Victorians! discussion

Oh My God! The Stew!

More adventures on the water. Plus, I'm noticing that Jerome's historical anecdotes have a way of leading him to humorous observations, such as Henry VIII, Anne Bolelyn, and the disadvantages of being around a courting couple.

1) What did you most enjoy about this section?
2) Do any of the anecdotes in the book so far remind you of your personal experiences?
3) Montmorency plays a larger part in this section. How does the dog add to the story being told?
4) Some people do not travel well together, in spite of any previous relationship. What indications do we have that these gentlemen will ( or will not) be able to maintain their friendship after this vacation?

Yes, the stew! Even Montmorency wanted to contribute and they seriously discussed it! Can you imagine? Though by the time they added the already cracked eggs I was thinking good thing I am not eating right now.

The adventure with the scrambled eggs had me in stitches as well.

"The result was not altogether the success that Harris had anticipated.  There seemed so little to show for the business.  Six eggs had gone into the frying-pan, and all that came out was a teaspoonful of burnt and unappetizing looking mess."

Of course this wasn't the end,

" I slid down into the boat and cleaned out the frying-pan with a stick of wood and a tuft of grass, polishing it up finally with George’s wet shirt."

Oh, the wet shirt was such a brilliant detail!

There were lots of pretty passages in this one which I enjoyed aside from the anecdotes- Marlow, floating along the river just before the went bang into the old men who were fishing (I loved how he combined description with the bang bringing them *and us) back into reality, and the humour that followed). I also loved the bit about the Magna Carta

Of the funny bits- the procession back to the boat after their shopping trip, George's adventures waking up early, the Banjo (that reminded me most of Bertie Wooster and his Ukulele), the pineapple tin, banging into the old men who were fishing, the punting, and how they could never get away from a pair of lovers. And of course Montmorency and the cat.

I love that Montmorency has a voice in this section. It's the voice in Jerome's imagination, but still it's probably as accurate as his report of what his other friends have had to say on this journey. :)

Renee wrote: "Oh, the wet shirt was such a brilliant detail!"

One wonders whether it was fictional, or whether he really did use a wet shirt as a dishrag.

I've been wondering that about several of their exploits.

Renee wrote: "I've been wondering that about several of their exploits."

Yes- even the ones that sound exaggerated are may be just that an exaggerated version of what really happened.

Not a lot of time to read this month as I have been walking the Hadrian's Wall Path, but that's done (great time!) and I got a good chuck of 3 Men read on the plane back.

My favorite part so far is the conversation between Montmorency and the cat. I've witnessed scenes like that--we had a cat like that, fearless with regards to dogs, and quite articulate and polite in his condescension.

I find myself wanting to skim the purple prose sections when JKJ goes off in a reverie.

Jane wrote: "My favorite part so far is the conversation between Montmorency and the cat. I've witnessed scenes like that--we had a cat like that, fearless with regards to dogs, and quite articulate and polite in his condescension. "

Oh, yes! Anybody who thinks animals don't communicate has never seen a cat and a dog in conversation. I think Jerome gets it dead on. Cats may appear enigmatic, but they can make their view very well known when they want to!

Jane wrote: "I find myself wanting to skim the purple prose sections when JKJ goes off in a reverie. ."

I love those parts!

They have their place, but they go on a smidge too long for my taste.

BTW, I didn't know there was a Magna Charter island. Must investigate.

The Irish Stew - a taste like nothing else on earth.

Never was a truer sentence ever penned!

Everyman wrote: "Jane wrote: "I find myself wanting to skim the purple prose sections when JKJ goes off in a reverie. ."

I love those parts!"

I loved them as well- I enjoyed the one about floating along the river especially- and the bang that brought them (and us) back to reality. One really went off into a dream along with him.

I find it a nice mix of anecdote, revery, and chaos. But I can see that it might feel disjointed; too slow for some in parts, too silly for others. I think this is one reason I look forward to revisiting at some point. Then I'll be able to pick up on the things I know I'm missing this time through without the pressure to see what happens to them next.

i love the bit about the courting couples - "I've just met mr Henry VIII in the lane and he's going the same way as I am." And trying to find the right hotel to stay in. And of course trying to open the tin of pineapple. And the making of the stew. And the swans.