Elizabeth > Recent Status Updates

It’s nice to read how corrupt politicians and elections were were 100 years ago. Soothing, in a way. Reassuring, you might say. Or maybe not.

What was in Sissy’s box that the kids dangled out the window on a string, thereby disgracing the family so that they had to move? I am either hopelessly inattentive or hopelessly naive. Even at my age, lol. But I really an enjoying this book. I don’t believe I’ve read it since 7th grade.

Learning so much!

This book can serve as a technical botanical reference to the temperate European species mentioned in Tolkien’s books (although “mentioned” is too feeble a term for the love JRRTconveys for the flowers, shrubs, and trees of Middle-earth). The descriptions and discussions of each group are interesting in themselves, and the woodcuts are lovely.

A good read, but it prompts me to ask why authors, even good ones, insert these two clichés into bloody everything? “He smiled, showing his large, perfect, and even white teeth.” “A long-suffering sigh as he ran his hand over his smooth head.” I have never seen anyone, especially a guy, run their fingers over their head or through their hair when stressed or thoughtful. I just haven’t. Change my mind.

“The knuckles of Freudian readers will begin to whiten at this point.” LOLOL!!

Pages 120-125: the best discussion and interpretation of Tom Bombadil I’ve seen yet.

👍

“I have seen every inch of the River, and my coats between them contain it all.”

Spellbinding, like the titular coats. The River in flood is amazing.

(Spoiler) And now the heroine and her family have arrived at the Sea, where they are greeted by the King. I was so hoping this King would be a father figure for them, but no. He’s no older than they are.

Chapter II was dense. So much content in such a small book! On to Chapter III.

This is vintage Diana Wynne Jones.

Re-reading this dense but insightful little book. I hope to acquire the author’s *Messianic Jewish Manifesto* when things improve financially, if they ever do.