2025 Reading Challenge discussion

This thread is to discuss Fayne by Ann-Marie MacDonald.

Pages: 736 pages

Length: 1 month (July)

Participants: Lorraine, LinaVer

Everyone reads at their own pace during a Buddy Read. Because participants can be at different parts of the book at different times, it is extremely important to mark spoilers so that the book is not ruined for someone who is not as far along as others!!!

Mark spoilers by placing {spoiler} before the text and {/spoiler} after the text but use the < and > instead of the { and }.

Here are some questions to help get the conversation started! Feel free to look up discussion questions specific to this book or come up with your own. Just make sure any questions that contain spoilers are under spoiler tags.
Discussion questions are not required but may be a fun way to talk about the book and get to know each other!

Prior to starting:
What prompted you to join this buddy read?
Have you read this author before? What do you think of their other books?

Mid-read:
What character or ideas do you relate to the most and why?
Do you have any favorite quotes or scenes?

After reading:
What was enjoyable or not-so-enjoyable about this book?
Did this book change your perception about anything, either within the book (character development) or in real life?

Hello LinaVer,
Just a quick note to let you know that I’m currently not receiving notifications—I’m working on resolving the issue. I had hoped to start the book this week, but I have a few library books I need to finish before their due dates. I should be able to begin around mid-month and will get back to you next week.

Hello LinaVer. I have resolved my notifications problems. But because of the Readathon, I will not be able to start this book before July 28th. Do want me to ask sarahKat to expend this read to August?

Hello Lorraine, sorry I didn’t see your posts here earlier. I too have not yet started the book and will also probably start it after the readathon. So yes, please, let's extend it to August.

This has been moved to the August folder

SarahKat wrote: "This has been moved to the August folder"

Thank you SarahKat!

Hello Lina. I will be starting this book on August 1st.

August 1st is my birthday and we're having friends over, so I will probably start on 2nd or 3rd if that's alright 🙂

Happy Birthday Lina!🥳🎉🥂 Enjoy spending time with your friends. And start when ready 😁

Thank you, Lorraine 🌞 I had a great time.
I’ve started reading Fayne finally. It’s a long book so I probably will need some time, but as soon as I have some thoughts or anything, I’ll share here, so we can discuss 😊

My thoughts so far:

• I’m only on page 28 and it’s reading slowly, but it is very well written and I am enjoying it nonetheless. There are however a lot of unknown (to me) words that I have to look up, and sometimes it takes me out of the reading flow and then it’s hard to get back. I’m grateful I’m reading an e-book because at least I can just click and search those words, instead of having to type them 😆
• I’m also looking up into some Scotish traditional things that are being mentioned, like crowdie, and that’s really fun. I might try making crowdie, as it seems very easy. It also reminds me of Lithuanian rūgpienis (naturally made sour milk) and the simple white cheese we make with it. Interesting how many cultures and countries have similar variations of some sort of cottage cheese or quark.
• The book is also very visual and descriptive, and I like imagining or just looking up pictures of things it mentions to have a visual image of what I read in my mind. I’ve looked up the Scottish baronial architecture, Scotch Collops etc. But also just simple things are very visual and clever, like this quote: (view spoiler)[“He was crouched on the stool with his head against her flank. Bald as a stone he was. A pair of bumps on his crown bespoke, according to Knox, his having either fallen on his head or been beaten, either way winding up “addled in his wits.” Byrn himself put the bumps down to his “braw brains.” Or words to that effect.” (hide spoiler)] That crouched position while milking a cow, leaning ones head on the cow, I have so many warm memories about it, as I grew up visiting relatives who had cows.
• quote on page 39: (view spoiler)[“Byrn has never been in a train, nor have I, certain heathen peoples believe the soul can travel only as swiftly as a person can walk” (hide spoiler)] - I find it so interesting that when first trains were invented, people were afraid and superstitious about them, and this quote speaks exactly about that. I’ve once seen a very interesting video about it, if I can find it back, I’ll add the link here. https://youtu.be/gcmrqIdJw3o?si=fqIul...

I’m reading the book in French, so there aren’t too many words I need to look up, although I have to admit that all the scientific terminology feels like another language to me. You’re courageous to take the time to look up the meaning of new words—I’m not that kind of reader. I’ll sometimes look up a painting or sculpture mentioned in a book, or check something about a historical event, especially if it’s already of interest to me. But aside from that, I usually just go with the flow.

I’m at page 100 now, and I have to say I’m really enjoying the story so far. (view spoiler)[ It’s interesting—and a bit unsettling—how the reality women faced in those days resembles that of some women even today. It seems that real change takes a very long time. (hide spoiler)]

Lorraine wrote: "I’m reading the book in French, so there aren’t too many words I need to look up, although I have to admit that all the scientific terminology feels like another language to me. You’re courageous t..."

I most often also just go with the flow! But there are just so many unknown words in this book that sometimes I have to look them up in order to understand the sentence, haha. 😅

I’m still only on page 62, as I had to work a couple days and had no time to read. But this is what I noticed as I progress.

• I am enjoying (and it became a bit of an easier read) the back-and-forth relationship between her and the tutor.
• Also, it’s so interesting that it’s so easy to forget that the main character is (view spoiler)[still a 12 yo girl when she’s thinking all these big philosophical and scientific thoughts. And yet, there’s also some naivete in her that shows to her age. The author has really written her character so well, in letting us see into genius mind but reminding sometimes that’s she’s also just a girl. (hide spoiler)] That’s some good character building.
• I love how the author is showing how the main character is changing via her relation to (view spoiler)[her mother’s portrait in the corridor. At first she wasn’t even able to look at it because she felt as if her mother is following her with her eyes, and now (the part of book I’m at) she’s thinking it’s just a combination of chemicals (she’s more learned now) and therefore it does not scare her anymore, instead she scares it. (hide spoiler)] Really cleverly written, I’m so enjoying this book!

Lorraine, what did you think of the bathtub scene after (view spoiler)[Charlotte almost drowned in the bog with her tutor? When she’s saying that 98% of her body is relaxed, except for that little piece of flesh, and proceeds to describe it like… well, male anatomy. (hide spoiler)] I wonder if I am just understanding wrong or if it’s going to be a question of (view spoiler)[gender identity/possibly her father keeping her in the dark about it? (hide spoiler)] Even if there’s none of that, I guess this scene and the one before of her in bed (view spoiler)[after the second nightmare (hide spoiler)] is telling about her teenage years/coming of age.

Oh, and I read you comment where you marked spoiler, and I agree completely! So sad that this is still true for a lot of women.

Lina, I agree with you that those scenes are pointing us toward (view spoiler)[ either a question of gender identity or perhaps something unique in her anatomy. Reading your comments reminded me of a book I read in my twenties: The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall, published in 1928. There are some striking similarities between Fayne’s story—even though I’m only at page 180—and that one. We’ll see how it unfolds. I might reread The Well of Loneliness afterwards, just to revisit how gender identity was portrayed back in the 1920s. (hide spoiler)]

If you can wait until september or october, I could read The Well of Loneliness together as a buddy read. if you'd like 😊

That would be nice! But can this wait for November or December? I will be travelling to Italy from September 14th to October 14th and already have to many BR that I don't know how I'll manage while travelling! 🤣

Yes of course it can wait! December is fine with me 🙂

I’m at the part of the book (in my ebook it’s page 130) where (view spoiler)[ she starts her monthly bleeding and father makes her wear fancy “proper lady” dresses in which she cannot eat, breathe, or even lift her arms properly (hide spoiler)], and it’s infuriating me so much!!! I can’t believe it. That her (view spoiler)[coming of age changes her father so much as if he’s suddenly a different person, and everyone treating her differently and making her feel lonely in her own home… that’s just sad. I wonder if that’s what’s also driven her mom to go into the moor (and drown?), I guess we’ll see. At least it’s my speculation that the face/body Charlotte saw in the bog, and the cape they found was that of her mothers. (hide spoiler)]

Interesting idea (view spoiler)[ about her finding her mother’s coat. I wonder if her mother or brother might still be alive—maybe living with the aunt? At this point, it feels like all possibilities are open.

As for the change in her father, I’m curious whether it’s linked to her starting her monthly bleeding, or if he’s hoping she’ll find comfort in being a “proper girl” and lose interest in going to university. I had the impression that his behavior started shifting around that time too. But you might be right. We'll see (hide spoiler)]

I’ll let SarahKat know by the end of the month about our December buddy read.

Lorraine wrote: "I’ll let SarahKat know by the end of the month about our December buddy read."
Thank you!

Oh, you might actually be right about her father’s behavior (view spoiler)[changing when the idea of university was introduced. Maybe that’s why the tutor disappeared also? (hide spoiler)] I guess it’s my anxious mind that always first goes for a more sinister idea/explanation, haha.

I’ve just finished Part 1 and will start Part 2 tomorrow. I’m really enjoying the book so far—there are still so many secrets to uncover. Charlotte’s condition remains a mystery, and I can’t help but wonder what hidden truths her father is keeping from her...

Hi Lorraine, I've had some busy days at work this week, but I've been reading just a few pages every day. I'm in part 2 also. I am also enjoying the book like you, but at the same time I'm always slightly uncomfortable reading it just because of how many things (view spoiler)[the father is hiding. I feel kind of mad about everything he's doing. (hide spoiler)] I mean, I guess it's an advantage to the book that it's affecting me like this, haha.

Hi Lina,
We have visitors from the United States, so I haven’t been reading as much as usual. They’re leaving on the 19th, and after that I should be able to catch up. I love when a book makes me react to certain characters, as if they’ve become part of my daily life. So I’d agree with you—your reactions to the father are a real testament to the writer’s skill 😁.

Just finished Chapter 36. In Part 2, we’re learning more about Henry and his sister, Clarissa. (view spoiler)[ I completely understand why you’re upset with him—he’s so old-fashioned that it’s hard not to wish he’d face a few obstacles. And as you said, he’s full of secrets; you’ll uncover some of them around Chapter 35 or so. I have to admit, while I understand why the author wants us to learn about Henry’s past and his relationship with Charlotte’s mother, I find this section less original. I’m hoping we return to Charlotte’s life soon. (hide spoiler)]

I just wrapped up Part 4 and I’m diving into Part 5 today. My mission is to finish the whole thing before I head off on vacation. Don’t worry though—I’ll still be around to read and comment on your posts if you finish in September.

But wow… (view spoiler)[if Part 2 made you upset, Part 4 might make you want to commit murder! Honestly, I felt the same way—if I ever came face to face with that father, I think I’d want to strangle him. Good thing we’re not stuck in Victorian times anymore!

And honestly, it feels like nobody is who they seem. It’s one twist after another (even if we’ve managed to guess a few), and I’m pretty sure the author still has a couple of big shocks waiting for me in those last 200+ pages. (hide spoiler)]

This has been moved to the September folder

I’ve finished Fayne, and I found the story almost perfect. (view spoiler)[ It has mystery, a mix of likable and less likable characters, and a young girl who is funny and bright—not to mention a really engaging plot. Unfortunately, I felt the ending was weak. Not that it was bad, but after everything the characters went through, it seemed the conclusion didn’t receive the same level of attention from the author, as if she just wanted to give us a happy ending. I have nothing against happy endings—quite the opposite—but I think this one needed more substance, more “meat on the bone.”

Also, the sudden addition of environmental themes at the end didn’t work for me. If that aspect was important to the author, I think it should have been woven into the story much earlier and with greater emphasis. (hide spoiler)]

Hi Lorraine, nice to see you enjoyed the book! I'm not really that much further in yet, just reading a few pages per day before sleep right now, as all the other reading time (not much this month) I have to dedicate to some other books (arcs and buddy-reads I've forgotten that I signed up for). So really sorry for lagging behind haha 😅 Also, I hope you enjoy your vacation!

Hey Lorraine, not sure if you still look at the messages here, but I just wanted to update you. I'm still reading the book! The more I read, the more bones to pick I have with the father. The part about the "backstory" of him and his wife I'm finding a bit less interesting, but still at least everything's written so well.

Hello Lina. Yes I still read your post. I so understand that you do not like the father. When I think of him, I still get upset! haha

Hi Lorraine, I hope all is well with you.
I finally finished Fayne, although I have to admit that in the end I cheated a bit and used audiobook on double the speed and also skipped some parts to be able to finish. 😅🙈 Not because of the length but because of Henry!!! 🤬 For this reason, I’ve added the book to my DNFs for now and will probably re-read some parts I’ve skipped once I cool down about the father a bit, haha.

You were right, I ended up hating him even more, especially because of the way he (view spoiler)[always talked to Marie in such a demeaning way, and how his own reputation was more important to him then her well being (like when he fired the kind doctor and didn’t help her with post-partum depression), and especially for how he ruined her life by comitting her to the hospital. And so much more, I guess. I haven’t hated a character this much in a long while, maybe ever. 😂🫩 (hide spoiler)]

When I started the book, I had an inkling that (view spoiler)[Charlotte and her brother Charlie might be one and the same because of all those visions she had seeing him in the window reflection, for example. (hide spoiler)] So it was interesting to read through those plot revelations in the end.

I am happy I read this book with you because I went into it with zero ideas what it’s going to be about (I even thought it will have something to do with faes/fairies for some reason). And I’ve learned so much about Victorian (I hope I’m getting the time period right) Scottish customs, but also about (view spoiler)[intersex and connected identity difficulties (hide spoiler)]. And it’s a good book, beautifully written and powerful.