You'll love this one...!! A book club & more discussion

The general gist of the novel is the experiences of Henry Scobie, a police officer in early 1940s Sierra Leone, West Africa. The introduction of several characters occurs early.

Scobie is married to the artist-intellectual Louise, though rampant gossip abounds about his extramarital life. There's a Miss Wilberforce, who brings a complaint about her thieving landlady and there's a commissioner who's retiring. Will Scobie be promoted to the job?

His experiences in Sierra Leone formed the story, but the story is a fiction rather than a memoir.

I wondered who was the British secret agent? I give more credit to Louise despite her whininess. She warned Scobie about Wilson.

Scobie goes through change during the novel; at the beginning, Louise reminds him to attend church while she's away.

Started this book today.

The first section has set up the relationships of the characters. At first I couldn't understand why Scobie didn't just send his wife away to be happy elsewhere. It wasn't until the end of that section that I was made to realize the dire money situation and the political atmosphere.

I thought she could have controlled her whining better. Making his life miserable seemed deliberate.

I actually thought he was going to ask the captain, from whom he took the letter, to arrange transport for Louise. And that that would be the favor for which he would get into trouble. I did not expect a “partnership" with Yusef.

Pretty sure Wilson is up to no good.

Judy wrote: "She annoys me, but at the same time I know what it feels like to be stuck somewhere with no friends and not be able to leave. It can make a sunny person become depressed. That's how I see her. Add an unhealthy dose of guilt and voila! there's Louise...."

Actually now that I've read further (view spoiler)[the loss of a child and Louise's childlessness (hide spoiler)], I am beginning to have a little more empathy for Louise.

Disappointed in Scobie, he is standing up to his "relationship" with Yusef (view spoiler)[and I was sure his integrity would keep him away for Stamp Girl. I was wrong. (hide spoiler)]

Judy wrote: "BTW, Almeta, are you all getting the cold, driving rain from the hurricane? I hate letting my kitties out in it. brrr"

Rain and wind, cold. Here 43 degrees is not that unusual, for this time of year is it? Maybe you are getting hit a bit harder than we are.

My vechile (diesel) and I both dislike the cold.

I found Scobie's struggle with confession and his sin rather intense. Is his faith actually that passionate? Does he really see his damnation? Why then struggle? (view spoiler)[Wouldn’t this be the time for his faith to ask that he renounce his attachment to Helen. (hide spoiler)] I also have this uneasy feeling that Louise knows of his torture. (view spoiler)[I am back to believing that she torments him deliberately! (hide spoiler)]

By-the-way, how did Louise afford to return? She didn't have money to leave. What's up with that?

Judy wrote: "Have you finished Heart of the Matter? There's a couple of things I wanted to ask you but don't want spoilers. ..."

Only a few more pages to go!

Done!

What a crummy solution! :o)

My only problem with the story was Scobie's thinking/imagining his guilt in others' unhappiness, which was important to the final outcome.