Oakville Reads discussion

The ultimate reveal for the cause of Anna’s fasting is devastating. The reader is brought down from a potential miracle, to the most intimate sin. How did you react when you learned of Anna's motivations for fasting?

I didn't have a distinct guess about what the cause of her fasting was, although I did feel a twinge of foreboding when (view spoiler)[ we first heard about the talk that had taken place in the community about 'fornication.' (hide spoiler)]. I didn't ever believe that her survival during the fast was a miracle, so it somehow didn't surprise me that her reason for fasting would be such a tragic one.

It's hard for me to explain how surprised I was by the reveal, and yet in retrospect feel like I should have guessed. When Rosaleen explains to Lib that (view spoiler)[ in his photo, Anna's brother Pat is actually dead, the painted eyes should had inspired a deeper foreboding. Not all was as it seemed. (hide spoiler)] Like Emily, I didn't believe that her survival on the fast was a miracle, I simply assumed she was taking her devotion to god to an extreme. The tragedy of her reason is even more painful for me because she blames herself.

Like Emily and Ashley, I was also shocked by Anna's reasons for fasting. It was devastatingly sad. I felt profoundly sorry for Anna, a young innocent girl. Given that (view spoiler)[incest and sexual assault are so difficult to speak about now, it's easy to imagine what taboos they would have been in the 1800s. (hide spoiler)]

I was relieved that The Wonder ended on a happy note for Lib and Anna, although I found (view spoiler)[Lib's romance somewhat contrived and almost too convenient. (hide spoiler)]

Susan wrote: "Like Emily and Ashley, I was also shocked by Anna's reasons for fasting. It was devastatingly sad. I felt profoundly sorry for Anna, a young innocent girl. Given that [spoilers removed]

I was reli..."

Late to the discussion but I agree with your thoughts on The Wonder's ending, Susan. (Although I do love happy endings!) Like Lib, I figured something was afoot but unsure what. I actually suspected the mother because we've heard of people who think martyrdom is one of the most honourable ways to get to heaven, such is our heart's tendency to latch onto possibilities of salvation despite the price.

That said, I do like Donoghue's writing--so clear and concise. And I guess, given most of the novel was so dark and almost claustrophobic in tone, the happy ending was like an absolution.

Maureen wrote: "Susan wrote: "Like Emily and Ashley, I was also shocked by Anna's reasons for fasting. It was devastatingly sad. I felt profoundly sorry for Anna, a young innocent girl. Given that [spoilers remove..."
You're so right, Maureen. The novel was dark and claustrophobic and the ending felt light and hopeful. I love the idea of the ending being an absolution. I looked up the definition: "release from guilt, obligation, or punishment." So true in Anna's case; She was wracked with guilt and punishing herself. Her escape with Lib saved her from those things.

Like some of you - and Lib herself - I didn't believe in any miracle, at least not one brought about by God or the church. I'd have more likely believed in fairy magic if artfully told, or a ruse more ingenious than Lib or us readers could discover, which (view spoiler)[ was almost the case with how the manna was delivered... and can I just say a tiny 'ew' to that? (hide spoiler)]

The ultimate reveal WAS devastating... and yet so cleverly brought about. I often pick up on small clues and draw correct conclusions in advance, but in this case they were sooo subtle, spaced and drawn out that I knew something was wrong about Pat, but they didn't quite lead me all the way to the spoiler; I experienced seeing it come only a couple of minutes in advance, before the moment my hand covered my suddenly gaping mouth. Then I further enjoyed the reflection of how the teeny tip offs were there - the way had indeed been understated, but paved. (I didn't "like" the truth please understand - just how it was arrived at and told.)

Susan, I agree with you in part, about how taboo it might have been to be open about what happened... but I also wonder if possibly not? Didn't cousins more regularly marry cousins, even first cousins, back then? Weren't there some uncles who took their nieces as brides?
People traveled considerably less, and often knew only their own townsfolk, or maybe those from within 10 miles around. Look what a big deal it was for Lib to have come 'all the way from London'. The variety and availability of new faces - for gene pool reasons or just for friends - was extremely limited.
I think it's almost as tragic that a girl would have had such a very small circle of people to consider telling the truth to... and if she wasn't believed... that was the end of any possible redemption for her.

Terry wrote: "Like some of you - and Lib herself - I didn't believe in any miracle, at least not one brought about by God or the church. I'd have more likely believed in fairy magic if artfully told, or a ruse m..."
Thanks for this very entertaining answer, Terry. I loved reading your description of reading your way towards "the big reveal." I also agree with your "ew" factor!

Unfortunately, I don't have enough knowledge to answer your question about inter-family marriages, etc., but it would be fascinating to have an answer. It's been awhile since I read the book but it still disturbs me and makes me incredibly sad to think of Anna enduring such abuse. Such a young, innocent girl, she seemed frail and powerless. And telling the truth would have seemed next to impossible to her.

Terry wrote: "Like some of you - and Lib herself - I didn't believe in any miracle, at least not one brought about by God or the church. I'd have more likely believed in fairy magic if artfully told, or a ruse m..."
Terry, I'm going to post your question on Emma Donoghue's author page, and perhaps she will answer us.

Thanks for your compliments Susan, and for continuing the conversation after the month ended.
I too felt so poorly for Anna, having suffered so, and with such misunderstandings of what about (what happened) is ok and what's not, and what's 'gods will' and what's not... she was so young. How extra hard it would be, with few people to confide in - and if she did/could... perhaps some of those not addressing it as the (view spoiler)[ abuse at her brother's hand (hide spoiler)] that it was (if there's any truth to my thoughts about cousins marrying, etc.)

I didn't expect anyone to answer the questions I posed, but I'm certainly curious if any of my musings crossed the author's mind! I'll have to find your post to her and follow along, just in case. :)

Terry wrote: "Thanks for your compliments Susan, and for continuing the conversation after the month ended.
I too felt so poorly for Anna, having suffered so, and with such misunderstandings of what about (what ..."
My pleasure to keep the conversation going! I posted the question on Donoghue's author page. After posting, I got a message that the question will not appear on the page until the author answers it. If she does, I will let you know.

That's great - and very cool of you to post to her. :) Thank you!

Terry wrote: "Thanks for your compliments Susan, and for continuing the conversation after the month ended.
I too felt so poorly for Anna, having suffered so, and with such misunderstandings of what about (what ..."
Terry, Emma Donaghue did answer the question. Here it is:
[Hello Emma, Our GoodReads group called "Oakville Reads" discussed The Wonder in February 2017. One of our members wondered about how taboo it might have been to be open about what happened between Anna and Pat. Back then, and given the small community, did cousins more regularly marry cousins, even first cousins? Weren't there some uncles who took their nieces as brides? (hide spoiler)]

Emma Donoghue SPOILER ALERT. Hm, I haven't heard about Irish uncle-niece marriages and that's certainly not allowed by the Catholic church. For first cousins you had to seek permission. And neither of those cases is like brother-sister full sibling bonds, which I feel pretty confident was absolutely taboo.

That's VERY cool that she answered! Though it was a passing thought of mine at the time of writing, I've been thinking about it since the above discussion, and I have to agree with her that (view spoiler)[ sibling relations of any kind are much more taboo, and would have been then too; (hide spoiler)] Also the Church's influence is a good point - small communities almost uniformly looked to their church for answers.
Such a good book.
(And I'm grinning a bit still that Emma responded to us!)