the peripheral characters? Are their motivations pure? I’m thinking of Turget, Helen’s family members, etc.

There seems to be very little gray in the matter of the secondary characters: they are either good or bad. Although I can admire Turget, Eva and Barley and their determination to help our protagonists, I do feel as if they are a little too nice and perfect. This leads to a lack of conflict and negotiation amongst the characters, which is unfortunate because it makes them a little too two-dimensional. It also adds to the feeling that they are simply there to move the plot along.

4. Other thoughts on this book?

There is an awful lot of excess detail in this book, which is starting to get in the way of the plot. I can appreciate the exacting research that has obviously been conducted and the author does paint some wonderfully evocative portraits of the places that our narrators visit. However, they visit so many places that I am beginning to get rather fed up of the endless descriptions. I honestly do not need to know about what they eat or what the decor is like in their hotel every time they stay somewhere. I feel as though the book’s editor should have been much aggressive with their red pen.

Wintersmith by Terry Pratchett Read Along Part 2

If you haven't read the book, or the whole series, why not join in and read along with the rest of us? This week the links to the other posts can be found at Over the Effing Rainbow.

This week we read through to the end of Chapter 7.

1. "I'm not here..." At Miss Treason's funeral, we see Tiffany get the better of the Feegles, sneaky though they are! What do you think of the way Tiffany's 'witching' is getting better here?

I really like the way that Tiffany develops her powers slowly and by exposure to new situations. It makes a nice change from the all too common instant super powers of many protagonists in Fantasy, especially YA. I also love how so much of being a witch is common sense and psychology. I know that it is rather insulting to the ‘normal’ people, but it is a hilarious take on the idea of magic and the actual talents of the real, historical witches.

Coming from Lancaster, I was brought up hearing about the Pendle Witches, who were imprisoned in Lancaster Castle and then hung in the city. It seems that intolerance and superstition were the main causes of the accusations that led to the convictions, with a moral vacuum allowing neighbors to turn on each other and victimize the poorest and most unusual in the area. I would love to see Granny Weatherwax facing down a court that tried to accuse her of cackling too much! :D

2. It's decided that Annagramma gets the cottage, at the meeting of witches - but we learn that Mistress Weatherwax put Tiffany forward for it. Do you think Tiffany should have gotten the cottage?

I am not sure that Tiffany should have got it automatically, but I certainly do not think that Annagramma is ready to face this challenge because she has been taught so little about real witching as Ms Treason did it. I am sure that there are many forms of witching and many ways of handling the locals that you care for, but Anna does not seem to have been educated to care for a community at all. In fact, I am not sure what exactly she has been prepared for, apart from being an outrageous snob.

I predict that Anna will do a terrible job, have a nervous break down and Tiffany will need to pick up the pieces. However, I had always assumed that Tiffany would go back to the Chalk, so I am not sure that I want to see her take over as the witch in this particular area.

3. Nanny Ogg appears at last, to take Tiffany in while the Wintersmith's about. Next to Mistress Weatherwax, she's my favorite of the witches! What do you think of her so far?

Nanny Ogg seems to be almost the total opposite of Granny Weatherwax, although they are both very wise and powerful. Somehow I imagine that they are best friends and have the greatest respect for each other, although they would never admit that to anyone else. I can also see them working together secretly as ‘good cop / bad cop’ in order to manipulate people into getting what they want. I am dying to know more about Nanny’s past and why she has such a dirty laugh! :D

4. We learn a little more about "the dance" that Tiffany interrupted, now - and I love the summer-winter mythology that's explained to her here. What's your take on the effect it's having on Tiffany (and her feet)? And do you think we'll be seeing more of the Summer Lady as well as the Wintersmith?

It makes sense that the Wintersmith creates snow and ice whilst the Summer Lady makes plants grow and flourish. At first I thought they kept asking about her feet because they had pulled her into the Dance, but this makes much more sense. I loved the growing floorboards and the aged onion seeds and I have to commend Nanny Ogg on her practical use of Tiffany’s feet to supplement her larder!

If they are right, and Tiffany is becoming the Summer Lady, then we will obviously see much more of her abilities manifesting themselves through the big wee hag. If they are wrong, then the Summer Lady herself will show up to see who is messing up her part of the Dance and getting all the attention. I predict much mayhem will ensue whichever occurs.

5. Poor Annagramma ... I'm starting to have a little more sympathy for her now, as she turns up desperately seeking skulls! Do you think she's got what it takes to be a good witch, when it counts? Or is her case as hopeless as it seems?

I suppose I can agree to feel sympathy for Anna, after all she is only regurgitating the garbage that Mrs Earwig has taught her and does not know how stupid she actually is. I think she could make a good witch, if she can only forget most of her previous training and start to listen to advice from other witches. She might have learnt something from Tiffany during these few cases, but she did seem somewhat oblivious to what was actually being done, so I am not sure. If she does not change soon the villagers will riot and she might find herself being replaced the mad old lady with the moldy leaf poultices.

6. Oh, dear. Rob Anybody has a Plan ... With all of the seriousness surrounding what Tiffany's gotten herself into, do you think the Feegles can help her this time? Or are even they in over their heads?

Ah yes, Rob’s Plan. I was a little disappointed that he did not decide to make it more official and write it down this time around, but then I was surprised that it involved something other than drinking, fighting and stealing! I loved the scene with the freezing librarians and their total inability to even think of burning their books – that would be me! :D

One great thing about the Feegles is that they are never overwhelmed by any situation: they always assume that they can survive somehow and are natural optimists. However, I think their almost total lack of Romantic skill, with the possible exception of Rob Anybody, will be a problem this time around as they cannot simply head-butt their way out of this situation. However, at least they are doing something other than standing about shouting “Wailey! Wailey! Wailey!”

Other Thoughts

One of the aspects that I love about Terry Pratchett’s writing is that he always includes such memorable side characters. I loved the showdown between You, the kitten, and the mighty, and certainly evil, Greebo: I have seen similar interactions many times and it always makes me laugh. I also love Horace and the thought of him as an adopted Feegle, with kilt, had me giggling away for quite some time.

The Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan: Week 7

If you haven't read the book, or the whole series, why not join in and read along with the rest of us? This week the links to the other posts can be found at the bottom of this post.

This week we read through to the end of Chapter 44.

1. As usual, things have changed quite rapidly and Nynaeve now knows the location of the rebel Aes Sedai and has gained a personal ‘army’ of Shienarans. Do we really believe that Galad intends to let the girls leave without telling his superiors in the Whitecloaks? What reception do you expect them to receive when they reach Salidar?

I have great difficulty in believing that Galad can lie to his superiors, even by omission, but he seems to be holding his oaths to Morgase above those to the Whitecloaks. However, I would not be surprised if he reported what happened to his commanding officer soon after the girls leave the city, which could turn out to be a major problem. I am very concerned that the Whitecloaks seem to know where the rebel Aes Sedai are gathered, so they would have a good idea where to start looking for them. On the whole, I think I would avoid Galad like the plague if I were Nynaeve.

We saw that the Salidar Aes Sedai are trying to carry on as if nothing has changed, so they will automatically treat the girls as the Accepted that they are. They will probably dismiss Nynaeve’s account of besting Moghedien as a self-serving lie and try to squash the girls back into their ‘place’. However, the girls’ successes do speak for themselves and they have proven their strength with the One Power to be greater than almost any of the Sisters present at Salidar. We know that strength in the Power is used to create the ‘pecking order’ within the ranks of the Aes Sedai, so perhaps the girls will be treated with a little more respect and raised to the shawl. I get the feeling that Siuan will argue for the later, but I am not sure how many other Sisters will be able to accept this change in their world order. 

2. It seems that both Rand and the Cairhien are using innovative technology to break the siege. However, my biggest worry is that only the Aiel can distinguish between the Shaido and the other clans. Any suggestions for how to avoid the loyal Aiel falling to ‘friendly fire’ from the non-Aiel taking part in the battle?

I have to assume that Rand knows the battle orders and so he knows where ‘his’ Aiel should be moving. However, once they converge on the Shaido it will be impossible to tell them apart. I had hoped that someone would have mentioned this issue and made a plan to avoid problems, but it did not happen. It would have taken something as simple as a colored armband or something . . .

3. We are seeing open animosity between the Cairhien and Tairens. Do you think that this is typical of the hostility between neighbors, or is it more to do with the social status of the two groups? Do you think that Rand will ever be able to unite the various societies and social groupings to create a single force for the Last Battle?

The Tairens seem to be very dismissive of the Cairhien, but I am not sure why they feel this way. I would hope that the majority of the army members are actually more like the Cairhien that we see here: well organized and more interested in accomplishing military targets than gaining personal glory. If Rand can convince the common men that he is truly the Dragon Reborn and their only hope of salvation in the Last Battle, then he might just succeed in uniting the nations. It does seem unlikely though.

4. Poor Mat! It would seem that the Pattern still wants him to stay near to Rand. Do you think that he should simply give up trying and come to terms with his role as Rand’s military advisor? Also, how cross do you think Melindhra will be that he tried to sneak away?

It seems that Mat has a significant role to play and that anything he does will inevitably lead him back to Rand, at least at the moment. I am quite sure that he would save himself a whole load of angst if he could just accept his fate and make the best of the situation. However, that would make the story a little less interesting, as well as going against his character, so I doubt that we will see it happen.

I think we have all agreed that we do not trust Melindhra, so I cannot imagine her being very happy that he tried to leave her behind. She obviously sees him as an important figure because of his closeness to Rand, which makes her position as his lover quite useful. I also feel as though she is not the kind of girl that men leave so Mat will have to deal with a very, very angry lady with sharp spears when she catches up with him. It should be entertaining!

5. Holy exploding hilltops, Batman! With just three channelers joining the battle we see a lot of mayhem and carnage. How effective do you think they are at defeating the Shaido? Is anyone else getting more than a little tired of Rand’s sexist attitude towards protecting women?

As I said earlier, I am very worried about the friendly fire aspect of this battle, so I am not sure how successful they have been. Also, we know that the Aiel are a very determined people, so I am not sure that they would be affected by these tactics, which are meant to terrorize them and make them turn and run. I am fairly certain that Couladin himself is fairly cowardly, but that does not mean that the Shaido, as a whole, will be broken by a few explosions and random earthquakes. I can see them being more freaked out by a prolonged downpour, but I would be almost disappointed if they were this easy to defeat.

Good grief, Rand! Enough already with the protecting of the girlies! The Maidens have chosen to be warriors and so should be treated just the same as the male soldiers in his army. Otherwise he is robbing them of their ability to chose how to live their lives: not that they are willing to let him do that, but I still find it irritating. I have sympathy with anyone who wants to protect civilians, but warrior women have chosen their own path. As we see here, his ‘protection’ does not work anyway, so he should just give them the respect that they deserve.

6. Sammael seems to have decided to act, and yet his attacks have been rather ineffective. Do you think that he was simply testing Rand’s strength, or did he really intend to kill or capture him?

Unless we have not actually read up to the end of the full battle, it seems that Sammael’s actions did not really do anything productive. We know that the four Forsaken had a plan to Link up and capture Rand, so either this did not work or they were planning it for a different time and place. I can easily see their alliance collapsing when it comes to them really trusting each other in the Linking, but we will need to wait and see if we are told what happened.

7. Finally, this battle seemed rather confusing to me and it was difficult to follow what exactly was happening. How did you feel about this aspect of the narrative? Would you have preferred a clearer account or not?

I am in two minds about this question. Although I enjoy the way that we are shown the confusion of a large battle from an individual’s perspective, I would have liked a little more idea of what was happening. I assume that we will get this detail in the aftermath of the action, when everyone gathers together to exchange notes. I can appreciate that real battles have that feeling, but I had always imagined that at least one person would have an overall view of what was happening so that reinforcements could be sent in where needed.

Most exasperating of all is not knowing Couladin’s fate. I do hope that Mat nailed him or tied him up for a good, old-fashioned, public hanging, but we shall see . . .

Dab of Darkness     Musings on Fantasia