All Souls Trilogy Re-read discussion

Many of us are enjoying A Discovery of Witches for the second (or third or fourth) time, but first-time readers should be aware that discussions may contain spoilers. So proceed with caution!

I'm putting this here because it could be somewhat spoiler-ish (but only if you haven't read the first book). Deborah Harkness did a Reddit AMA, and someone asked who gave Rebecca and Steven the first page of Ashmole 782. She replied saying "there are lots of clues in the first two books. It was the descendant of someone you met in book #2." (such a professor answer) Then she says we have not met the descendent. The only thing I can think is a descendent of Gallowglass, because he was around during Diana's childhood, protecting her, and knew what needed to happen. Or a descendant of Philippe, come to that. Maybe Stasia? But what would the clues have been? Anyone have any ideas?

AMA is here:
http://www.reddit.com/r/books/comment...

Spoiler: DH also alludes to Philippe being (literally) Hercules, which makes absolute sense when you look at statues of Hercules and realize she describes Philippe as a lion of a man! (In the AMA someone asked how Philippe came to possess the arrow of the goddess, and how old he is, and she said it wasn't her story to tell but to look to the third labour of Hercules for a hint.)

Caitlin wrote: "Spoiler: DH also alludes to Philippe being (literally) Hercules, which makes absolute sense when you look at statues of Hercules and realize she describes Philippe as a lion of a man! (In the AMA s..."

Thanks for sharing Deb's interview, Caitlin! I haven't yet started my re-read of SoN--and it's been a while since my first read--so I'm going to go out on a limb and say I thought it was Diana that gave Steven the first page. Of course, we already met her, so that's impossible, yes? Anyone else want to chime in with the answer--or some of the clues?

In any case, we'll all be paying attention to this point during our coming re-read. Layers upon layers--there's always more to be discovered!

I just got the audio book of SoN so I am going to start reading from the beginning and follow along with the narration. I can focus better on it that way.

Jeffrey wrote: "I just got the audio book of SoN so I am going to start reading from the beginning and follow along with the narration. I can focus better on it that way."

Julie wrote: "Caitlin wrote: "Spoiler: DH also alludes to Philippe being (literally) Hercules, which makes absolute sense when you look at statues of Hercules and realize she describes Philippe as a lion of a ma..."


quick link to the third task. http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/Herakles...

Judith wrote: "Just finished reading A Discovery of Witches for the first time and I have loved it. Nearly broke into tears towards the end - long time since a book has done that! The characters are engaging and ..."

Thank you for sharing, Judith! I promise that you still have a lot to look forward to!

The "Philippe is Heracles" reveal is during the scene at the old temple in SON. He uses the name Alcides Leontothymos which was Heracles birth name. It's one of the many easter eggs Deb scattered throughout the trilogy.

Heracles or Hercules?

Julie wrote: "Caitlin wrote: "Spoiler: DH also alludes to Philippe being (literally) Hercules, which makes absolute sense when you look at statues of Hercules and realize she describes Philippe as a lion of a ma..."

Philippe references an incident in his life as Heracles/Hercules/Herakles when he says to Matthew: "Those whom the gods wish to destroy, the first make mad."