Books Via Ashley discussion

1) Amelia Peabody is not your typical Victorian woman. What words would you use to describe her?

2) Amelia has some strong opinions on women and marriage. What stood out to you the most?

3) What did you think of the way that Amelia described Egypt and the Egyptians? How do you think this reflects the world at the time?

4) Did you learn anything about Ancient Egypt? Did the book make you want to travel to Egypt?

5) Would this make a good movie? Who would you cast in a movie adapted from this book?

6) Which characters did you like best and why?

1) Feisty, opinionated, independent, determined. I love Amelia and how she lets nothing stand in her way! I think she can also be a little oblivious to things around her, such as Emerson ;)

2) I thought it was interesting that often Amelia was quite judgmental of other women, especially those that acted out the expected gender roles at the time. Amelia also held to certain standards as a woman, it was simply that she wouldn't allow herself to be given second place to a man. I like that she sought a man who would be her equal and not (try to) take away from her the freedom that she already had.

3) Some of the things Amelia says would be incredibly racist today, though they were accepted at the time by (white) Westerners. Especially during the Victorian age, the British had an idea that they were superior to all and the pinnacle of civilization, and you see this in the way that Amelia sees the world. She's never unkind or cruel, but just sees the Egyptians as living in an inferior way.

4) Of course I want to travel to Egypt! This just fueled my excitement!

5) I would LOVE to see this as a movie or TV mini-series, though I'm not sure who I would cast. I can imagine Rosalind Pike as Evelyn (since she reminds me a bit of Jane in P&P), and I think Eddie Redmayne would be a great Walter, but no idea for Amelia or Emerson!

6) I love Emerson because he's so big and gruff but such a good guy underneath. I love his relationship with Amelia and the way it develops over the story.

5) Or Daisy Ridley or Emma Thompson as Evelyn. Though part of me thinks that Daisy could do well as Amelia too!
And Henry Cavill as Emerson? GUYS I NEED HELP THIS IS IMPORTANT!

1)
No-nonsense, gumption, meticulous, strong-minded, plucky, intellectual, and cultured.

2)
Amelia could be quite harsh with her opinions of other women, reminiscent of Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice. But unlike Elizabeth, Amelia had Evelyn, who embodied everything that Amelia seemed to view in ill favour; meek, delicate, fainting constantly, etc... Yet, Amelia’s relationship with Evelyn softened her – not changed – no, Amelia is too strong-minded for that, but her rough edges were softened. I believe this was accomplished not so much because they were traveling together (she had a traveling companion at the beginning that she didn’t care two twigs for when she had the audacity to become sick), but because Amelia grew to love Evelyn – like a sister she never had – and in doing so, Amelia became more compassionate for Evelyn the epitome of the “feminine” woman of that age.

Amelia has a wonderfully atypical view on marriage for a Victorian lady. I applaud her on the fact that she doesn’t want to lose her independence, isn’t hoodwinked into marriage by flattery (ever practical, she knows all they want is her money!), and when she finally decides that Emerson is her man, it is because he will treat her as in equal and doesn’t love her solely for her money. Huzzah!

3)
I love how Amelia described Egypt - it was a very romanticized – but it made one want to visit Egypt regardless because of the rich history.
The views expressed throughout the book by Amelia and the others about the Egyptians themselves, by today’s standards, would be considered racist, but at that time, such comments wouldn’t have been frowned upon. Victorian’s were an ethnocentric bunch, not because they were bad people, but because of political and societal circumstance. They were raised to believe in the power and righteousness of the British Empire. In the United States, we had manifest destiny, and the British had theirs, in that, they felt a divine right to spread their virtues and Christian beliefs to the inferior people of their colonies. After all they were the world’s most powerful nation at that time, and as John Wilson said, “the sun never set on the British Empire.” Such views would naturally increase a person’s view of their cultural superiority to any people, whether they were part of the Empire or not. So although such views from Amelia and the others wouldn’t fly today, it adds legitimacy to the time that the story is set and reflects the world at that time.

4)
I guess you could say that I learned some things, but I honestly believe I would have gotten more out of it - appreciated it more - if I knew more about Ancient Egypt. The book didn’t make me want to travel to Egypt – I’d always wanted to go – but the book did make me want to learn more about Ancient Egypt than I already do.

5)
I think it would make a better mini-series than a movie, personally.
Amelia – Needs someone with pose and presence like a young Emma Thompson? Emerson – Armie Hammer (just slap on a dark wavy wig and add a British accent)?, Walter – Hugh Dancy. Evelyn - Carey Mulligan ??


6)
Amelia and Emerson are my favorite characters. They had the best banter, both are stubborn, and both fall in love.

Ashley wrote: "1) Feisty, opinionated, independent, determined. I love Amelia and how she lets nothing stand in her way! I think she can also be a little oblivious to things around her, such as Emerson ;)"

She can be quite oblivious to things around her, though she's never admit it :)

Ashley wrote: "5) I would LOVE to see this as a movie or TV mi..."

Evelyn as Rosalind Pike? I could see it. She did do such a good job as naive and kindhearted Jane in P&P.

Ashley wrote: "6) I love Emerson because he's so big and gruff..."

YES! I also like how their love developed slowly over time instead of the now common inst-love in literature.

Ashley wrote: "5) Or Daisy Ridley or Emma Thompson as Evelyn. Though part of me thinks that Daisy could do well as Amelia too!
And Henry Cavill as Emerson? GUYS I NEED HELP THIS IS IMPORTANT!"

PS - um Henry Cavill has Emerson? Yes!