Madam, want to talk about author Mary Stewart? discussion

Hannah wrote: "...I want some action, damn it.

haha - if you can stick with it until chapter 18. You'll get your action Willowfaerie!
:D"

Yep, you were right. I'm at chapter 18 and now I don't want to set the dang book down. :D

Isn't it good? :D

Definitely worth the wait, I think.

Bumping for the buddy read next week. I'm getting antsy to start!

You can edit the topic and then mark it as important and then it will be listed first in the topics of this folder. And then when the buddy read is over you can undo that. Only if you want. Of course if we all just comment it will do the same thing basically.

Looking forward to the read. I'll be gone part of next week, so I'll probably be a bit late to the discussion.

I think the wrong person got made a moderator here. :)

No way. You are perfect for the job.

I think you are doing a great job!!

I got my book today, so I am ready for the buddy read.

I remember the first time I read this that I wished I had a rich sister to visit when things weren't working out they way I wanted.

Willow wrote: "As always, I love how Mary Stewart never tells you what to think of her characters. She just lets them talk, so the reader gets to know them just like the heroine does. So many books today have t..."

This is an excellent point. She really does do what the good mystery writers also do: she gives you all the information which the heroine has, and lets you make your own mind up. You may leap to conclusions with the heroine, or you may not!

I'm finding it interesting that no-one seems to know The Tempest at all. I did it at school, and I think Mary Stewart could reasonable have expected the vast majority of her readers to know the play because every schoolchild in England at that time did read several Shakespeare plays, and The Tempest was one of the popular ones. (A generation later, I remember that we all created thunder for the storm by banging our desk-lids, and the teacher from the room next door assumed that we were messing around while our teacher was out of the room and came in to tell us off!)

I would suggest that you at least read a summary of the play, because it is pretty central to the book. I suspect that Mary Stewart believed that Corfu was where the play was set. And I agree with those of you who say that the storm was obviously in the Mediterranean and not in the Caribbean!

Here's your homework, ladies! Reports due next week before Friday. :D (I can laugh because I also studied The Tempest in college.)

hah!

Tadiana wrote: "Here's your homework, ladies! Reports due next week before Friday. :D (I can laugh because I also studied The Tempest in college.)"

Ah, but can you remember it? *cracks whip to encourage re-read*

I really dislike Shakespeare (I'm not within shooting distance am I? :) so I guess the Tempest will have to go over my head. Poor ignorant me. lol I'm up to chapter 4 and so far its ok. Not earth shattering, but ok. I'm sure it will pick up.

Some have commented how amusing it was that MS had to explain the geography of Greece (since modern day readers travel so much it seems a bit silly) but unless you live in the EU, travel can be difficult. Most average Americans are hard pressed to leave our own State, nevermind cross country borders. So I for one needed to be told where Corfu is. And I'm enjoying my vacation. :) I really want to go swimming in a secluded bay with a dolphin...

Dorcas wrote: "I really dislike Shakespeare (I'm not within shooting distance am I? :) so I guess the Tempest will have to go over my head. Poor ignorant me. lol I'm up to chapter 4 and so far its ok."

Hey! What's with all the gun-jumping here? Lol.

I have to knock off Elizabeth and Her German Garden before I dive into TRM.

Some people are very Shakespeare loyal and you almost don't dare say you think he's overrated. You might get shot :)

I love all the Shakespeare references, especially when Lucy and Sir Julian are quoting lines to each other and they fit the scene. It warms my heart.

Dorcas:

Tadiana wrote: "I love all the Shakespeare references, especially when Lucy and Sir Julian are quoting lines to each other and they fit the scene. It warms my heart.

Dorcas:
"

See what I mean? :)

Hj wrote: "Tadiana wrote: "Here's your homework, ladies! Reports due next week before Friday. :D (I can laugh because I also studied The Tempest in college.)"

Ah, but can you remember it? *cracks whip to en..."

I read it in college too. Took a Shakespeare course for a Drama minor. But, I do not remember it. Will have to read the wiki summary before I start. Working on finishing up GH before starting TRM.

I like the slow pace, maybe because I so enjoy MS wonderfully descriptive prose. Am waiting for the insta love to hit.

Tadiana wrote: "Here's your homework, ladies! Reports due next week before Friday. :D (I can laugh because I also studied The Tempest in college.)"

I've never "studied" it, but I've seen it several times and read it several times, and I love it, and I love the way MS weaves it through this story!

I saw The Tempest during a Shakespeare in the park festival. It was fabulous. And you're so right Karlyne, It is central to this story in the way that MS weaves into the main plot of the story and how the play helps Sir Julian and Lucy bond.

I think it's my favorite Shakespeare (sorry, Dorcas, but I'm with the majority on this one). My favorite production was a small-town college one where the Ariel was played musically by a young teenager, and she was genius. I wonder if she went on to act anywhere else...

A good overview of the play if anyone's interested.



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tempest

Ellen wrote: "I remember the first time I read this that I wished I had a rich sister to visit when things weren't working out they way I wanted."


I wish I was as rich as her sister!

Judith wrote: "Ellen wrote: "I remember the first time I read this that I wished I had a rich sister to visit when things weren't working out they way I wanted."


I wish I was as rich as her sister!"

And then, Judith, you could host all of us on Corfu while we discuss This Rough Magic!

I'm still buying those dang tickets to the Texas Lottery, so I haven't lost hope. You're all invited,but but most especially Max. Do you ladies mind if he's the only male?

Now I'm imagining a face-to-face gathering of this group on Corfu . . . We need one of us to hit the jackpot and pay for all the rest of us to come visit!

Judith wrote: "I'm still buying those dang tickets to the Texas Lottery, so I haven't lost hope. You're all invited,but but most especially Max. Do you ladies mind if he's the only male?"

And Sir Julian!

Tadiana, that would be the best use of lottery funds ever!

Corfu:

Nice!

I like the idea of a group meeting in Corfu. The pictures are stunning.

Oh, Tadiana, I'm not sure you should have posted those pictures. I may be in the grip of a mighty dissatisfaction with my surroundings now...

Lovely pictures!

Karlyne wrote: "Oh, Tadiana, I'm not sure you should have posted those pictures. I may be in the grip of a mighty dissatisfaction with my surroundings now..."

Quick! Win the lottery!!

Wouldn't that just be a riot?!? When I do, I guarantee we'll all go! (of course, I never actually play, but my husband does, and so my half of the $$$s will go to Corfu!)

Alternatively we need one of us to have a rich old aunt or uncle or distant relative who dies and conveniently leaves us a fortune . . .

What? It's always happening in Regency romances!

Tadiana wrote: "Alternatively we need one of us to have a rich old aunt or uncle or distant relative who dies and conveniently leaves us a fortune . . .

What? It's always happening in Regency romances!"

That made me laugh! My cousin and I were sitting at a wedding years ago and realized that, poor though we were, we were the richest in our family. Very disheartening!

Ha! it doesn't matter how we get it, just as long as one of us does. I prefer the lottery myself, only cause it's millions every time, at least here in Texas, so we could then rent a Castello to have our meetings in.

Judith wrote: "Ha! it doesn't matter how we get it, just as long as one of us does. I prefer the lottery myself, only cause it's millions every time, at least here in Texas, so we could then rent a Castello to ha..."

Ok, Judith, I nominate you to win!

I'll do my very best, ladies!!

I was lucky enough to go (from the UK) to Corfu on holiday a couple of years ago, and it is just as gorgeous in real life as in these photographs. Of course, I re-read This Rough Magic and My Family and Other Animals in preparation!

It is much more developed and sophisticated now, but the sea is amazing, and the countryside is beautiful. I hired a little car, and sympathised with some of Lucy's feelings about windy, bendy, roads.

Hj wrote: "I was lucky enough to go (from the UK) to Corfu on holiday a couple of years ago, and it is just as gorgeous in real life as in these photographs. Of course, I re-read This Rough Magic and My Fami..."

What, Hj?! No motorcycle?

Karlyne wrote: "Hj wrote: "I was lucky enough to go (from the UK) to Corfu on holiday a couple of years ago, and it is just as gorgeous in real life as in these photographs. Of course, I re-read This Rough Magic ..."

I've ridden a moped on Crete, if that counts...

Oh, it definitely counts!!!

I find I don't like Lucy as much as some other heroines of MS. She's seems too.. Normal. Not as aloof, or as competent.

Really? I find I like Lucy because she IS average. I guess its good to have a variety. I dislike it when an author paints the hero/ heroine with the same paintbrush every time. Good to shake it up a bit. But Lucy does have guts! We'll see more of that as the story unfolds...

I like Lucy too...she is in a make believe profession, but she's practical and down to earth.