The Crimson Petal and the White Readalong discussion

Let's discuss part 5 here.

I am really interested to hear what you guys make of the ending... I couldn't cope...

***spoilers****spoilers***spoilers***
I hope I am doing this right, first reading group.
I did not like the ending. I wanted more information about Sugar's fate....it felt a little incomplete, and I am thinking this makes it more of a three star for me. A more suspenseful escape, with more detail maybe?

WTF on that ending?

I guess it’s only fitting that our narrator and guide abruptly leaves us at the end of the book. Throughout we’ve been reminded how transient our fortunes are. How opportunity escapes us time and time again and that our dreams of greatness are often ground under the day to day. Still the narrators voice starts off strong and direct, then slowly recedes into the background as the story moves, only to reappear in the final pages to brush off his pants, get up, and leave the room as if just remembering a prior commitment with someone far more interesting.

Much as Faber’s Book of Strange New Things could be seen as a mediation on the ever growing gap between him and his dying wife, this could point to the many years he toiled on the book, perhaps fearing it would come to nothing. Writing figures prominently throughout and - I admit this is a bit of a stretch but indulge me - each character represents a stage in his writing.

William never gets beyond intent and mentions several times how he’s going to submit something to Punch about servants getting jittery in rainy weather. Agnes noodles along in her writing but can hardly resolve it into a cohesive narrative. Sugar has a story and a theme but ultimately abandons her Victorian prostitute, revenge-porn, story. Henry’s writing, in a fit of despair, amounts to nothing and ends up being consigned to the fire (and then some) Even Bodley and Ashwell, who managed to get published, reveal they’ve fared poorly in their efforts to see anything from their works.

Frustration at the ending doesn’t impede my overall enjoyment of the book. Another big fat read that I got very comfortable inhabiting. (in fact would have been happy to inhabit a bit longer for a more traditional ending)

David wrote: "WTF on that ending?

I guess it’s only fitting that our narrator and guide abruptly leaves us at the end of the book. Throughout we’ve been reminded how transient our fortunes are. How opportunity ..."

Indeed, WFT re the ending! Glad I am not alone in that… But you are right, the book is great, nevertheless.