Madam, want to talk about author Mary Stewart? discussion

Spoilers freely discussed, but please either mark them as such using the HTML tags and/or unclick the "Add to my update feed" to keep them off the feeds.

Just finished, and really enjoyed it overall. Quite an exciting finish, with the added plus of no lengthy wrap up of events.

I heart Sir Julian :)

Misfit,
You asked about why Godfrey wanted to kill the dolphin. As I understood it, he did it for "kicks" - he got off on it. I wish Stewart had explored his personality more - he was one messed up SOB - I'd like to have had more backstory on why he became that way.

Hannah wrote: "Misfit,
You asked about why Godfrey wanted to kill the dolphin. As I understood it, he did it for "kicks" - he got off on it. I wish Stewart had explored his personality more - he was one messed ..."

Thanks Hannah. It really was a bit odd how he went from nature lovin' photographer to bad ass meanie like that. Or perhaps he was a bad ass meanie who went in pretending to be a nice guy...

Yes, he was doing a lot of pretending.

I threw in the towel at 80%, I'm sorry to say. This one failed to grab me from the very beginning. :(

Jeannette wrote: "I threw in the towel at 80%"

I understand what bugged you but the last 20% is the best bit. Honest.

Catie wrote: "Jeannette wrote: "I threw in the towel at 80%"

I understand what bugged you but the last 20% is the best bit. Honest."

That's too bad. I skimmed through most of the ending, and I still have the book, so I'll probably read it before I return it. But, I kept thinking that I could get back to my sweet little gardening book... ;)

Catie wrote: "Jeannette wrote: "I threw in the towel at 80%"

I understand what bugged you but the last 20% is the best bit. Honest."

Yeah, it really rocked at the end. Don't feel bad though, these things do happen.

Jeannette wrote: "That's too bad. I skimmed through most of the ending..."
You know what, if you skimmed it and it didn't grab you, it probably wasn't for you this time. So I wouldn't worry. For me the last part of the book grabbed me by the scruff and didn't let go. Made up for some of my concerns earlier on.
And if any of the above is legible it's a blooming miracle as typed with my arms full of two amorous kittys. It's a challenge, I tell you

Oh, yeah, it's legible despite your "handicap"! lol My cats only sit on me when I'm reading.

I had a bad feeling from the beginning of this one. But, I don't plan on giving up on Mary Stewart.

Jeannette wrote: "My cats only sit on me when I'm reading.."
Sit? I should be so lucky...they wreathe and writhe and wriggle...
I hope you enjoy your next MS better.

Jeannette wrote: "Oh, yeah, it's legible despite your "handicap"! lol My cats only sit on me when I'm reading.

I had a bad feeling from the beginning of this one. But, I don't plan on giving up on Mary Stewart."

Such a handicap. The best kind.

Finished this morning and really liked it. I think I have figured out how to mark spoilers. The whole (view spoiler)[ boat scene between Lucy and Godfrey, and then Lucy in the water up until the dolphin pushed her to shore was so exciting. And I agree as pointed out earlier that Godfrey was a twisted individual. Even though he had tamed the dolphin and photographed it, he had no qualms about shooting at it when he felt word of the dolphin was bringing too many tourists around. Likewise, he plotted to get rid of Spiro when he thought Spiro may have seen one of the counterfeit bills in his wallet. (hide spoiler)]

Glad I did this group read and looking forward to more Mary Stewart in my future.

Diane Lynn wrote: "Finished this morning and really liked it. I think I have figured out how to mark spoilers. The whole [spoilers removed]

Glad I did this group read and looking forward to more Mary Stewart in my ..."

Spoiler tags worked. I'm glad you joined us, we'll have to schedule another buddy read. Or should we do another Victoria Holt next at the JP/VH group?

I'm game to try Holt again, maybe next month? I shoot for trying 3 books before I give up on an author.

Jeannette wrote: "I'm game to try Holt again, maybe next month? I shoot for trying 3 books before I give up on an author."

I've been eyeing my Holts that I have on hand. One is a South African setting and I need a book on that continent for a challenge, so Snare of Serpents is moving up the pile.

Misfit wrote: "Diane Lynn wrote: "Finished this morning and really liked it. I think I have figured out how to mark spoilers. The whole [spoilers removed]

Glad I did this group read and looking forward to more ..."

Funny you mentioned VH because I was just picking up The India Fan and I have also been eyeing one that takes place in Ceylon, I think it has "tiger" in the title but of course now the name escapes me. Snare of serpents looks good too, off to check library site. I'm game for a VH, but... there's another group home for these wonderful books? Off to check that out as well.

Diane Lynn wrote: "I have also been eyeing one that takes place in Ceylon, I think it has "tiger" in the title but of course now the name escapes me. ..."

I think you're thinking of this one:
Spring of the Tiger
one of my fondly remembered favorites :)

@Diane, I'll send you an invite to that group.

Here's the link to the VH/JP group.

Hannah wrote: "Diane Lynn wrote: "I have also been eyeing one that takes place in Ceylon, I think it has "tiger" in the title but of course now the name escapes me. ..."

I think you're thinking of this one:
Spri..."

Yes, thank you, that's the one. Reading the description, I wonder if it takes place on a tea plantation.

Misfit wrote: "Here's the link to the VH/JP group."

Thank you, I just joined

Snare of Serpents in March??

Jeannette wrote: "Snare of Serpents in March??"

I'm game. Anyone else?

Yeah, it's been a long time since I read this one. And I know right where it is!

I'd love to join, too. Missed the last buddy VH read - still have that in my pile, but I won't pick it up right away. I don't like to read 2 books in a row by the same author, usually, though I have done with some mysteries.

Looks like we're going to shoot for Snare of Serpants in March over at the JP/VH group in March. No pressue, just join in if you want.

I'll be joining Snare of Serpents as well, found at my library:)

Diane Lynn wrote: "I'll be joining Snare of Serpents as well, found at my library:)"

Yay!

Misfit wrote: "Diane Lynn wrote: "I'll be joining Snare of Serpents as well, found at my library:)"

Yay!"

Now I know how much fun a buddy read can be! So glad I joined, you ladies are fun, so thank you. Could be a new addiction:)

Misfit wrote: "Jeannette wrote: "Snare of Serpents in March??"

I'm game. Anyone else?"

I would like to but first I have to find an ebook version of this book.

As Jeannette, I wasn't so fascinated by this book as Madam will you talk? A pity I couldn't joined in time for the discussions. I had a lot of fun while reading the last MS's book with this great group of friends.

Laura wrote: "As Jeannette, I wasn't so fascinated by this book as Madam will you talk? A pity I couldn't joined in time for the discussions. I had a lot of fun while reading the last MS's book with this great ..."

How was your trip? You had a good excuse to miss the discussion, didn't you?

The trip was great, I managed to visit The Strand in NYC where I found a lot of interesting books with bargain prices. We could spend a whole day there. Thanks to Hayes for this tip. During our visit in Concord (NC) we got some snow also which I loved since it was warm here in Brazil. It was very nice to stay with our friends, we had a wonderful time together even if it was a short travel.

I'm glad you had a nice time, and got to experience some of our lovely winter weather! (We just got quite a bit of snow today.)

I am used of a cold winter weather and I really like it since our temperatures never drop that much in the winter time.

You like it because you can go back home! I like watching it from inside my house. :)

:O)

Well, I wish I could have joined you all for this buddy read. My book didn't come in until everyone was practically done. *sad sigh* I enjoyed this one though. Mary Stewart is da bomb!

Here are some of my thoughts:

I knew Godfrey was the bad guy from the moment he showed up. So for me this was more of a mystery on 'why' more than 'who.'

And while yes, the dolphin and the townspeople saved Lucy, I also believe she saved herself. Stewart's heroines are tough, which is excellent, especially considering this book written back in the sixties.

I can't help but think that if this were written today, the packages would be drugs.

Anyhoo, I will definitely be reading more of Stewart’s books.

I do like Stewart's smart, tough women, with a sense of fashion, to boot.

Are you in for our Victoria Holt buddy-read?

Willowfaerie wrote: "Well, I wish I could have joined you all for this buddy read. My book didn't come in until everyone was practically done. *sad sigh* I enjoyed this one though. Mary Stewart is da bomb!

Here are..."

I agree with everything you said except I was fooled by Godfrey for a little while. Doesn't take much to fool me:) This was not only my first Stewart, but my first buddy read. She is "da bomb" and I have more of hers on my shelves at home. I loved the dolphin, he was the hero in my eyes! I am going to start MWYT before too long and will tag onto the comments like you did here. So I hear and understand your *sad sigh* and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Willowfaerie wrote: "Well, I wish I could have joined you all for this buddy read. My book didn't come in until everyone was practically done. *sad sigh* I enjoyed this one though. Mary Stewart is da bomb!

Here are..."

Better late than never. Glad to see Stewart's got a few new fans.

Yes, I loved the dolphin too. It was wonderfully satisfying with the way dolphin paid her back. I just wish they hadn't drug the poor thing along the beach with just a rope. They should have found a tarp or something to make it easier. Eeeek! I was cringing.

Stewart is fun to read though. She makes me want to travel the world, and I always feel so nostalgic. :)

I'll be looking forward to seeing what you think of Madam Will You Talk, Diane Lynn.

Note the different posting instructions for SPOILERLAND in Misfit's first post above.

Finished TRM for the third time and, yes, I still love it! One of Mrs. Stewart's better books. However, like both other times I've read this book, the ending bothered me. It's a good ending, it wraps up the story very nicely, but I can't help but feel it is lacking in something. There is resolution, but not the kind I usually like. For one, we don't get a tearful reunion of Lucy and her sister, Phyllida, who I quite like as a character. For another, no mention is given of how things will be settled with the forged currency in Albania. I can see that the stuff in Albania is not really central to the plot at all, just really an explanation of why G. was doing all that he was doing, but still. A little resolution there would have been nice.

I am in no means saying this ending was bad. I loved it. I just wish that we'd been given a slightly longer explanation of what happens afterwards. An epilogue or something like would have been nice. But Mrs. Stewart never does those, sadly. Part of me, as a fan, wishes that there was a sequel with all these wonderful characters (except G. obviously) just to see what happens with Lucy and Max and Phyl and Sir Julian, and just everyone. A wonderful book, regardless!

I wonder if Godfrey didn't have time to deliver the box of currency that he had in the boat? He got back to the house fairly quickly, it seems. I've always thought that he was going to make a run for it and he'd dumped the box overboard just in case he was caught.

The ending reminds me of how much Stewart seemed to like in-laws and extended family. (I seem to remember one of her books being dedicated to her in-laws?) A nice touch, I think, that little bit of dual proposal!

I would've liked to meet Leo, too; he could have showed up and really complicated things! I've always wondered why Maria didn't have her share in the welcoming, too.

But, all in all, it's a terrific read!

I would have liked to meet Leo too! He is a bit nebulous at the start, isn't he? But I do think she did a great job of introducing him to us through Phyll. And even though Phyll doesn't get a ton of stage time later on in the book, she is characterized so well that I love reading her. Being pregnant kept her out of the adventures, but I don't have any quarrel with that. Since she's in the mammoth phase, it would be a little ridiculous if she was part of the action!

Arriving late to the discussion so I'll just post my comments here...really enjoyed it. It had been many years since I read TRM. I remembered quite a bit of it (view spoiler)[(up to the dolphin rescue) (hide spoiler)] but after that it got hazy, so it was like reading a new book.

Loved Lucy as a character and her funny quips, like the description of the Castello and her tour of the ruined villa. Thought it was very funny when she listed how many minutes she was able to use up at each statue and how she was a "classicist."

Thought the ending was perfect: (view spoiler)[so many "performances." Lucy had to give the performance of her life, Godfrey was acting all the time, and Sir Julian got into the act as well. :) Oh, an Phyll had to call G and act like she was worried about Lucy, too. (hide spoiler)] I think it would have made a wonderful Hitchcock movie.

Sara wrote: "I think it would have made a wonderful Hitchcock movie."

Can you imagine what Hitchcock could have done with this book? Or most of MS's other romantic suspense novels, for that matter. I have no real desire to see Disney's version of The Moon-Spinners, but if Hitchcock had done it, I would have been there in a second.