I'm gonna just postthe rest of the questions for the discussion.
Although she doesn't know it until after his death, Amy shares a pivotal experience with her grandfather. How did Amy reevaluate her life after she learned what happened to Poppa Fin? DOes Amy come to better understand her grandfather after what she discovers about him?
I think we discussed this but if you have more to add, please do.
Kathryn was interested in this:
Razi tells us,"Most of the ones who stayed between opted for the unknown-what was beyond-within weeks after their deaths." Why had Razi chosen to stay between decades after his death? What makes her decide it's finally time to go beyond?
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Sorry!
My power went out and I couldn't get on the computer. Sorry for that. You guys did great, though. I never thought about the fact that Amy was WRONG. I just felt that I understood those reasons why she did it. She had unresolved feelings, I think. Those are obviously very powerful.
Discussion question two-
How did Razi defy the conventions of society in the 1920s? If she had lived, do you think she would have fulfilled her dream of becoming a doctor, or set aside that ambition for marriage and motherhood? Given the time period, would it be realistic for her to have done both?
This was another great thing about the story for me. The discussion of birth control and woman's rights in the past and present.
I loved that Razi was so brave and so strong in her beliefs. I think that she loved Andrew and wanted to be with him but I don't think she would have let that stop her. She was going to become a doctor. She drug her feet with his proposal, she didn't turn around to get his ring and letter, she lingered on in her grief (as Kate talks about in the comments below) not really actively searching for Andrew...
Discussion question two-
How did Razi defy the conventions of society in the 1920s? If she had lived, do you think she would have fulfilled her dream of becoming a doctor, or set aside that ambition for marriage and motherhood? Given the time period, would it be realistic for her to have done both?
This was another great thing about the story for me. The discussion of birth control and woman's rights in the past and present.
I loved that Razi was so brave and so strong in her beliefs. I think that she loved Andrew and wanted to be with him but I don't think she would have let that stop her. She was going to become a doctor. She drug her feet with his proposal, she didn't turn around to get his ring and letter, she lingered on in her grief (as Kate talks about in the comments below) not really actively searching for Andrew...
The Mercy of Thin Air
I finished the book last night at about 1AM and I loved it. I really loved that there are so many topics to discuss. It's the perfect piece for a book club. I also think the writer's voice is really beautiful and touching. Even if, in this story anyway, a little confussing at times.
I guess first questions are:
-How did you feel about the story at the end of the book?
First discussion question from the back of the book-
-The narrative structure of Mercy alternates between the past and the present. How does this structure build suspense and pique a reader's curiosity about what will happen next? What insight do you get into the lives of Razi and the other characters because of the way the story is told?
I guess first questions are:
-How did you feel about the story at the end of the book?
First discussion question from the back of the book-
-The narrative structure of Mercy alternates between the past and the present. How does this structure build suspense and pique a reader's curiosity about what will happen next? What insight do you get into the lives of Razi and the other characters because of the way the story is told?
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Mercy Notes, Questions, Definitions, etc While Reading
-Raziela Nolan, Razi, New Orleans, 1920s (dies July 10, 1929)
-Andrew O'Connell
-Twolly Etoile Luna Knight- Star Moon (her youngest sis-Amy's grandma-Soliel "Sunny")
-Amy
-Scott
-Lionel, Nel
did not start this until page 88- Andrew has just met Razi's family.
Notes so far(but I'm adding all the time as I read and go back to the beginning to look things up, this is just mumbo-jumbo stuff):
-It's difficult at times to follow the dialogue (i.e.- who is saying what? is that him or her?)
-It's so NEW and fresh- the idea of the character being "between"
-it gets a little confusing for me- are we NOW or THEN?
-Grams tells Andrew, "Raziela did not anticipate you. Don't forget."
-hyperesthesia- an abnormally acute sense of pain,heat,cold or touch
-Why is Razi so drawn to Amy and Scott? Is it just because of Twolly? Does she know yet?
-Grandma Sunny died 3 months ago & Poppa Fin died shortly after
-What happened to Amy that put her in the hospital?
-They live in Baton Rouge. (I say cain't)
-On the picnic, Razi and Andrew discuss anima the Roman word that the Catholic Church translates as soul. Then, they discuss the heart. But not souls & hearts in the floaty romantic ways. But still
-sentient-conscious
-Chloe (Amy's friend), the clinic, Amy's manic cleaning
-birth control, the Catholic church, history, women's rights
-This part with the "between" Razi in Twolly's kitchen with her... it's so MUCH! OH! Standing there together but not, unable to touch or talk, oh!oh!oh!
-Simon Beeker, Emmaline's grandson. Emmaline is Andrew's housekeeper. Sarah, Benjamin- Simon's children
-Eugenia-"between"
-garrulous- talkative;wordy
-All Souls' Day
-Noble, the tortured "between" but aren't they all
-Valentine's Day- What sweetness lies in wait each time I bring your lips to
mine, a confection so perfect that its syrup infuses my daydreams
and becomes real when I close my eyes.
-*gasping at Amy's secret* and also I figured... Whoa! I sure know how to pick 'em. timing
-sex scene... grrrrrrr!! "I smolder" cookies, the grass, pessaries... oh goodness. still, the language is heart filling, for me
-So Scott knew Jem? Am I slow or are we just learning this? pg179
-"over educated girls become barren women" ha! is that true for natural intelligence
-reading Amy describe her "nightmare" to Chloe... pg188 ohhh nooo
-"You didn't survive to live this way." chloe says to amy
-How awful to be Amy- to love Scott but not like she did Jem. But never have Jem again. He is dead and so is there child. How awful to be Scott- to love Amy but not be enough simply because. It would almost be better if she were having an affair. He's MAD at her for telling him. She doesn't tell him what is going on for weeks and when she does he walks out. Just an observation...
-Raz pretends to drown, how very sad
-Want to discuss the role of women. How far women have come. Just imagine a time when simply because you were a woman, you could not do, learn, be... As women, what are we still fighting against? What are we fighting to get? pg212 Razi says,"I know I'm going to have to be twice as smart to get half as far."
-Noble's story of belief, his families deaths, his religion, his reasons for "staying" are compelling...
-Such a story of loves, Razi's parents had a great love- for each other and for her. I believe that is partly why she can be so brave and strong in her convictions. Razi and Andrew have their great love. Amy and Jem... I guess.
-Amy shows her Aunt Twolly the nude pics of Razi and she pretends not to know who Andrew is. What is going on? My heart is beating faster...
-Andrew did not attend Yale but Boston University
-Corrine, a name I LOVE!!!
-Amy's "Jem ritual", so haunting
continuing as I read...
-Andrew O'Connell
-Twolly Etoile Luna Knight- Star Moon (her youngest sis-Amy's grandma-Soliel "Sunny")
-Amy
-Scott
-Lionel, Nel
did not start this until page 88- Andrew has just met Razi's family.
Notes so far(but I'm adding all the time as I read and go back to the beginning to look things up, this is just mumbo-jumbo stuff):
-It's difficult at times to follow the dialogue (i.e.- who is saying what? is that him or her?)
-It's so NEW and fresh- the idea of the character being "between"
-it gets a little confusing for me- are we NOW or THEN?
-Grams tells Andrew, "Raziela did not anticipate you. Don't forget."
-hyperesthesia- an abnormally acute sense of pain,heat,cold or touch
-Why is Razi so drawn to Amy and Scott? Is it just because of Twolly? Does she know yet?
-Grandma Sunny died 3 months ago & Poppa Fin died shortly after
-What happened to Amy that put her in the hospital?
-They live in Baton Rouge. (I say cain't)
-On the picnic, Razi and Andrew discuss anima the Roman word that the Catholic Church translates as soul. Then, they discuss the heart. But not souls & hearts in the floaty romantic ways. But still
-sentient-conscious
-Chloe (Amy's friend), the clinic, Amy's manic cleaning
-birth control, the Catholic church, history, women's rights
-This part with the "between" Razi in Twolly's kitchen with her... it's so MUCH! OH! Standing there together but not, unable to touch or talk, oh!oh!oh!
-Simon Beeker, Emmaline's grandson. Emmaline is Andrew's housekeeper. Sarah, Benjamin- Simon's children
-Eugenia-"between"
-garrulous- talkative;wordy
-All Souls' Day
-Noble, the tortured "between" but aren't they all
-Valentine's Day- What sweetness lies in wait each time I bring your lips to
mine, a confection so perfect that its syrup infuses my daydreams
and becomes real when I close my eyes.
-*gasping at Amy's secret* and also I figured... Whoa! I sure know how to pick 'em. timing
-sex scene... grrrrrrr!! "I smolder" cookies, the grass, pessaries... oh goodness. still, the language is heart filling, for me
-So Scott knew Jem? Am I slow or are we just learning this? pg179
-"over educated girls become barren women" ha! is that true for natural intelligence
-reading Amy describe her "nightmare" to Chloe... pg188 ohhh nooo
-"You didn't survive to live this way." chloe says to amy
-How awful to be Amy- to love Scott but not like she did Jem. But never have Jem again. He is dead and so is there child. How awful to be Scott- to love Amy but not be enough simply because. It would almost be better if she were having an affair. He's MAD at her for telling him. She doesn't tell him what is going on for weeks and when she does he walks out. Just an observation...
-Raz pretends to drown, how very sad
-Want to discuss the role of women. How far women have come. Just imagine a time when simply because you were a woman, you could not do, learn, be... As women, what are we still fighting against? What are we fighting to get? pg212 Razi says,"I know I'm going to have to be twice as smart to get half as far."
-Noble's story of belief, his families deaths, his religion, his reasons for "staying" are compelling...
-Such a story of loves, Razi's parents had a great love- for each other and for her. I believe that is partly why she can be so brave and strong in her convictions. Razi and Andrew have their great love. Amy and Jem... I guess.
-Amy shows her Aunt Twolly the nude pics of Razi and she pretends not to know who Andrew is. What is going on? My heart is beating faster...
-Andrew did not attend Yale but Boston University
-Corrine, a name I LOVE!!!
-Amy's "Jem ritual", so haunting
continuing as I read...
First Book!
First book is: The Mercy of Thin Air by Ronlyn Domingue. Discussion will be on tomorrow, August 6th. I still am not sure how it will play out. I am really excited about it. I still am not finished with the damn book. That is me. I'm going to get a better looking book club blog eventually. I just never did because I don't know who I am going with or what I want.
Oh, and I went with Shoeaddict and Friends Book Club.
Right now, please tell me what book we should read for August. Also, how long do you think we should go before discussion? Was one month (4 weeks) enough time- too long or too short?
Thanks!
Oh, and I went with Shoeaddict and Friends Book Club.
Right now, please tell me what book we should read for August. Also, how long do you think we should go before discussion? Was one month (4 weeks) enough time- too long or too short?
Thanks!
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