Chicks On Lit discussion

Tanja is leading this discussion.....

I'm about half way through. Flavia is cracking me up.

Loved this book! Flavia is the best!

Being a chemist myself, I loved that the author made Flavia a chemist! I agree she is the best Nadia!

I read a 100 pages and quit it. For some reason, Flavia did not convince me as a heroine.
Of course I shall come back to read it at some point, maybe while following the book club's discussion...
Though...does someone else had a problem in trusting an 11 year-old to be detective?

Good morning one and all! Thanks Holli for creating the discussion thread that was my first task coming in this week! WHEE!

I'm nearly halfway through the novel and the metaphors make the scenes pop. Early on there was one which immediately captured the scents and I felt I was standing in that same place.

As an example: The house was hidden in the shadows beneath the flowing green skirts of a monstrous weeping willow whose branches shifted uneasily in the breeze, sweeping bare the dirt beneath it like a score of witches' brooms.

Talk about a pop factor! Witches' brooms!

And to tie in earlier comments, I'm going to use discussion question #1 from the reading guide.

1. With her high level of knowledge, her erudition and her self-reliance, Flavia hardly seems your typical eleven-year-old girl. Or does she? Discuss Flavia and her personality, and how her character drives this novel. Can you think of other books that have used a similar protagonist?

It's so funny because she is an extremely intelligent 11-year old girl. I know when I was 11 I wasn't learning the table of elements.
However, when she rides Gladys through the fields and lets out squeals and sings her silly songs, we are reminded that she is indeed still just an 11-year old girl.

I LOVED this. Corinna I also thought Gladys was one of the best parts.

What does the BSA, the abbreviation for Glady's her ancient BSA stand for?

Rebecca, after some research here's what I found:
Flavia's trusty bicycle, Gladys, is a BSA "Keep-Fit", which once belonged to her mother, Harriet. Harriet had called her "l'hirondelle" - "the swallow" (perhaps because of the way she swooped through English lanes), but Flavia has rechristened her "Gladys".

Gladys is perhaps inspired by memories of my own bicycle, which was much like Flavia's - except that it was a man's model - and in whose company I spent many a happy hour. My sister bought it for me with the first paycheck she ever earned.

The "Keep-Fit" is not fictional. It was a real bicycle, manufactured in England by BSA (Birmingham Small Arms), and was known for being a sturdy, no-nonsense piece of British engineering.

Here's a photograph of our Flavia's bicycle:

This sounds like an interesting question from the reader's guide!

11. What does Flavia care about most in life? How do the people around her compare to her chemistry lab and books?

I don't know if this book would be quite what it is without Flavia's personality. For me, it was this precocious kid that gave the whole story its unique perspective. She may not be so realistic in terms of her intelligence and ability to articulate for an eleven year old, but that for me is exactly what gave her voice the humor and dry wit. Some of her observations and commentary wouldn't have been as funny coming from anything but a child.

In some respects I thought Flavia's character was that stereotypical sharp mind, quick wit, sarcastic, cynical and aloof in her relationships - which I think she learned from her family culture - but there is always that soft spot underneath it all.

I loved the character of Flavia! Of course she is highly intelligent for her age but that is what the story is centered on! As I often tell my husband, when a bit of dramatic "unreality" sneaks into a film or TV show, "It's a STORY! It's not supposed to be real!" :)

Tanja wrote: "This sounds like an interesting question from the reader's guide!

11. What does Flavia care about most in life? How do the people around her compare to her chemistry lab and books?"

It was interesting to consider a time before TV, computers, video games, etc. Being an "old lady" :) myself, I can remember as a child, looking through the encyclopedia (at the pictures of course) to amuse myself. I guess that's why imagining the character of Flavia in the house's laboratory and reading the chemistry books didn't seem like quite a stretch. That became her passion.

Flavia and her sisters had to find amusements like reading, listening to the "wireless", etc., especially living in countryside. Their father did not allow them to use the telephone! It was quite a different time.

1. With her high level of knowledge, her erudition and her self-reliance, Flavia hardly seems your typical eleven-year-old girl. Or does she? Discuss Flavia and her personality, and how her character drives this novel. Can you think of other books that have used a similar protagonist

At first I was very skeptical about believing an 11 year old could talk and behave with the maturity and intellect that Flavia has. I think the author has done a great job creating a personality and intellect,setting that make it possilbe. I think the drive in the story is Flavia's wit,scarasm, and her natural curiosity. The authors use of sarcasm has me having alot of fun with this book.

11. I think CHEMISTRY is the obvious one but I think she has a sensitive nature and longs to have a bond and closeness with her father when she mentions wishing she could have been a boy. I think her relationship with her sisters is strained due to ages and interests but as she grows up will hopefully become have a close realtionship with them.

I absolutely love the first few pages of the book. Perhaps that is because I have two older sisters who tormented me. Flavia's age didn't bother me, especially since you can find many young detective characters portrayed in our society. Here is an interesting article on children's detective literature: http://chrisroutledge.co.uk/writing/c...

We have had some heavy reading lately, so I found this book light and fun.

I have also been reading some heavy things and find this one light, fun and refreshing and uplifting.

I found Flavia's character to be a bit like that of Cassandra in I Capture the Castle. Flavia found enjoyment in chemistry and in making her sister's lives miserable while Cassandra found joy in writing and in her imagination.

I, too, found this book to be refreshing and to follow Flavia around in all of her adventures before TV! Both Cassandra and Flavia spent much of their time devoted to books and/or writing. I really enjoy reading about simpler times!

Tanja wrote: "This sounds like an interesting question from the reader's guide!

11. What does Flavia care about most in life? How do the people around her compare to her chemistry lab and books?"

Flavia lives and breathes chemistry! She definitely adores her father, but chemisty comes easy to her because it makes sense to her and she can control it. She's good at chemisty and knows it, and uses it to her advantage! LOL!

Do you think Flavia took to chemistry because it's a world of her own? Her sisters and father typically leave her to the lab. And it's not something her sisters can change -- take for instance, a card game. Her sisters could change the rules. But with chemistry, it's fixed and rooted.

Do you think it's the rooted and unchanging part that becomes more her comfort? It seems she doesn't have that loving, very affectionate support. That chemistry is her mother?

Boy am I rambling. Just random thoughts here!

Ramble on (the migraine meds talking!? LOL) - good thoughts Tanja. Chemistry is something certainly her own and probably not something her sisters would have an interest in. Its tangible which fits her personality.

I agree, Tanja. Chemistry is Flavia's world. Her room with her chemistry is the only place she feels that she really belongs and understands. It makes sense to me that the chemistry brings her comfort because it is unchanging unlike relationships with people. I like the way you think! :)

Tanja wrote: "Do you think Flavia took to chemistry because it's a world of her own? Her sisters and father typically leave her to the lab. And it's not something her sisters can change -- take for instance, a c..."

I agree with your thoughts here. It was mentioned a few times that the lab was in a section of the house that no one went into. It was her safe zone not only in location but also in interest to other members of the house. The only person we know of that went into the lab was Dogger...the other safe zone for Flavia. I liked when she made him tea in the beaker (or whatever it is called), that was cute.

What would you say is the reason why Flavia took to detective work?

I adored Flavia, and her sayings. I can just hear them with a wonderful British accent in my head! I think it is refreshing to have a young girl that is so intelligent and interested in science. I enjoyed this book so much I have already read the new one - "the Weed that Strings the Hangman's Bag" I also love the diabolical love/hate relationship Flavia has with her sisters.

Claire what is The Weed that Strings the Hangman's Bag like to read after reading Sweetness . . . Wondering if its just as good?

Rebecca - I thought it was just as good. very similar in style - a new mystery to solve! I have a feeling it is going to be a series.

Tanja wrote: "What would you say is the reason why Flavia took to detective work?"

"I wish I could say I was afraid, but I wasn't. Quite the contrary. This was by far the most interesting thing that had ever happened to me in my entire life." This according to Flavia regarding finding a dead body in the cucumber patch.

She has a scientific mind, one that requires logic and powers of deduction. Perfectly up her alley! :)

If you check out the author's website, you'll see he has six books planned for Flavia. Each title is equally different as the other.

What is your favorite scene?

Tanja wrote: "1. With her high level of knowledge, her erudition and her self-reliance, Flavia hardly seems your typical eleven-year-old girl. Or does she?"

She doesn't think like one, but she certainly acts like one! While her wit, keen observation and extensive chemistry knowledge are hardly typical, going out of her way to torture her siblings, singing songs about how awesome she is and having a bicycle for a best friend make her refreshingly believable as a kid.

I think my fav scene in the book was when she went up the clock tower. I could really imagine the loose roof tiles, and the view from up there.

I think she likes the detective work because it was another verification for her that she isn't your typical 11-year old girl. She had things figured out before the detectives. She faced danger and kept going with it....plus she seems to enjoy being sneaky!

I'm not sure I could name a favorite scene just love the humor every time she would outwit some adult! Or the sarcasm around her sisters. Isn't it also just typical for someone who doesn't have the ability to bond as much with people to have Gladys as her best friend. I am afraid to say that bike looks alot like the one I grew up with. That's what happens when you're almost older than dirt.

I think my favorite scene was with Flavia and her father. He was telling her the whole story of his past. Up until then they had very little interaction and suddenly he was opening up to her.

I am very excited at the prospect of a series of 6 books!

Six books sounds like alot of fun. I'd read them. I loved the light mysteries in Alexander McCall Smith's books. These remind me of that, although they are certainly different in style and content.

I read the Alexander McCall mysteries, too - #1 Ladies Detective Agency. I like Flavia, because she has the sarcastic, biting, English humor. I think it is even more funny because she is young. I think her Dad is a bit overwhelmed with his girls,though - that part of the story is rather sad.

I am with you too Rose. That was my favorite. Sweet and tender even if only for a moment.

Yes, Claire, the dad was overwhelmed with his girls and it was sad. I think that is why my favorite part was when he told Flavia the whole story of what happened in the past at Buckshaw.

I think the father was overwhelmed with life in general. It will be interesting to read the rest of the series to see if he becomes any less useless.

I added the second book to my to-read list, but I can't decide if I actually want to read it or not.

I liked Sweetness in the beginning, got a little bored of it in the middle, and enjoyed it again near the end. It's just that the mystery itself was kind of dull, but the characters and the setting were enough to make me want to finish the book.

I don't know if it will be as convincing the second time around. By book two, perhaps the novelty will have worn off...

Just finished Sweetness. Delightful book!! I really liked the relationship between Flavia and Inspector Hewitt. Especially the last meeting, I was laughing out loud. Hope the next book comes soon I don't have anything to read. YIKES!!! Happy Mother's Day everyone :)

Britt, I almost think I enjoyed the second book more, but everyone has a differing opinion. I think Flavia is growing on me, and as her relationships change, she becomes more appealing.

Good to hear Claire. I love these light mysteries that seem to be as much if not more about the characters than the events.

I am on page 101...if I don't like this book now should I just stop reading it or does it get better?

Rita wrote: "I read a 100 pages and quit it. For some reason, Flavia did not convince me as a heroine.
Of course I shall come back to read it at some point, maybe while following the book club's discussion...
T..."

I am on page 101 and am not sure if I want to finish this either! I am just bored with it!

I thought it got better after 100. Part of the frustration in reading was that Flavia didn't tell the police any of the things she was finding. I mean, it was a bit like Sherlock Holmes where you get to the end of the book and there's a bunch of things you didn't know about. With Flavia, at least she lets the reader in on it but the idea that you'd keep the cops (even at age 11) from information that would help your father was probably my biggest stumbling point with the book.

Rita and January, although I like the book, don't feel compelled to finish if you really don't want to. Sometimes a book doesn't strike you as appealing trying to read it once, and then you may pick it up at a different point in your life and really like it! I have tried to read "Wicked" the book, twice, and have been unable to finish it either time. I think now that I am a little older, I realize how valuable my time is, and how many books I WANT to read, so if something doesn't appeal to me - I put it down without guilt!

Oh Claire's right - time is too precious, and we all have different tastes. Don't finish something that doesn't ring your bells! No reflection on anything or anyone!

January wrote: "Rita wrote: "I read a 100 pages and quit it. For some reason, Flavia did not convince me as a heroine.
Of course I shall come back to read it at some point, maybe while following the book club's d..."

I got just about to page 100 and decided I had to read something else. I'm not sure why, I just didn't like the book!