Stephen White - Alan Gregory discussion

Our first group read will be Still Life by Louise Penny. This is book one in the Armand Gamache Series. Please get your copy and join in the discussion anytime January - March 2010. We will begin nominating our Spring 2010 Group Read on March 1st :-) Thanks

I got my copy from the library today :-) anybody else got theirs yet?

I downloaded mine on my Kindle. Can't wait to start it!

I ordered it from Amazon - should get it in next week.

Dustin wrote: "I got my copy from the library today :-) anybody else got theirs yet?"

Hey, Everyone

Haven't participated for awhile - busy like everyone else with the holiday season. Have a hold for my copy of Still Life - should receive next week. Looking forward to a new author. Agree w/ your comment on Cornwell. Don't think that kind of talent can "disappear" but believe she needs a new outlet. Books have been lacking, in my opinion, **SPOLIER ALERT** since we were lead to believe Benton was killed in the helicopter crash (can't remember which book that was!).

Benna wrote: "**SPOLIER ALERT** since we were lead to believe Benton was killed in the helicopter crash (can't remember which book that was!).
"

*SCARPETTA - BENTON SPOILER ALERT *
I think it was a fire that killed him :-) I heard a rumor (and this is purely hearsay) that Cornwell was ready to end the series but publishers wanted her to continue because Scarpetta was such a big seller. Blow Fly is when the books really changed the voice changed from First Person as told by Scarpetta to Third Person (I hope I got that right) and even though I like Benton, it was just ridiculous to bring him back. It seems he was "resurrected" simply because readers were writing to Cornwell and saying how much they missed him. In The Scarpetta Factor, Cornwell tried to fill in blanks and tie Benton's "disappearance" in more. She connected Benton to that werewolf man's family.

How did the group decide on Louise Penny? Is this a recent book? Does she write mystery books? What were the other books under consideration?

Dustin wrote: "Benna wrote: "**SPOLIER ALERT** since we were lead to believe Benton was killed in the helicopter crash (can't remember which book that was!).
"

*SCARPETTA - BENTON SPOILER ALERT *
I think it was ..."

You may be right, but I do distinctly remember the beach scene - it was Hilton Head Island - where Scarpetta watched a helicopter, on which she believed Benton was flying - explode over the Atlantic. That's why I'm left with the impression that we were mislead at that point - It was after that point that it seemed to me the Scarpetta began to loose direction as a character - I hoped that was intentional on Cornwell's part; however, I'm doubtful now for two reasons: 1. Like you I've not seen believable reason for Benton's return 2. Scarpetta seems to have stopped growing as a character since that point.

Benna wrote: "You may be right, but I do distinctly remember the beach scene - it was Hilton Head Island - where Scarpetta watched a helicopter, on which she believed Benton was flying - explode over the Atlantic. That's why I'm left with the impression that we were mislead at that point
"

*SCARPETTA - BENTON SPOILER ALERT *
..."

I listened to that book(Point of Origin) on audio so my memory of details may be off. That is the book with helicopters :-) The bookcover picture of Cornwell even features her with a helicopter in the background. I just remember Kay going into a fire and identifying the remains or something. Still I thought Black Notice and The Last Precinct which followed were both good. For me the obvious changes came with Blow Fly. The Character of Kay Scarpetta seemed to get mean too.

Janice wrote: "How did the group decide on Louise Penny? Is this a recent book? Does she write mystery books? What were the other books under consideration?"

We decided to start a group read kinda at the last minute of 2009 nominated for a week and then voted for a week. The other titles that were nominated can be seen either in the discussion thread for Nominations or in the poll (from the group home page click on "polls" near the top left). I don't know much about the book but it's what won. We'll start nominating again on March 1st.

Still Life is the first in the series. We decided that if a book in a series was nominated - we had to start with book one. The Group read is open to other authors besides just Stephen White :-)

Happy New Year Everyone! I will load Still Life on my kindle when I finish Boneshaker by Cherie Priest. It is really good if you like steampunk. I promised myself when I got my kindle I would load one book at a time and finish it before I loaded another. My TBR piles are obscene. Its my new year's resolution to read more of what I have and buy and borrow less. We'll see how that works out ;)

Christine, I've had a Kindle since last summer. I should have made that resolution! It's so easy to click and download!

Remember your public library! Many of them have e-books now, too:) I try to use mine as much as possible, only buy if it's a very special title or I just have to have something to read and can't make it to the library.
Saves money, space and that "now what I'm I going to do w/ all these books" issue. . .

I love the public library! I visit it once a week. I think it's such a gift.

One of my favorite places, too. I'm an elementary media specialist, so you could consider my opinion very biased. I always, tho, try to encourage people to use and support their public library. Glad you do!

Our public libraries here are wonderful, I consider them my "home away from home". I do the same thing, Benna, only purchase a few titles, mostly borrow from the library. I have a new MP-3 player, and am trying to hold myself to only down-loading one book at a time. I love it!!!

I love our library here too! One of the good things that has come out of the down turn in our economy is our library is so busy now. You see whole families going to the library these days. Libraries have so much to offer!

I have read thru Chapter 4 and I have to say that I was a bit disoriented by the number of characters at the beginning of the book. Now it is all coming together. I really like Chief Inspector Armand Gamache. I like how he is surprised by finding a dead body at the crime scene, he "hoped that someone had gotten it wrong". It adds a bit of uniqueness to this genre of novel. Gamache is a bit of mystery and I look forward to reading more about him. Food plays a big part of story and it adds to the story.

I did find something interesting when I looked at Louise Penny's website, she has a pronunciation guide to listen to for the french words in each of novels. Its pretty cool.

I hadn't thought about the part food plays, Christine, but you're so right. I will check out her site. I really don't think this series is your basic cozy.

Finally got my copy through ILL. Starting it tonight so I will not read your reviews just yet.

I hadn't thought about how food figures into the story either; I love this, love getting other people's perspective, helps broaden what I am seeing!! I have enjoyed all the comments above, and thanks for your input Christine, and also for the info on the author's web site.

I am a foodie! I love food and when an author takes a little time to add the details about the food in a novel, it always gets my attention. Stephen White does it a bit in the Alan Gregory books too. Reading about food doesn't cost me any calories but it does make me hungry.

This made me laugh:

page 99 Clara and Myrna are in a buffet line chatting:

....." 'It's hunting season, but I agree the old wooden arrow gave me the shivers. Very weird. Turkey?'
'Please, Brie?' asked Clara.
'Just a sliver. Perhaps a bigger sliver than that.'
'When does a sliver become a hunk?'
'If you're a hunk, size doesn't matter', Myrna explained.
'I'll remember that next time I go to bed with a hunk of Stilton.'
'You'd cheat no Peter?'
'With food? I cheat on him everyday. I have a very special relationship with a gummy bear who shall remain nameless. Well, actually his name name is Ramon. He completes me.'"

hahaha.....clever, funny and intriguing. I like this book so much I have already bought the next one without finishing the first.

Somebody finally returned the library copy of Still Life on CD. I've had it on hold forever and a day and the person who checked it out decided to keep it a whole week past past the due date! Anyway, when I get Still Life on CD I plan to fly through this book with y'all - the Audio CD is waiting for me at the library :-)

I have started the print copy but I haven't got too far :-) and I mean really haven't gotten too far - I'm on page 7. I like what I've read so far (which may not be saying much :-). It's taken me a while to get used to Penny's writing style. Although I think her descriptive writing is beautiful,I found myself re-reading everything. Anyway, hope to be back soon. I'm glad I'm not the only one reading Still Life right now - I'll try to catch up to you!

Its soooo frustrating when you are waiting for a book and someone does not turn it in on time. I have to admit that I am guilty of keeping a book a couple extra days especially if I am almost done and I know that there is a long list waiting for it. Some day the library police will catch up with me. Hahahahaha

How are you doing on Still Life?

Oh, I will keep library items past my due date for the same reason if I think I can finish it within a couple of days, but not over a week! :-)

I just picked up Still Life on CD from the library yesterday. It was at the library in Boulder and since we've all been sick around this house, the kids didn't go to school and I didn't go to Boulder. Anyway, I started another audiobook (Tess Gerritsen) while I was waiting for Still Life. I'm half way through that one & Still Life is next for reals! I have started Still Life without the assistance of audio and I'm about 30 or so pages into it :-) I'll be posting next week!

Christine, now that you've read the book - anything you'd like to share? We actually have two discussion threads for Still Life, so feel free to comment in which ever one works for you :-)

I wasn't sure which discussion thread to add my comments so I decided to post on both.

Some things that I keep thinking about while reading the novel and didn't really get resolved now that I have finished Still Life:

1) Can the author build a series around such a small village as Three Pines? Will Gamache move there?

2) What's up with Yvette Nichol? Could she have something sinister in mind for Gamache? A revenge thing, perhaps, she kept thinking about her father. It feels more than a child wanting her parent to be proud of her.

3) Why is Peter an "isolated island"?

There were A LOT of references to the past whether it was something in a character's life or previous cases. All these gaps are intriguing and have left me wanting more. Louise Penny is impressive in the way she engages her reader in what she writes. I like it.

the answers to some of these questions are in subsequent books. I am now in the third book and there at least 5.

That's good to know.

Jan, this is off topic but who is the little dog in the photo? I LOVE dogs. I have a 15 year old Shiba Inu named Taz

That is the late Sparkles, a Brussels Griffen. She died about a year ago - she was elderly, she'd had medical problems and then she developed heart trouble. She was a rescue dog from my brother's girlfriend's family. Her sister rescued and trained it and gave it to her mother after the death of their father. After the mother died, Cathy took it. They now have another Brussels Griffen, Kiki - not at all well trained, but cute as the dickens. Maybe she needs to leave it at her sister's for a while. Instead, she leaves it with her other sister who has something like 5-6 dogs, pugs and chihuahuas running around. A real madhouse. But at least she got rid of her parrt and cockatiel. So she's cutting down on her animals.

Sparkles looked as though she was "cute as the dickens" too. The breed looks similar to a miniature schnauzer which I had several as I grew up.

She was a real sweet little lady. I believe she had just been groomed in that picture. Unfortunately there was a cold spell and the poor little thing was shivering.

Hey everyone - I finally finished reading Still Life this week! Yippee! What an accomplishment! Honestly, this is not the type of mystery novel I would typically read - it's not especially suspenseful or a thriller. Someone mentioned that you can't read Still Life passively and agree. I found myself having to re-read several parts because I missed something. Readers have to pay attention to the little details of it's easy to get confused.

Here's a small example - if you don't have any background, this would make no sense (but I really like this quote:-):
"Lucy knew her God was dead. And she knew the miracle wasn't the banana, it was the hand that offered the banana." - Chapter 4

Lots of themes about gay/lesbian, being "blind" to what's happening in a little community, man as an island and of course art.

Still Life was interesting and beautifully written but I highly doubt that I'll be reading the other books in the series unless they are chosen as group reads :-) I enjoyed the subtle humor found throughout Still Life, here are a few examples (the first one listed is my personal favorite):

"Every year the hunters shot cows and horses and family pets and each other. And unbelievably, they sometimes shot themselves, perhaps in a psychotic episode where they mistook themselves for dinner."
-Chapter 1

"Gamanche wondered how low the bar was set when all a man had to do to attract a woman was not smell of decomposing bears." - Chapter 3

'As I recall, you were even invited to the Summer Solstice ritual.'
'Only as a human sacrifice,' said Ben
'Come on, Ben that's not fair,' said Myrna. 'We said that probably wouldn't be necessary.'
-Chapter 5

'It's one of Philipe's chores, cleaning the basement. We did it together for a few years, but on his fourteenth birthday I told him it was now all his.' Then Croft had added, perhaps realising how it sounded, 'It wasn't his only birthday present.'
-Chapter 6

"...everyone else knows I'm a kind man. And I really am. This doesn't count." - Chapter 13

I'm giving Still Life 4 stars :-)

Christine wrote: "3) Why is Peter an "isolated island"? "

Here are a couple of passages toward the end that might shed light on Peter as an Island:

"Clara watched as Peter got up and stirred the perfectly fine fire. She'd held him that night as he sprawled on the dirt floor. That had been the last time she'd gotten that close. Since the events of that horrible night he'd retreated completely on to his island. The bridge had been destroyed. The walls had been constructed. And now Peter was unapproachable, even by her. Physically, yes, she could hold his hand, hold his head, hold his body, and she did. But she knew she could no longer hold his heart.
She watched his handsome face, lined with care now, and bruised by the fall, She knew he'd been hurt the worst, perhaps beyond repair."

and

"She watched him wander almost aimlessly into his studio and shut the door. One day she knew he'd leave his safe and sterile island and come back to this messy mainland. When he did she'd be waiting, her arms open, as always."

*SPOILER ALERT*
Peter and Ben were best friends and this whole "Still Life" thing has really upset him. To think you know someone so well and yet be "blind".

In addition, more comes out about Peter in the later books. Especially, I think, in the third book, The Cruellest Month, which I am reading.

I just created a little quiz for Still Life. For those of you who are my GR Friends, I sent you an invitation :-) but just wanted to invite anyone else who has read Still Life, to take the quiz. To find the quiz, click on "explore" at the top of the GR page, there's a drop down link to "quizzes" and then you can search by title or author and it should come up. I'm gonna try to create quizzes for each group read we do (well, as time permits :-)