Persephone Books discussion

Here we can leave our thoughts/discussion questions on finishing Expiation

Finished this one yesterday and loved it.
I enjoyed the mixture of darkness and humour and felt quite sorry for poor Milly even though she had been having an affair with Arthur.
A lot of characters in this one but I didn't get confused.
I loved 'Old Mrs Bott' , her kindness for Milly was so sweet.
A few questions for those joining in :
- Do you think Milly should of told Arthur that Ernest knew about them both all along?
-Do you think Milly did the right thing handing over the only money she had to her sister Aggie?
-Do you think Milly will be happy staying with the Bott's ?

I have finished this one now. I also loved it. Mrs Bott was a great character, wasn't she. She seemed so wise.
I don't think that Milly should have told Arthur about Ernest, it would only have made him feel bad, and may have complicated things if he knew. I think she just wanted to drop out of his life.
Milly was pretty keen on Expiation (atonement), so handing over her money to her sister would not only change her sisters life, but would make her (Milly) feel pretty good.
I think she will be happy with the Botts in the end, Mrs Bott will be kind to her, and the rest of the family will treat her better now that they know it wasn't one of the brothers she had the affair with. Look at how Mabel's attitude towards her changed once she found out that there was nothing between Milly and Fred.

Tania wrote: "I have finished this one now. I also loved it. Mrs Bott was a great character, wasn't she. She seemed so wise.
I don't think that Milly should have told Arthur about Ernest, it would only have mad..." Hi Tania, happy you enjoyed it too. Have you read any other books by Elizabeth Von Arnim ?

I have. The Enchanted April is a favourite. I've also read Elizabeth and Her German Garden, The Solitary Summer, both great, The Pastor's Wife and Princess Priscilla's Fortnight. I'm going to start Christopher and Columbus soon for another group.

I thoroughly enjoyed Christopher and Columbus. Quite an enjoyable read.

Good to know. I assume you're using the American meaning of quite here (as in very), in the UK, if I said I quite liked a book, I'd mean I thought it was just ok.

Yes, I write American. Wouldn’t even try to write British. I’d probably end up offending everyone if I tried. Good to know the difference in meaning though.

Ha ha, it is isn't it. I didn't even know there was a difference until an American couple came into a Restaurant is worked in and described his meal as "quite good", at which we asked what was wrong with it. His wife explained that there it meant very good. Now I know.

I didn’t know either until you wrote it. Can you imagine how difficult English must be for non-natives? Completely different meaning depending on what country you’re in.

Absolutely, understanding those nuances must be early impossible.