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Sunbeam
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Posted: Wed Sep 24th, 2008 04:27 |
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Firstly a big thank you to Claire for being out last moderator and paving the way for others to follow. ( Can I hear a round of applause).
Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear - 4 (This was highly recommended by two friends of an MPer even though it deals with the emotional after affects of war (WWI); the novel spans pre-WWI through post WWI w/ a female protagonist who appears quite adventurous for her time; it is a psychological sort of mystery with lots of food for thought.)
This is the book I have chosen for the next study. I have found that this is the first book in a series, so depending on how good the book is members may like to follow up with the other volumes in their own time.
When I receive my copy of this book I will post the reading schedule
We have been used to reading about 30 to 40 pages with our last book I found that comfortable so I will continue that pace unless advised otherwise.
Questions
Will be posted weekly. The first set of questions will be posted by Saturday 4th October. I hope this will give members plenty of time to find a copy of the book.
I will get my copy from the Library, though I noticed that some inexpensivec copies of the book can be found at
Amazon.com
Claire wrote;
If you have never been in a book group, don't worry.  In my experience with women's book groups (as far as I know women out number men by far in book group attendance...at least when it comes to fiction), book groups are not necessarily a place where people show their literary prowess, although that will be tolerated!  Typically, they are designed for personal edification, for having some fun, and for developing community among the participants. On ocassion a serious discussion breaks out.   Remember to equip yourself with hot tea or coffee and a favorite snack when answering questions to get the full book group experience.
I hope we can continue to have some fun.
If anyone has any questions, suggestions or they feel the start time is to soon please let me know by private message.
Take care, Lynn.
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Sunbeam
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Posted: Fri Sep 26th, 2008 03:48 |
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Hi Book Club members,
I have decided 4th October is far to early to be posting questions for the new book and would like to change that date to 11th October.
Let me know if you think that is to early too, as I would like our reading to be at a comfortable pace for everyone.
Take care, Lynn
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Deb Grabetz
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Posted: Fri Sep 26th, 2008 11:59 |
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Hi Lynn,
I like your date of October 11th, this will give us some time to get our hands on the book. Thank you for moderating! I look forward to the next read...
Claire, a BIG  FOR ALL YOUR WORK IN MODERATING "WHERE THE HEART IS", I TRULY ENJOYED THE EXPERIENCE! Deb
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Sunbeam
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Posted: Wed Oct 1st, 2008 05:14 |
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Book Club Reading Schedule.
Some of you may already have your next book and may be eager to begin reading.
Reading Schedule for October.
4/10 - Chapters 1 - 4.
11/10 - Chapters 5 - 7
18/10 - Chapters 8 - 10
25/10 - Chapters 11 – 14
We can alter this reading schedule. If it is too much to cope with let me know, I have no wish to add to our fatigue.
Questions will continue to be posted on the Saturday evening. The first set will be posted on Saturday 11th October.
I hope everyone is managing to get hold of a copy of this book. Let me know if you have any questions or problems with anything, it is all very flexible.
Happy Reading. (I hope).
Take care, Lynn
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Deb Grabetz
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Posted: Wed Oct 1st, 2008 20:41 |
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| Put my request in at the library this morning...so I'm ready to go!!! Sounds like a great read! Deb
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eClaire
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Posted: Wed Oct 1st, 2008 22:54 |
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| And I'm planning to go by Barnes & Noble to see if I can purchase it because our library only lets us renew a book three times in a row. So one way or the other (perhaps an online purchase if B&N doesn't have it), I'll be joining in. Claire
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Sunbeam
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Posted: Thu Oct 2nd, 2008 04:26 |
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Hi Deb and Claire,
I'm glad to see you are both on board with this book. I was lucky with the last book my Library just kept renewing it for me. I must say, it is nice to own a copy though as I do lke to read good books again and again.
Yah! the icons worked Claire. My computer skills must be improving.
Regards Lynn
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Sunbeam
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Posted: Sat Oct 11th, 2008 04:33 |
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Hi all,
I hope dyou all managed to find a copy of Maisie Dobbs and read the first 4 chapters. Now you csan tackle the questions, I am looking forward to reading everyones take on the book so far. Chapters 1-4
- Jack, the newspaper vendor's exchange with Maisie gives away something of Maisie's character, she is not what he expects her to be. Does this combination of qualities enlighten us to why Maisie's office must be “something in the middle, something for everyone,something central, but then again not in the thick of things” ?
2) Billy Beale recalls meeting Maisie during her service as a nurse during WW1. Both Billy and Maisie seem to have painful memories of that time. Each of them dealing with those memories in a different way. Times have changed. Would painful memories be easier to deal with today than they were back in 1929?
3) So far this novel is set in 1929. It shows Maisie has a different lifestyle to most women of her day. Do you think this is realistic? Have you heard of women who played similar roles in society at that time?
- 4)Christoper Davenham's pride has taken a knock at what he sees as his wifes betrayal. Maisie sees things in a different light. Maisie's terms for taking on this investigation reveal a lot about her work ethic. Do you think a Private Detective these days would be so sensitive to their client and the person they are investigating?
5) Do you see any themes arising in the first four chapters of this novel?
6) Society has come along way since 1929. Travel is so much easier these days. Picture yourself in a world where public transport and cash is limited. Could you adapt to the change?
I am sure there are questions people have thought of that are not addressed here. Please ask your questions. Someone may have answers, or a different point of view to add to our understanding of events in this novel.
Regards, Lynn.
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eClaire
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Posted: Sun Oct 12th, 2008 05:07 |
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1) Jack, the newspaper vendor's exchange with Maisie gives away something of Maisie's character, she is not what he expects her to be. Does this combination of qualities enlighten us to why Maisie's office must be “something in the middle, something for everyone, something central, but then again not in the thick of things”?
Hmmm...I hadn't thought of it like that, but her office is a good metaphor for who she appears to be. Good going Lynn for noticing that. At the same time, the location seems one where she can pay cheap rent in an area where she can meet clients who can afford to pay her services in local eateries without necessarily revealing that she does not have as much in the way of money as she would like starting out the business. My sense is...if she could afford more (here at the start), she would, but this is a prudent choice on her part. I would wager, given that this is series of books, that she just may grow very fond of the area and stay as long as the area makes for a good meeting place.
2) Billy Beale recalls meeting Maisie during her service as a nurse during WW1. Both Billy and Maisie seem to have painful memories of that time. Each of them dealing with those memories in a different way. Times have changed. Would painful memories be easier to deal with today than they were back in 1929?
No, I don't think things change much in this way (except to say if one can afford or get good psychological services from someone who is experienced in dealing with PTSD, then one's chances of recovery MIGHT be better...but see below). While warfare was different in WWI, say, versus the Vietnam War, Vietnam Veterans made up (and still may make up) the bulk of the homeless in the US, which I think reflects on the ongoing inability of (at least the US) to cope with shell shock or what is now known as PTSD.
People are people no matter the age. Unless a person is psychopathic (or equally twisted in some way), people are affected by carnage. Some cope better than others.
Also, Th1 is implicated in PTSD. For example, many folk (like me) have a cluster of symptoms that are often seen together (to a large degree): CFS, FMS, MCS, and PTSD. Also, research has found that folk who have abusive backgrounds are more likely to suffer from PTSD from battle than people who do not. Hmmm...could it be that some parents who abuse their kids have anger/behavior issues because of TH1 illness? (Think of the MPers who report feeling calmer and having less rage as they become healthier?)
So if Th1 is implicated in PTSD, then as a condition we might expect to see more of it (except for us folk who go through the MP and we could reasonably expect resolution of these symptoms).
I could go on, but my mind can't pull it all together.
3) So far this novel is set in 1929. It shows Maisie has a different lifestyle to most women of her day. Do you think this is realistic? Have you heard of women who played similar roles in society at that time?
I think this was a time of change for women in Britain; however, like Maisie, to do something like she is doing, she would need a patron to help her get going because she would need referrals to folk with money who could afford her services (or a "good" name). A woman back then would have been hard pressed to start where Maisie started and introduce herself into the class of folk with money, as the middle class seems to have just begun around that time (with general strikes and all occurring a couple of years before the start of this novel). A woman might be able to open her own business once she had a name for herself (other than, say, taking in laundry or making a living in the open markets), but she would have been hard pressed to get backing from a bank (just like women many, many years later).
My impression is that women were tolerated as employees in certain professions for the most part and not thought to be capable of running a business. Well, that's my take given my limited knowledge of history. Sorry, can't think of anyone in particular. Oh...well, women did become novelists given the success of George Sands...isn't that right? Besides the nunnery, that was one way women might be able to support themselves (not require the economics of shared resources) and avoid marriage during this time. Singer/Actress would be other ways, but then again, these women were employees as well.
Please feel free to come down hard on my lack of knowledge of British history anyone.
4) Christoper Davenham's pride has taken a knock at what he sees as his wifes betrayal. Maisie sees things in a different light. Maisie's terms for taking on this investigation reveal a lot about her work ethic. Do you think a Private Detective these days would be so sensitive to their client and the person they are investigating?
Hmmm...Maisie is not quite a private detective. Her desire for healing reminds me of my own experience in my career. I went to law school to become a family lawyer (meaning, divorce, child custody, abuse), and I came to believe that families do not belong in the court room (except in cases of abuse), and so I became a mediator. As a mediator, I assisted two couples in overcoming that which was driving them into divorce, and those experience made me see the potential in using mediation to prevent divorce--that is, helping couples to reconcile. The goals of mediation (and the basic technique) are different from counseling and is not so long in scope either. However, the sorts of skills Maisie seems to employ in her job is what made for good mediation I believe. It seems she wants to broker healing/peace in people's lives.
5) Do you see any themes arising in the first four chapters of this novel?
Healing, class issues, gender issues, attention to detail, intuition.... If these are themes.
6) Society has come along way since 1929. Travel is so much easier these days. Picture yourself in a world where public transport and cash is limited. Could you adapt to the change?
I didn't realize until a friend pointed it out recently that I am sentimental. I never thought of myself that way; however, I can remember from the earliest of my memories of having a fierce nostalgia for the past. I'd see old abandoned buildings or the earliest of gas stations, and I'd wonder about the people. The lives they led, their hopes, their dreams.
I live in a small city--well, now its population is about 40,000--and when I moved to it the first time it had 17,000 people. At that time, that was the largest town I'd ever lived in. (Even a town of a few thousand was big for me.) Whenever I go to Northern Virginia, I feel like a country bumpkin, all the building are out of scale. (Richmond, VA is a nice, people scaled city as is Madison, WI.) And having been in the inner part of London (stayed in pre-WWII hotels) and ridden the underground and stayed a long time in N. Ireland where I got about by bus and train (my relatives not owning cars at the time), I can imagine very well living in those times. Heck, I remember party lines. I think it would be freeing not to own a car. (Not here of course b/c we don't even have a Greyhound terminal in our town any longer and the nearest train station to anywhere is an hour away.) My uncles in No. Ireland never owned a car, always rode a bike or took a bus to work.
If we had to throw out cell phones tomorrow, I'd be a-okay with that. Now, the computer and the power of the Internet (the MP!)
Oh but we're talking about transportation and cash being limited!
Yeah, that too. I was poor most of my youth and when I was a kid people did not own a lot of things or clothes (at least the people I knew). I know how not to spend, how to make chicken stock, how to plant a garden, how to run cars completely into the ground (which is what I do), how to shop thrift/buy used, barter services (do you know that if you barter services, the US tax code expects you to claim the value on your taxes...at least the last time I looked, which was quite a while ago), etc. However, I make lousy biscuits and bread making of any kind comes in handy when money is tight. (In fact, I've bought myself a bread making book and once I become well enough, I plan to learn how to bake bread w/o a bread machine.)
And, I might be very hard pressed to afford my Benicar, which my insurance does not cover. No wonder the poor died so much younger than the rich back then...
Last edited on Sun Oct 12th, 2008 05:13 by eClaire
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Deb Grabetz
Advocate
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Posted: Sun Oct 12th, 2008 13:24 |
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Excellent Book Choice! 
- Jack, the newspaper vendor's exchange with Maisie gives away something of Maisie's character, she is not what he expects her to be. Does this combination of qualities enlighten us to why Maisie's office must be “something in the middle, something for everyone,something central, but then again not in the thick of things” ?
Yes, I think you're right here. Her office is set up and described as someplace that would be comfortable for any potential client, which seems to reflect what we've already learned of Maisie. This also made me think about first impressions. How we often look superficially in making first impressions or judgements of others and very often can miss what is on the inside, what strengths that person carries, what they have to offer us or what we have to offer them in return. We may even overlook what others may be going through personally in their lives, because we lean so heavily on that "first impression".
I imagine what someone who met me during my worst stage of illness would have took away as compared to when I'm completely well and *bubbling over with life*! My basic personality was still there but it would have been much harder to see through to the well person that I am becoming once again (TG for the MP). It is a trait that I learned to hone in on from being in customer service so many years, thinking beyond that first impression!
Has anyone else ever tuned in to this??
- Billy and Maisie seem to have painful memories of that time. Each of them dealing with those memories in a different way. Times have changed. Would painful memories be easier to deal with today than they were back in 1929?
In my opinion, I believe we have come such a long way in how we approach emotions/pain today. Years ago, it was proper to *sweep things under the rug* in order to deal with them. I see this even with my parents generation. Their way of dealing with things is to just have that Pollyanna attitude that problems will just go away....now don't misunderstand, I appreciate my moms positive attitude as it has been of great influence in my life but I have grown beyond thinking that things will just cheerfully always take care of themselves in life! Facing problems, dealing with them upfront, even if this means professionally through a minister, priest, counselor, etc is healing. Our society is now equipped to help rehabilitate rather than push aside those with problems in all areas of life!
We have even been afforded the choice to make our own medical decisions. Fat chance that Benicar would have been approved 50 years ago by our insurance companies--or that many doctors would even be open to thinking outside of the box! 
This may be getting off the beaten path a bit and a bit on the deep side, hopefully not too controversial for anyone reading this post...but think back just within the last 50 years what has changed with unwed mothers. Years ago, parents would hush such an ordeal in their families, with no regard to what hurt they were inflicting on their own child. I have seen so many of these stories and felt such gratitude that times have changed and we recognize that mistakes in life are made, it's not a perfect world!
3) So far this novel is set in 1929. It shows Maisie has a different lifestyle to most women of her day. Do you think this is realistic? Have you heard of women who played similar roles in society at that time?
Oh yes, I am so fond of these women from history who made a name for themselves by being different, stepping out of the typical role models of women in that time. If not for them we would never have seen the incredible women's movement, privelage of voting, choosing careers that only men were privy to, etc.. They have been the pioneers that have allowed us the develop into the 21st century. Look what we have experienced this year alone, Hillary Clinton running for the Democratic nomination for the highest office in the U.S. and now Sarah Palin as running mate to John McCain. (Whether Democrat or Republican, it is still a hats off to our gender!)
Some who come to mind from all walks of life are:
Susan B Anthony, Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Marie Curie, Katherine Hepburn...there are so many...Here is a link I thought would be good to share...If there is someone who you think influenced the future of women, please add it!
http://womenshistory.about.com/od/lists/tp/top_100_women.04.htm
4)Christoper Davenham's pride has taken a knock at what he sees as his wifes betrayal. Maisie sees things in a different light. Maisie's terms for taking on this investigation reveal a lot about her work ethic. Do you think a Private Detective these days would be so sensitive to their client and the person they are investigating?
NO! OK, don't shoot me down for this but the media is so exaggerated today that I doubt there is much compassion left for anyone. We have been so sucked in by these publications that are out there making profit with everyones personal lives, that we have forgotten to think as Maisie does in the book. I loved her ethics...as she showed compassion for the hurt that Christopher Davenham was feeling...yet was allowing herself to be open minded when it came his wife, until she could form an educated opinon. I try very hard to live my life this way....I suppose that it seems like that is being too open minded but there are always two sides of a story....and this has not changed throughout history!
5) Do you see any themes arising in the first four chapters of this novel? I'm loving the intrigue...to see where this goes. I stopped at Chapter Four...only because I wanted to retain what I had read...but would have loved to keep reading....
6) Society has come along way since 1929. Travel is so much easier these days. Picture yourself in a world where public transport and cash is limited. Could you adapt to the change?
Absolutely not!!!! Although, it is a fun change to take the train or subway....as long as it doesn't have to be a part of my daily life!!! 
____________________
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Sunbeam
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Posted: Mon Oct 13th, 2008 04:48 |
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- Jack, the newspaper vendor's exchange with Maisie gives away something of Maisie's character, she is not what he expects her to be. Does this combination of qualities enlighten us to why Maisie's office must be “something in the middle, something for everyone,something central, but then again not in the thick of things” ?
Maisie is quite a mixture, at odds with the British Class system. It is suggested that she has been born working class and a servant in the home of higher class people. We know Maisie is intelligent and has served as a nurse during WW1. At some point in her career she has been a student to a Private Investigator which points to a very varied life experience so far. During her life Maisie has mixed with all types of people and learned the finer points of manners and deportment without losing her working class heritage. I think the quote means she wants to be able to help a broad variety of people in her work and so find a place where she can be found by all class of Londoners, without being in to rough an area.
2) Billy Beale recalls meeting Maisie during her service as a nurse during WW1. Both Billy and Maisie seem to have painful memories of that time. Each of them dealing with those memories in a different way. Times have changed. Would painful memories be easier to deal with today than they were back in 1929?
For a lot of people I think their memories would be easier to deal with. A lot more is taught in school about how to deal with life these days and a lot of people are more open. It is harder for those who believe they have to be perfect and deal with everything themselves. Today we have counselors who could help us to sort out our minds if we are willing, or can afford to go and see them. A good understanding friend is another option and may help us with our problems but that can easily lead to misunderstandings. There are still a lot of people who are not good at expressing their needs so never have help to come to terms with memories or problems. I think it should be easier to deal with difficult emotional memories of anything else nowadays but I am not sure even in this age of enlightenment that it is.
3) So far this novel is set in 1929. It shows Maisie has a different lifestyle to most women of her day. Do you think this is realistic? Have you heard of women who played similar roles in society at that time?
I think women did play a more active, assertive role in society after WW1, but they still had a long way to go for equality. There have been women throughout history that have stood out from the rest, people like Joan of Arc, Florence Nightingale, Elizabeth Fry. A favourite of mine is Edith Cowan who was elected to the Australian Parliament during the earlier years of the 20th century.
http://www.abc.net.au/schoolstv/australians/cowan.htm
I really think women showed their dissatisfaction with their role in society after WW2 then their demands during the 1960's.
A women Private Investigator during the 1920's. Well I'm not sure!
- Christoper Davenham's pride has taken a knock at what he sees as his wifes betrayal. Maisie sees things in a different light. Maisie's terms for taking on this investigation reveal a lot about her work ethic. Do you think a Private Detective these day's would be so sensitive to their client and the person they are investigating?
From what I have seen of Private Investigators on TV I would say no. I have never known any Private Investigators. I wonder if TV portrays them realistically. Is it all about money? I like the way Maisie cares for her client and the person she is investigating.
5) Do you see any themes arising in the first four chapters of this novel?
Loss. All Britain and the western world are feeling the loss of loved ones due to the war. Personal loss is highlighted in the story, loss of loved ones a way of life and homes.
6) Society has come along way since 1929. Travel is so much easier these days. Picture yourself in a world where public transport and cash is limited. Could you adapt to the
change?
This seems a relevant question to ask in todays economical climate and the dwindling of our energy resources. I think people of my generation will adapt as they have known what it is like to only have public transport to rely on. It will be hard but thy will get by. Our young people have only known good times when a car was their normal way of transport for everything even being dropped of at school. They will have to discover what legs are for and how necessary it is to set off in good time for the trip to work or school.
I wonder if I should get a horse and buggy! Seriously though, what will we do?
This novel seems as if it is going to be dealing with the consequences of tragedy but in a different way from 'Where the heart is'. I think we are in for a good read evens though it has been rather sad so far.
I am sure there are questions people have thought of that are not addressed here. Please ask your questions. Someone may have answers, or a different point of view to add to our understanding of events in this novel.
Regards, Lynn.
____________________
CFS. gen neuro. muscular tightening whole body pulsates|ADL's limited| 125D 30 MP 4/07 Panadol Mersyndol Noirs. Low lux home homebound. ph 2 1/2/08 25D 6 2/08
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eClaire
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Posted: Mon Oct 13th, 2008 05:05 |
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I have only met one private investigator (a woman) who seemed to fit the stereotype of liking drink and being in it for the money (and also the fun of investigating). I do however think the ugliness that it can reveal finally got to her during some investigations she was asked to make in a particular murder case that was going to trial and she decided to retire after that. Apparentl enough was enough of looking into other people's dirty laundry and the skeletons in their closets. I would have liked to get to know her better and learn more, however, I tend to steer clear of folk with a serious fondness for drink. (Been there, done that--not myself--, bought the T-shirt, and am done.)
I don't really have any questions, but I'd like to comment on the way Maisie's former investigator boss comes into the picture in the way of her memories of his instruction. In many ways, they seem to be important instructions about life and not just about being an investigator. Hmmm.... Metaphorically, this book will be quite interesting I think.
Claire
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Sunbeam
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Posted: Mon Oct 13th, 2008 06:23 |
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Hi Claire and Deb,
I enjoyed reading your thoughts on the first 4 chapters of this book. I get the feeling I am going to learn a lot more about your country.
I didn't have my eye on the cost of Maisie's office though I can see how relevant it is to Maisie's choice. I was thinking more of her need to help everyone no matter what their financal circumstances are. My feeling was that she would reduce her fees for people who couldn't afford much, that to her this was more of a vocation than a job.
I agree that first impressions can be misleading, even the people we know best in the world have days when we would like to stand a distance away from them. I'm sure they would feel like that about us sometimes. It takes time to get to know anyone.
I found your piece on PSTD interesting Claire. I have often wondered if we punished people with unsociable behaviour when we should be investigating if the body's chemical balance was amiss. Now I can blame Th1!
I also think that countries do not support their returning war vetrans well enough. After the WW2 in the U.K you were given a demob suit and sent on your way. I expect the probably were given some money to last them but that was it as far as I know. I think vetrans were treated better here in Australia apart from the war with Vietnam. Bryce Courtney wrote a novel called 'Smokey Joes Cafe' about what it was like for Australian servicemen returning from Veitnam
I think there is a growing awareness (especially her in Australia) of just how much was expected of those men, most of them were conscripted.
Deb I to came from a family where one just got on with it. It reminds me of that song
'Don't cry out loud, keep it inside learn how to hide your feelings'.
I think you are right about Maisie not really being a Private Detective Claire. I think she almost has a degree in phsychology. I love her work ethic. It sounds like you found a similar satisfaction in your work Claire.
I was interested on how you all thought life would be with little money and poor transport. I think we could cope but my kids would find it tough. I grew up in a world of public transport and not spending as one had to pay the bills. My first vehicle was a Honda 50. (Low powered motorbike) I had a few spills in the icy conditions but it was fun in the sunshine and used little petrol. We have been so privileged in the last 30-40 years but it has cost our environment dearly. I would like a world to leave for my grandchildren regardless of whether there is transport or not.
This novel is set when my parents were children, it will be wonderful to learn alittle of what life was like for them. I won't ramble anymore,
Regards, Lynn.
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eClaire
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Posted: Mon Oct 13th, 2008 18:23 |
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| Not a ramble Lynn. Since this is a series of books (I am already planning on reading the books that follow), it will also give me some insight into the world my parents were born into in 1925 (my father in Kansas) and 1928 (my mother in N. Ireland).
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Deb Grabetz
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Posted: Mon Oct 13th, 2008 18:46 |
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Agreed! *Deb enjoying Lynn's ramble*.....You make a good point about vehicles and the end cost to our environment. Where I live, as it is a small town of 25K, public transportation exists but more commonly used by those who cannot afford their own transportation. We have a slew of buses that run routes within the county. When my children were little though, I would take them for rides to different places just so they could live the experience of PT. There used to be a "trolley" that was gas powered and used for PT. Now they are the more modern buses. Something to think about.
We often talk about my Grandma's younger years, how median families had only one car and that women pooled together once a week to do grocery buying and such. It was frivolous to own two vehicles in those days and really only for the rich. This was in the 40's, by the early 1970's, teenagers were driving their own vehicles and raised the ratio. My husbands family at one time had three teen drivers and five vehicles in their family.....
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Sunbeam
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Posted: Tue Oct 14th, 2008 04:42 |
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Oh the reminiscing! Is it a sign that I am getting old.
I prefer to think that it is because I have more time on my hand to remember when I was young. We too had 'Trolley' buses Deb, but they were electric and had antenea which attached to overhead electric wires. They ran every 10 minutes between a specified area and were never late unless the antenea came off the wires. That didn't take to long to fix with large poles that were used to attach the antenea back again.
My Dad and his friend bought a car together in the late 50's, the two families shared this mode of transport untill each could afford to own their own car. As I remember it worked well.. My Dad even remember the old Charabangs, that would be in the late 20's or early 30's. Amazing!
I'm sure I will find more things I remember as we progress through this book.
regards Lynn
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Deb Grabetz
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Posted: Tue Oct 14th, 2008 13:59 |
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Sunbeam wrote: Oh the reminiscing! Is it a sign that I am getting old.
My Dad and his friend bought a car together in the late 50's, the two families shared this mode of transport untill each could afford to own their own car. As I remember it worked well..
ahhh...Lynn and just think, no fear of insurance liabilities in sharing a car way back then....such a simpler life in so many ways! 
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Sunbeam
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Posted: Wed Oct 15th, 2008 04:06 |
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Hi Deb,
How right you are. Living in my fond memories of the past I tend to forget such things as mundane as insurance. Funny how clouded the brain becomes when we tend to put ouselves into a different era. There are so many complications in life today but our quality of life is so much better in so many many ways.
As a child I always did think I had been born in the wrong centuary, probably due to reading too much of Louisa M Alcotts "Little Women'. I still love that story. I'm sure my idea of living in the past only applied to living with a wealthy family.
Best get myself back to reality now! Thanks for the wakeup call Deb,
Lynn
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Sunbeam
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Posted: Sat Oct 18th, 2008 03:38 |
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Questions for Chapters 5 -7 You may answer all the questions or pick and choose those you like to answer.
- In the opening paragraphs of Ch.5 the author shows that Maisie had gone to great lengths to find out about Celia Davenham's parentage and past history, along with tailing her outings. Was Maisie's probing all to build a case for Mr Davenham? Did she have another motive?
2. Towards the close of Maisie's afternoon tea with Ceclia Davenham, Maisie recalls the counsel of her teacher Maurice Blanche. Maurice likened listening to someones deeply private words to “The story takes up space like a knot in a piece of wood. If the knot is removed a hole remains. This hole Maisie is our responsibility. We must ask ourselves how will this hole we have opened be filled.” These words create a deep resposibility for Maisie and all who are confidants. Are these words realistic in lifes many complex situations? Should we feel responsible? Did we learn anything from Maisie's attempt to “Fill the Hole?”
3. The subject of Vincent was so painful for Celia Davenham to speak of, though it seemed he was never for from her mind. How were thoughts of the past affecting Celia Davenhams present life? Any idea's why she would open up to Maisie, a stranger?
4. As Billy recounts the stories of Vincent he has learned from his mates, he begins to recall his experiences of war. It is well known now what happened to those frightened young boys who froze during combat. The Military has improved on their understanding of situations since then. Do you think they have come far enough?
5. Vincent stood against the establishment. Against condemnationg of fear. In doing so what qualities, or lack of qualities,did he show?
6. Maisie's gentle deliverence of her report to Christopher Davenham left him with much soul searching to do. Maisie also respectfully brings her aquaintance with Celia to an end after learning all she could about Vincents life. This investigaion although concluded, leaves Maisie with a feeling of unfinished business. Does this feeling remind you a of anything in your life experiences?
7) Any comments about the characters or the plot that you would like to express?
I hope you are enjoying this book. We miss you Audrey and hope all is well with you.
Take care, Lynn
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Sunbeam
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Posted: Sat Oct 18th, 2008 03:50 |
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Hi All,
Sorry about the numbering in the questions. The numbering system has a mind of it's own ar the computer is having a paddy and so am I. I'm sure you will forgive me that all my quetions are labelled 1. I don't know how I did that,I was trying to get spacing right,
Regards Lynn
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