Madam, want to talk about author Mary Stewart? discussion

I just loved this one and the Lebanon setting with the spooky castle. Found these old covers that are lots of fun. Raise your hand if you remember having a dress like that waaaaay back when.

OOh, no! My mother would have KILLED me if I'd even tried on a dress like that! I do love this novel though, just recently re-read it for about the fourth time now, I think! Not my favorite, but its up there! (its hard to choose a favorite Mary Stewart novel, don't you think?)

I loved this book it was great fun.

I found the relationship between the cousins a little creepy. But there is great suspense when they are wandering around the house at night. I love those old covers (the Coronet ones) - I have a few of MS' books with those covers.

Lorraine wrote: "I found the relationship between the cousins a little creepy. But there is great suspense when they are wandering around the house at night. I love those old covers (the Coronet ones) - I have a ..."

It is interesting how times have changed, where in earlier days relationships between cousins was barely noted where as now its almost like a brother sister relationship bordering on *incest*.

Lorraine wrote: "I found the relationship between the cousins a little creepy. But there is great suspense when they are wandering around the house at night. I love those old covers (the Coronet ones) - I have a ..."

Yes, I've always thought so too, but you find that in a lot of british authors. I just figured that it must be a cultural thing--it's not considered as bad there as it is here, maybe? Most states have laws against anything closer than third cousins (hence the "kissing cousins" appellation), but I don't know if they do over there.

Annie wrote: "Lorraine wrote: "I found the relationship between the cousins a little creepy. But there is great suspense when they are wandering around the house at night. I love those old covers (the Coronet ..."

I think you're right Annie. The subject of cousins marrying came up on another GR thread and some of our Brit friends didn't find it as strange as some of the American posters.

EDIT: Just letting my mind wander over my assorted male cousins, I shudder at the thought of marrying any one of them - lol!

Hmm, must be a cultural thing, here in the UK cousins can marry each other, even first cousins. Delving into my husband's family tree there are several cases of first cousins marrying, and second etc. Makes drawing the tree interesting!

Haven't read the Gabriel Hounds in years - I have the book with the 2nd cover shown above. Must get around to reading more Stewart again.

Just spotted this cover at Amazon and had to share.

*nice*

Misfit wrote: "Just spotted this cover at Amazon and had to share."

Look like cousins to me...

He looks like something out of West Side Story. Gangsta.

Misfit wrote: "He looks like something out of West Side Story. Gangsta."

:D
haha!

Hannah wrote: "Misfit wrote: "Just spotted this cover at Amazon and had to share."

Look like cousins to me..."

Definite resemblance. Might be siblings....

The hero and heroine in The Gabriel Hounds are cousins (1st cousins in the original edition, 2nd cousins in the American edition - right, Misfit?)

Hannah wrote: "The hero and heroine in The Gabriel Hounds are cousins (1st cousins in the original edition, 2nd cousins in the American edition - right, Misfit?)"

I have been told that they are first cousins in the UK edition, but the edition I read they were second cousins according to my review.

ETA, I think they were both like double cousins as well. We'll have to make this the next buddy read to find out.

I am with Jeannette, they could be siblings! But nice cover find, Misfit. I think we must dub you the honorary cover queen. You seem to be able to ferret out all kinds of good ones.

They are fun to find. I just wish more used sellers would upload covers.

Interesting cover, have never seen it before, Misfit.

I have the British edition with the vintage cover, and they are first cousins in the British edition. Their dads were brothers.
I would love to make TGHs the next buddy read. It would be a re read for me, but what the heck, a MS re read is always great.

Sounds like a plan for November. :)

Jeannette wrote: "Hannah wrote: "Misfit wrote: "Just spotted this cover at Amazon and had to share."

Look like cousins to me..."

Definite resemblance. Might be siblings...."

The cover artist had read the book - or the first chapter at any rate - because Mary S describes them:

"As children, we were always supposed to be very much alike, Charles and I; in fact, when we were small, people had taken us for twins. ... As we grew up the resemblance had, of course, faded. There were still the basic similarities, the dark hair, high Slav cheekbones, slightly aquiline nose, grey eyes and spare build. Now he was some inches taller than I, and he had broadened..."

"Our fathers ... were identical twins..."

I buddy read would be a great idea - as long as we don't rehash the old "cousins shouldn't marry" arguments, and just take it as read that (some of) the USA and Britain differ on this one.

I think anything goes on a discussion thread, including the cousin aspect. We have new people joining in on the Stewart group reads all the time, and they may have never been involved in the "rehash" and might want to discuss this aspect of the book. If it comes up, it comes up. If it doesn't, it doesn't, but I don't think it should be stifled just because some people may be tired with it.

When a discussion thread takes a turn I'm not personally interested in, I just ignore it and move on or contribute something different to discuss.

Hannah wrote: "I think anything goes on a discussion thread, including the cousin aspect. We have new people joining in on the Stewart group reads all the time, and they may have never been involved in the "reha..."

As long as people are respectful, and friendly, then the discussions can be about any aspect of the book. As Hannah says, everyone is free to participate in any parts of the discussion, and skip the parts that don't interest them as much, if at all.

I'm sure that we'll all find other aspects of the book to discuss that will interest all of us.

Well said ladies. I would hate to, as Archie Bunker used to say, "stifle" anyone in a discussion thread. I would be one of the newbies for some of the different discussions.

Also as a newbie, I want to add that everyone here is so friendly, helpful and respectful that it's a pleasure to join in these MS buddy reads. Jeannette especially has been a huge help to me as I learn my way around GRs and she has graciously answered all my questions.

AND for the icing on the cake, Jeannette introduced me to RA, just for that I will be forever grateful! :)

Judith wrote: "AND for the icing on the cake, Jeannette introduced me to RA, just for that I will be forever grateful! :)"


Judith,
Your comment qualifies for a Richard Armitage Seal of Approval. Congratulations!

Hannah! you wonderful person, you! OMG he is gorgeous!! It's a sin for a man to look that good.

Judith wrote: "Hannah! you wonderful person, you! OMG he is gorgeous!! It's a sin for a man to look that good."

haha! Glad you enjoyed! Any day I can insert a photo of The Man god is a good day.

Thank you for the kind words, Judith. Any friend of RA.... :)

Hannah wrote: "Judith wrote: "AND for the icing on the cake, Jeannette introduced me to RA, just for that I will be forever grateful! :)"


Judith,
Your comment qualifies for a Richard Armitage Seal of Approval. ..."

That picture needs a "like" button. I've only been an RA fangirl for a short time. It all started with North and South, on Jeannette's recommendation. :)

I am such a bad influence, aren't I? lol

Jeannette wrote: "I am such a bad influence, aren't I? lol"

Bad girl. You need to be sent to RA for a spanking...

Jeannette wrote: "I am such a bad influence, aren't I? lol"

The best kind of bad. :D

Hannah wrote: "Jeannette wrote: "I am such a bad influence, aren't I? lol"

Bad girl. You need to be sent to RA for a spanking..."

hmmm...

Hannah wrote: "Jeannette wrote: "I am such a bad influence, aren't I? lol"

Bad girl. You need to be sent to RA for a spanking..."

lol, is that wishful thinking?

Diane Lynn wrote: "Jeannette wrote: "I am such a bad influence, aren't I? lol"

The best kind of bad. :D"

I love that mini-series.

Diane Lynn wrote: "Hannah wrote: "Jeannette wrote: "I am such a bad influence, aren't I? lol"

Bad girl. You need to be sent to RA for a spanking..."

lol, is that wishful thinking?"

I am at a loss for words at this very moment.

Diane Lynn wrote: "Hannah wrote: "Jeannette wrote: "I am such a bad influence, aren't I? lol"

Bad girl. You need to be sent to RA for a spanking..."

lol, is that wishful thinking?"

:D

Jeannette wrote: "Diane Lynn wrote: "Jeannette wrote: "I am such a bad influence, aren't I? lol"

The best kind of bad. :D"

I love that mini-series."

One of my favorites now, I'm not sure how I missed it originally. I usually devour those kinds of shows. I must have been on another planet!

One of my favorites now too.

Hannah wrote: "I think anything goes on a discussion thread, including the cousin aspect. We have new people joining in on the Stewart group reads all the time, and they may have never been involved in the "reha..."

Fair enough - I'm sorry if I sounded as though I wanted to stifle discussion.

very cool. I just bought this hard back today in a used book store downtown for 2 bucks. No jacket tho. Fun seeing the jackets posted here at the beginning. I have not read this book yet, but will happily start it in a few. My bedtime reading tonight. Didn't read all of this thread yet. Will check in later with my own thoughts as I get going. :-)

Misfit wrote: "Just spotted this cover at Amazon and had to share.

"

nice!

Misfit wrote: "I just loved this one and the Lebanon setting with the spooky castle. Found these old covers that are lots of fun. Raise your hand if you remember having a dress like that waaaaay back when.

"

love these covers!!!!!!!!!!

Hannah wrote: "Annie wrote: "Lorraine wrote: "I found the relationship between the cousins a little creepy. But there is great suspense when they are wandering around the house at night. I love those old covers..."

Ya know it's funny. My friend and I had a discussion recently about that "male cousin" you always get a crush on growing up. I know I certainly had one. He was older tho. And, when I was in my 20's (him in his 30's), he came to my city (we live about 4 hrs apart) and the crush was still there a tiny bit. He was good looking and I had always looked up to him when I was a preteen. He was recently divorced and looking for a place to relocate and work, and I was not married yet. It was a long time ago. But I am not really freaked out by the cuz thing in this book. Maybe in another country....ya know, the when in Rome thing. :-)

My obnoxious cousin Scott was a totally different animial from yours Debbie! I think that's why the aspect of what I like to call "cousin' lovin'" always icks me out in books. There's no scenario in which I could ever see myself attracted to a cousin - haha!

DO NOT post that picture!!! D:

I can't find it (or I WOULD!!)

Hannah wrote: "I can't find it (or I WOULD!!)"

har har Too Bad!

Wait, what? What picture? Not of cousin Scott, I hope.