Reader's Ink discussion

HOW DO YOU LIKE THE DIVERSE CHARACTERS OF THE SISTERS? DO THEY SEEM REALISTIC OR CARTOONY?

I thought Honora was TOO perfect. I mean, she has a gazillion kids who are starving and she remains pious and pure? She never yells at her husband to butcher the freaking horse to feed their kids? (Her husband, too, I felt was too GOOD.) She kinda got on my nerves at times.

I liked Maire much more than Honora. She was more realistic--or at least more interesting. Sure, some of her flirtiness and worldliness seemed a tad forced, as if Kelly was purposely trying to contrast her with Pious Honora, but at least Maire wasn't above an eye roll, a little sexual adventure, or skepticism that everything would work out.

I LOVED MAIRE. SHE SEEMED MUCH MORE REAL TO ME THAN HONORA. HER SACRIFICES FOR THE FAMILY WERE WHAT SHE CHOSE TO DO, MORE FOR HER THAN FOR HONORA AND THE FAMILY. THE PIKES WERE ALL BASTARDS, INCLUDING THE SON WHO HAD NO BACKBONE OR REAL CHARACTER. OF COURSE, THAT'S PROBABLY WHY HE NEVER WAS ACTUALLY IN THE BOOK. HIS CHILDREN TOOK HIS PLACE AND ECHOED THE STRENGTH OF MAIRE. I WANTE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT HER WORK AT MARSHALL FIELDS!