Women's Classic Literature Enthusiasts discussion

This thread is for posting thoughts about the Prologue and Books 1 and 2.

I was trying to tell The Old Man (hubby) about this book, and I said it was more like a collection of vignettes than a story with a "plot". He doesn't really understand the term "vignettes", and it wasn't really the word I was searching for, anyway. But I told him it was a series of stories of persons who figured in the life of the central character, a Catholic clergyman sent 'way out to the New Mexico territory in the aftermath of the Mexican-American War. It's an odd coincidence to be reading this book just before Cinco de Mayo arrives once again!

I'd like to offer a small suggestion to a way to enhance the experience of reading a story set in New Mexico. I remembered that I had a 'Golden Regional Guide', a small-size illustrated book about the "Southwest". I dug it out from among the garage library and enjoyed looking at the pictures of desert rocks and cacti and Indian lore, etc. It gave me a pleasant "footnote", picturing Jean Marie Latour's surroundings out there in his bishopric.

One of the wonderful aspects of this story for me are the visual references I have. I live in the south part of the Texas panhandle and have driven through these areas of New Mexico many times. It is a good suggestion, Mizzou, to look at some pictures of the Southwest to help envision the terrain. It is a starkly beautiful area.

I finished chapter 1 of Book 1 today, and the description of the trip Father Latour had to take to get from Cincinnati to New Mexico was amazing. There was no route other than the Santa Fe trail which was too dangerous because of Comanche raids. So he had to travel down the Mississippi River to New Orleans, sail to Galveston and travel across Texas to San Antonio and over to the Rio Grande valley into New Mexico. This would be a long trip even today, but beginning it in 1850 and finishing about a year later due to a three month injury layover is hard to imagine. His bad luck on that trip was enough to make some men rethink their vocation.

And then within weeks of his arrival, since his authority was not recognized by the Mexicans priests, he has to travel a 3,000 mile journey to Durango and back to retreive his orders. A terribly inauspicious beginning, but it says something about Father Latour that he is willing to go to such lengths to suceed in this difficult place.

I finished Book 2 today and I am finding reading this as much of a pleasure as I did the first time around. Bishop Latour is very sensitive to the feelings of the locals and everyone loves Father Vaillant for being such a hard-worker.

In Book 1, Chapter 4, I thought it was funny when it mentioned that on the first morning that Bishop Latour was back from his trip to Durango, he was tired so he slept late the next morning. He did not awaken until six o'clock. How astounding that six o'clock is considered sleeping late!!

In Book 2, Chapter 1, Father Vaillant was terribly sneaky when he essentially conned one of the rich ranchers into giving both of his prized mules to the priest and the Bishop, but even the rancher didn't feel bad about being conned. This is the first time I haven't liked the actions of Father Vaillant since I thought he should have simply asked outright for the mules as a gift rather than making the rancher feel guilty for only offering one.

In Book 2, Chapter 2, we are introduced briefly to Kit Carson which makes me want to research more about him as a real person. I know really nothing about him, but I would like to know what he was really famous for since I have heard of him. I know he was an early explorer of the desert Southwest that's about the extent of my knowledge.

I just finished up the first sections last night. It was heartbreaking to see Bishop Latour and Father Vaillant clinging to their French Christmas traditions.

Do you think that since Father Latour and Father Vaillant are foreigners in New Mexico is helping them or not?

At this point in the story, I am sort of torn on that. I think it was a benefit to them as I don't see the rich rancher giving away the two mules to Father Vaillant if he was Mexican. That was sort of the rancher's way of showing off his wealth and trying to impress. He would not have done that for a Mexican priest as they probably already know what the ranches in the area are capable of.

On the other hand, it does hinder them. The two French priest in a mainly Spanish area sort of isolates them.

Charlene wrote: "I just finished up the first sections last night. It was heartbreaking to see Bishop Latour and Father Vaillant clinging to their French Christmas traditions."

I think this is a fairly typical experience for immigrants to cling to the familiar ways on holidays since other days they try do things as they are done in the new country. It is also a way to feel closer to the family members still in France since holidays are when family is missed the most. It serves to highlight how different their new home is when the proper food can't be found to make traditional French dishes.

Charlene wrote: "Do you think that since Father Latour and Father Vaillant are foreigners in New Mexico is helping them or not?

At this point in the story, I am sort of torn on that. I think it was a benefit to th..."

It seems like being foreigners is both beneficial and detrimental. I can see that the benefit is that they are not caught up in the native superstitions and incorrect doctrine that have crept into the Catholicism being practiced by the natives. They can probably help bring a new view of the Catholic church to some areas which is needed, such as the Native Americans who Father Vaillant preached to who would not allow their children to be christened. These people had been treated badly by Mexican priests, so the French priests may have a chance to show the natives a more humane side of the Catholic church.

But I think they are at a disadvantage since they don't know the terrain or the ways of the natives. In all probability, Father Vaillant would have not been sold such a broken down horse if he was not considered a clueless foreigner. I agree that the rancher was showing off to the new priest which he wouldn't have done with a Mexican priest.