The Bronze Horseman discussion

If you have any questions or group suggestions, please place them here :)

What about doing another Group Read? We've done one in the past :)

I'm all for it. In the book club section at the bottom I suggested a book and am looking for suggestions, here's the link Leea.
http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/6...

Oh thanks Alycia. Great job modding this group.

Thanks Leea :)

Hi Everyone! Maybe I'm dense, but I have read and re-read TBH trilogy twice (I just couldn't freaking let go of them) and I am still wondering whether or not alexander and dasha would have sex in the room when dasha told tatiana to go up on the roof! I read somewhere that this question would be answered in tatiana and alexander but I couldn't find it. Believe me, I went nuts with rage at those scenes, not to mention totally confused that tatiana didn't flip out...especially after she understood what sex meant- really meant. someone help me out!

dasha told tatiana in tbh that she and alexander had not had sex since august. tania and shura met in june. it is also mentioned in book 2.

thanks natalie!

No problem, i am re-reading it now. I think dasha told her that in november cauase she had lost her period and tania asked her if she was worried about being pregnent.

I've read and read this over and over and I believe that they did not have "sex" after Luga. That being said I'm sure the fooled around a bit. How could he explain not touching her at all?

I decided that what happened was he and dasha would make out. and when she wanted more, he said he was too stressed out because of the war. I made this up- but it's the only explanation that makes me feel good. lol

I have a couple of questions
1. Can anyone tell me if there was an alternate ending somewhere or is that just something we muse about?

2. How different is the Bridge to Holy Cross from Tatianna and Alexander. Which one is better?


3. And here is the question/thought rolling around in my head ever since reading TBH--would Alexander have married Tatianna if she were not a virgin? I would love to hear people's thoughts on this?

question 1...In Tatiana's Table, there is an alternitive..it's a "what if" alternitive from Tatiana to Alexander...If anyone wants to know it I can explain it..I don't want to spoil it for people though.

Tina wrote: "question 1...In Tatiana's Table, there is an alternitive..it's a "what if" alternitive from Tatiana to Alexander...If anyone wants to know it I can explain it..I don't want to spoil it for people t..."

Thank you, Tina. That is so helpful!

Hi Brunhilde, I think the bridge to holy cross is slightly better than tatiana and alexander - if you have the choice I'd go with TBTHC. Apparently they're quite similar but TBTHC has some extra content.

I'm not sure about your last question! It's definately her innocence that attracts him to her in the first place, however she could still have had that same innocence when they first met even if she wasn't a virgin... tough question! I think maybe no though - she was different to all the other girls he'd been with and that's half of what he loved about her.

I most definitely think that Alexander would have married Tatiana if she was not a virgin. Although I think he enjoyed her innocents, I think he loved her for who she was. Always putting people in front of herself, and that she loved him for who he was, not just some handsome soldier to past the night with.

Thank you all for your responses. It is for sure something that has been rolling around my brain for quite awhile. Sometimes I think, for sure he would have married her and other times I am not quite sure.
When he visits her in the hospital--he is so curious and enthralled with her innocence. And in the tent he is adamant about knowing about her past and only after all of that he mentions marrying her. And in the last book when Tania needs to forgive him she says to him, "Could you forgive me?" And he sighs and moans and rolls over as if to say, 'No, I couldn't."
I do know and get how much he loves her. But I also think that her virginalness (I know it is not a a word) is so paramount for him. He also has a stubborn, rigid, and inflexible quality to his personality that even if he wanted to deal with it maybe he couldn't. All of that to say--I just don't know, but certainly love talking about.:)

I think that her being a virgin is a necessity. It is what separates her from all the others. He even tells her that the less she goes out, the more he likes it. in fact, he constantly mentions about how her innocence drives him crazy. he is such a possessive guy I simply don't think he could have dealt with it any other way.
With that said... I think that he was very surprised at how inexperienced she actually was. But that surprise drove him even more mad for her.

I really felt hurt for her in summer garden when she felt like he was taking advantage of her innocence with the strip club thing... that beacuse she never knew anyone else, he could get away with doing things she would never allow if she understood. This hurt me so much that he made her feel that way. He tried to take advantage of something that used to mean everything to him! Sorry for the ramble
and by the way- I love alexander so don't get me wrong. he is #1 fictional character by a long shot

Jessica wrote: "I think that her being a virgin is a necessity. It is what separates her from all the others. He even tells her that the less she goes out, the more he likes it. in fact, he constantly mentions abo..."

I hear you, Sister. I love him too and my gut tells me if she weren't a virgin it would have been "all she wrote" on that one. It drives me nuts. I can even go so far as to understand his point of view but it still kills me and I hate it but love him.

This contains spoilers so if you haven't read The Summer Garden, don't read this comment. OK, this is off topic, but what do you all think of Alexander after what he does to Tatiana in The Summer Garden? The cheating, lying, and then him hitting her because she was calling him out on his crap? I loved him before all this happened then when I read all of that mess, I couldn't stand him, but by the end of the book I liked him again, not as much as before, but I no longer hated his guts. He has so many qualities to love, but he also is so possessive and demanding. Also, does anyone else resolve all their fights and problems during sex like they do? It could just be me, but I didn't know people actually did that. When I'm upset, I definitely don't want to be touched. I liked the different perspective the books give me though.

Tina wrote: "question 1...In Tatiana's Table, there is an alternitive..it's a "what if" alternitive from Tatiana to Alexander...If anyone wants to know it I can explain it..I don't want to spoil it for people t..."

Where can you even buy Tatiana's Table. I can't find it. Is it worth reading or is it mainly a cook book?

Tina wrote: "question 1...In Tatiana's Table, there is an alternitive..it's a "what if" alternitive from Tatiana to Alexander...If anyone wants to know it I can explain it..I don't want to spoil it for people t..."

I would love to know what the "what if" ending is.

It is definitely worth reading! There are little cute stories thrown in there. I really liked it!

Mandy wrote: "Tina wrote: "question 1...In Tatiana's Table, there is an alternitive..it's a "what if" alternitive from Tatiana to Alexander...If anyone wants to know it I can explain it..I don't want to spoil it..."

It is not just a cookbook, although it does have all Tatiana and Alexander's favorite foods. But the best part is the little stories that were not written in the other 3 books.

You can only find the book online and it is very expensive. Why, I don't know. I was lucky I found it a couple of years ago for a reasonable price.

I would be happy to write the "what if" ending. I will mark it as spoiler just in case someone doesn't want to read it.

Mandy wrote: "This contains spoilers so if you haven't read The Summer Garden, don't read this comment. OK, this is off topic, but what do you all think of Alexander after what he does to Tatiana in The Summer ..."

I agree, what Alexander did was horrible. I had a very hard time reading it. Had to keep putting the book done while I had a freak out moment. I just couldn't believe that "my" Alexander would do such a thing.....then I thought about it some more and Tatiana was just as bad. Maybe not to the extent that he went to but emotionally she treated him horrible. He kept telling her how he was feeling about her working and the Doctor that was after her, but she wouldn't listen to him. She was pushing him away. So I think they both had a hand in the whole mess, and it scarred be for life :)

That was such a turning point in the Summer Garden. I was upset too in the moment but now that i've had some time, years really to let it all sink in. I guess I understand what happened from both points of view.

I interested to see if my view changes after I reread the Summer Garden here in a few weeks. Haha!

I also think that Tatiana is not innocent in the troubles they were having.

If not for all the pain and suffering they endured together for all the love and times they had saved each others lives I don't think they could have repaired the damage. Also the fact that she was pregnant she new Alexander would NEVER let her go. She was helpless to him and always has been.

There is also an aspect to living that you just have to do yourself. Tatiana and Alexander did have a great love, a great history, a great journey, but they are individual humans who individually had to learn to deal with life after war. Alexander went through his stuff with the construrction company and the father figure and issues and all of that. Learning how to live in the world again. He made poor choices but he had to see for himself and get it. Tatiana could see it the whole time and no matter how much she told him, he just couldn't see it for himself.
And Tatiana had to learn to live too. Her hospital time was about trying to save all the people she couldn't and she ended up almost losing the ones she could save. Alexander knew it and saw it. He even told her that. He said she was right about the construction company he should have listened. And that she should listen to him now about working nights. But again, until she could see it for herself she couldn't move on. They fought so many battles together but some you just have to do yourself. And they loved each other patiently while they learned to see for themselves.

Can anyone tell me the book Tatianna was reading in the Summer Garden? I think it might be Queen Margot by Alexander Dumas but, I am not sure.

You might be right, honestly I can't remember. But I am rereading the Summer Garden right now so i'll let you know. Although, i'm sure the ladies in the group will know :)

Could someone please mention the birthdays of the characters?

Hi, everyone. I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this question but I really need some help.

Does anyone know how can I reach Paullina Simons, her agent or the publisher that owns the international selling rights of her books? A friend of mine tried to reach her in facebook but she never answered back, so probably that's not the best way to talk to her.

The problem is: in my country (Portugal) the publisher who is translating The Bronze Horseman's Trilogy is selling only the first two books, but is promoting them as being the entire trilogy. They cut the last 3 chapters of Tatiana & Alexander and are going to publish these 3 chapters as being the 3rd book. In resume: we are going to read only 2 books of the trilogy, divided in 3 volumes. Is this legal.. to sell a trilogy that is not really a trilogy??

I would be very grateful if someone could provide me Paullina's email. Thank you!

Carla wrote: "Hi, everyone. I'm not sure if this is the right place to post this question but I really need some help.

Does anyone know how can I reach Paullina Simons, her agent or the publisher who owns the ..."

I know her facebook page is run by her daughter ... I wouldn't know where else to get her info Carla

You could try via her website or just contacting the publisher...

Hi! Thank you both for the reply.

I tried her official website but the message forum is unavailable.. :( I also sent a private message via facebook but nothing until now.


What publisher should I contact, by the way? (I think that's my last chance).

Update: I already know what is the email. It's on her website. Thank you all!

Carla wrote: "Update: I already know what is the email. It's on her website. Thank you all!"

Let us know how it goes! Good luck ... it would be a shame to lose any part of this wonderful book!

Unfortunately I had no feedback at all until now.

You know, I totally agree that their marriage trouble could be blamed on both of them. Alexander BROKE my heart when he went and acted like a teenage boy, thinking with his pants and not his head/heart... but he eventually DID think with his head/heart. However, Tatiana was thinking with her heart when she was working in the hospital and taking the night shift. She even said she liked the way the doctor made her feel. So, she may not have physically strayed, but she strayed!!! Bottom line is that they were both suffering from PTSD with zero help from the outside world. I wanted to throw my Kindle so many times... I just wanted them to talk to each other and actually LISTEN... to go back to the beginning and for Tatia to FEED Alexander, because he was hungry. Man, I love these books!!

Betty wrote: "You know, I totally agree that their marriage trouble could be blamed on both of them. Alexander BROKE my heart when he went and acted like a teenage boy, thinking with his pants and not his head/..."
Perfectly said Betty. My favourite books of all time! Have you read Bellagrand as yet?

No, I haven't... I'm afraid to. I love books with happy endings and as you know, his parent's just don't have a happy ending. So I really don't know what to do.

Betty wrote: "No, I haven't... I'm afraid to. I love books with happy endings and as you know, his parent's just don't have a happy ending. So I really don't know what to do."
I was like you too Betty. I have to have the HEA. Bellagrand gives you so much insight into Alexander and he's featured quite a bit. Plus I loved his mother. Unfortunately you have to read Children of Liberty prior, as a prelude. I didn't enjoy CoL but it was a quick read.

I "one-clicked" Bellagrand last night... $1.99 is a bargain!!!

Betty wrote: "I "one-clicked" Bellagrand last night... $1.99 is a bargain!!!"
Hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

I couldn't bring myself to read Bellagrand and Children of Liberty. The only other book that I really like by Paullina Simons is the The Girl In Times Square.

I also loved Tully and Song In The Daylight

I just finished and loved it

Has anyone read lone star? I started, but can't get into it...

Yes, Andrea, I read it and loved It was a little slow to start but things pick up when Chloe meets Johhny Rainbow.

Ok Milena, I might give it another go