Women's Classic Literature Enthusiasts discussion

Discussion for Part 2

In this thread, feel free to share any and all thoughts on Part 2 or on the book as a whole, including any spoilers, without hiding them behind tags. That should make for a freer discussion, whenever we're ready.

So far the only likeable character was Countess Elizabeth.

Overall, the book does seem to be how religion fits into ones life.

Charlene wrote: "So far the only likeable character was Countess Elizabeth.

Overall, the book does seem to be how religion fits into ones life."

Wow. I didn’t expect that! Must keep on reading. Somewhere I think I read that a key theme was the rural household as archetype for goodness. I haven’t gotten that either, but I also just need to sit down and knock out fifty or so pages so I’m immersed in it.

I finished this Sunday night. Overall I do think that religion seemed to be a main theme.

There could have been a little bit of the rural household as archetype for goodness. It seems to fit better in the outcome for Marienne.

I wonder if we had read a 19th century book recently, if the writing style would have been easier for us. The writing style is definitely a shock compared with the last few books.

Charlene wrote: "I wonder if we had read a 19th century book recently, if the writing style would have been easier for us. The writing style is definitely a shock compared with the last few books."

That’s a great point, Charlene. I do think that older classics can feel like a slog if one isn’t regularly reading similar vintage works.

I'm really enjoying Part Two. Though still tied together with the characters, each chapter is like a separate fable. I just finished The Witch of Dovre, and it was my favorite so far.

Kathleen wrote: "I'm really enjoying Part Two. Though still tied together with the characters, each chapter is like a separate fable. I just finished The Witch of Dovre, and it was my favorite so far."

Just where I am. She is wonderful. What a terrible, perfectly chosen fate for that witch, Countess Märta. I am fascinated by the way the threads of Gösta , Countess Elizabeth, and a few of the other main characters, are woven in and out of the tall tales. One of my favourite Canadian writers, Jack Hodgins, is of Finnish heritage, and writes the most wonderful tall tales, mostly set on Vancouver Island. He does something like this, although not so poetic and fluid.

Has anyone noticed the first time the narrator begins to comment as herself? I am noticing it quite a bit in this second section. For example, the first sentence of Ch. VII. "Midsummer was hot then as now when I am writing. "

The story begins at the winter solstice, and moves through the cold into spring and summer. The seasons are the atmosphere.

I don't believe that the whole story took place within the year that the narrator wants us to believe.

Ginny wrote: "Has anyone noticed the first time the narrator begins to comment as herself? I am noticing it quite a bit in this second section. For example, the first sentence of Ch. VII. "Midsummer was hot then..."

I really enjoyed her interjections in Part Two, but I think she has made comments throughout, maybe not all as specific. In Pt 1 Ch 7, she starts with "If it should happen to you that you are sitting or lying and reading this at night, as I am writing it during the silent hours …"

Charlene wrote: "I don't believe that the whole story took place within the year that the narrator wants us to believe."

The pensioners/cavaliers are in power for a year, and that year starts on Christmas Eve. But many of the events describes happened before this fateful year. And some later. The narrator is looking back on events she heard described. This is an interesting essay on the use of folklore in this novel. https://www.jstor.org/stable/1499174?...

Ginny wrote: "Charlene wrote: "I don't believe that the whole story took place within the year that the narrator wants us to believe."

The pensioners/cavaliers are in power for a year, and that year starts on C..."

Thanks for that link, Ginny.

Finally managed to finish it. I think it's fair to say I'm part of the heathens who dislike her writing style. The Adventures of Nils is the first book I remember disliking as a child (it was heartbreaking - I didn't know books could be boring!), and I was hoping this novel could reconcile me with Lagerlöf, but it was not to be. I read quite a bit of pre-20th century literature so I can't even blame that, as I found it more of a slog than the repetitive stories of the Decameron or the random lists of The Pillow Book. I just could not see the point of the stories, the characters or the narrator, and actively disliked everyone, especially Gösta. Phew. I'm glad it's over hahaha.

Cam wrote: "Finally managed to finish it. I think it's fair to say I'm part of the heathens who dislike her writing style. The Adventures of Nils is the first book I remember disliking as a child (it was heart..."

I hear you. Funny you mention The Pillow Book. I have much guilt over my inability to read and retain even 25 pages of it, and, in theory, it should be 100% up my reading interest alley. Sometimes something just doesn't work for us, unfortunately. You're a trooper, lol.