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Post by giggin on Jul 16, 2006 13:57:52 GMT -5
I'm falling way behind in my reading, and I don't want you guys to have to wait on me, so here is the next set of topics. You deserve a karma point for posting all of these questions..so I gave you one ! Thanks for taking the time to post them Des! Chapter 22 "Reckonings"11. Was it right for Jamie to beat Claire?I never think it is right for anyone to lay their hands on someone in a harmful manner, so no I do not think it right that he beat Claire. I understand why he did it and I think if he hadn't, the other men wouldn't have forgiven him for letting her off! That probably would have been less pleasant to endure than the actual beating, or as Olwen calls it, the "spanking" ! 12. At this point, what did you think was the significance of Alex MacGregor's Bible being in Jamie's possession?I can't believe I have read far enough to know the real significance actually, but at the time, I just thought it was something to help him cope, or take his mind off of what was to come. Chapter 23 "Return to Leoch"13. Claire begins to feel indecision about leaving Jamie for the stone circle. With what we know at this point, what would you have done if you were Claire?I would have stayed with Jamie. He showed how much he loved her by letting her decide! 14. Which love is stronger: Claire's love for Jamie, Claire's love for Frank, Or Jamie's love for Claire?Jamie's love for Claire. I love Olwen's answer. It is hard to follow that! I think Jamie gives everything he has to Claire. "Seems I canna possess your soul without losing my own." - Jamie to Claire after giving her his ring.Claire found her soul mate through the stone circle *sigh* !
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Post by desraelda on Jul 19, 2006 18:33:04 GMT -5
Thanks for the Karma It's really getting interesting now, isn't it? Here are the next topics."A Whiff Of Brimstone" Chapters 24 & 25 1. What are your impressions of the scene with Donas and Hamish? 2. How did you feel about Jamie's "facts-of-life" talk with Hamish? 3. Upon the first reading, who did you think the "ill-wish" that Claire found came from? 4. Why is Jamie so attractive to gay men? (Such as Sandringham) 5. How did you feel about the incident with the changeling? 6. What did you think of Geillis and Claire's conversation about witchcraft (note: Geillis has the Grimoire of the Comte St. Germain)? 7. What did you think really happened when Geillis hypnotized Claire? 8. How did you feel about Claire and Geillis being put into the theives' hole at Cranesmuir (after Claire was tricked)? 9. What are your impressions of Claire and Geillis' witch trial? (Is anyone familiar with The Crucible by Arthur Miller? If so, did this remind you of it?) 10. How did you feel about Father Bain and Ned Gowan at the trial? 11. What did you think about Jamie's rescue of Claire and her subsequent revelation regarding her origins? Jamie's reactions? 12. When Claire is taken back to the stones, what is your reaction? Was Jamie being noble or testing her love for him? 13. If they had parted at the stones, would their goodbye have been enough for them? 14. How did you feel when Jamie announced that he was taking Claire home to Lallybroch
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Post by olwen on Jul 19, 2006 20:36:12 GMT -5
Whew, that's a lot. Thanks Des Karma from me, too. I started Dragonfly in Amber, and I've got Voyager warming up in the wings. 1. What are your impressions of the scene with Donas and Hamish?I liked Hamish - he reminded me of "little boy bravado", but I was afraid the bout with Donas would have an unhappy ending i.e Bonnie Blue Eyes in Gone With The Wind. I was relieved Jamie talked sense into the boy. 2. How did you feel about Jamie's "facts-of-life" talk with Hamish?It was so Jamie, earnest, to-the-point and endearing all at the same time. I could see that Jamie would be a fine father. 3. Upon the first reading, who did you think the "ill-wish" that Claire found came from?It had to come from Laoghaire (forgive the spelling). She seemed like a spiteful little handful. 4. Why is Jamie so attractive to nice person men? (Such as Sandringham)Jamie is a "man's man", unpretentious, down-to-earth, physically atttractive, and utterly charming. If women can find him attractive, then it wouldn't be a stretch for g@y men to find him attractive as well. 5. How did you feel about the incident with the changeling?It was very sad to think about all the poor sick little babies left to die because nothing could be done to save them. I always wondered where the changeling legend came from and this was a very plausible answer. I completely understand why Claire did what she did, but in a way it seems she still doesn't grasp the reality of eighteenth century life including superstitions, and that could be very dangerous for her and Jamie as well. 6. What did you think of Geillis and Claire's conversation about witchcraft (note: Geillis has the Grimoire of the Comte St. Germain)?Claire is far more innocent than Geillis. Geillis is a little frightening since the incident where her husband died. She seems to have studied the "dark arts" very thoroughly in addition to her study of herb lore. But I don't see her as a witch, more of a very smart woman who is using all the resources at her command for better or ill to advance herself. 7. What did you think really happened when Geillis hypnotized Claire?It's amazing how proficient Geillis is. I think she senses something out of the ordinary about Claire and used her opiates and hynotic abilities to try to get to the truth. But I don't trust what Geillis would do with that knowledge if she got it. She is certainly not trying to find out for Claire's benefit. 8. How did you feel about Claire and Geillis being put into the theives' hole at Cranesmuir (after Claire was tricked)?Frightening and claustrophobic. It seems that the deadliness of her situation has finally made her take this place she is in seriously. 9. What are your impressions of Claire and Geillis' witch trial? (Is anyone familiar with The Crucible by Arthur Miller? If so, did this remind you of it?)Anyone who had a grudge used "witchcraft" as an excuse to get even, and the honest ones who stood up for Claire were ignored. Very unfair trial, there seemed to be no doubt what the outcome would be. 10. How did you feel about Father Bain and Ned Gowan at the trial?Father Bain stuck me as a singularly unChristian misogynistic little twerp. I was thrilled when dry, unexciting Ned rode in like the cavalry. That took real courage. 11. What did you think about Jamie's rescue of Claire and her subsequent revelation regarding her origins? Jamie's reactions?Their true intimacy begins here because she finally trusts him enough with her truth and he is accepting of her story no matter how preposterous it appears to be. Jamie is amazing, and I think Claire is extremely courageous to risk all on telling the truth. 12. When Claire is taken back to the stones, what is your reaction? Was Jamie being noble or testing her love for him?I think Jamie loves Claire enough to let her go; I don't think he was testing her love. 13. If they had parted at the stones, would their goodbye have been enough for them?No goodbye would ever have been enough for them. 14. How did you feel when Jamie announced that he was taking Claire home to LallybrochClaire is meeting Jamie's closest kinfolk. I felt nervous for her (it's never easy to meet the relatives, particularly if they are packing dirks ;D) and happy for her that she is becoming more Jamie's wife.
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Post by desraelda on Jul 22, 2006 20:47:01 GMT -5
Whew, that's a lot. Thanks Des Karma from me, too. I started Dragonfly in Amber, and I've got Voyager warming up in the wings. Thanks for the karma. I'm really enjoying this. Dragonfly and Voyager are well worth reading. Like Outlander, there were parts that ripped my heart out. I'll be on vacation for about a week and I'll catch up with you guys when I get back. Off to the Asbury Park and the land of Skeeball. Maybe I'll run across Metatron while I'm there. 1. What are your impressions of the scene with Donas and Hamish?I held my breath during that scene. I was so afraid Hamish would be hurt. I could just see him, half afraid, approaching Donas, determined to prove that he could ride him. 2. How did you feel about Jamie's "facts-of-life" talk with Hamish?Had to chuckle. Jamie has such a direct way of saying things. 3. Upon the first reading, who did you think the "ill-wish" that Claire found came from?Laheer (ph) was probably the one who sent it, but Claire is already getting a reputation and there are others who might have done so, like Peter (he saw her talking to the Loch Ness Monster). 4. Why is Jamie so attractive to nice person men? (Such as Sandringham)Jamie is very attractive to women, and so is likely attractive to men, too. 5. How did you feel about the incident with the changeling?Scary. It's amazing what people can convince themselves of when they want to do something that is wrong ... like abandoning a sick baby. Claire couldn't have done anything less than what she did ... or tried to do. 6. What did you think of Geillis and Claire's conversation about witchcraft (note: Geillis has the Grimoire of the Comte St. Germain)?Geillis is as close to being a witch as she can possibly be. I think she believes she is and I think Claire finds her a bit frightening. 7. What did you think really happened when Geillis hypnotized Claire?Geillis has to be suspicious of Claire and that's why she used the herbs to hypnotize Claire. Geillis doesn't want anyone knowing too much about her. 8. How did you feel about Claire and Geillis being put into the theives' hole at Cranesmuir (after Claire was tricked)?Horrible. What terrible conditions. At least Geillis knew she deserved to be there, but Claire had to be frightened. 9. What are your impressions of Claire and Geillis' witch trial? (Is anyone familiar with The Crucible by Arthur Miller? If so, did this remind you of it?)The Crucible is a pretty accurate account of how the witch trials started in Salem. Hysteria and false accusations were enough to get it started. All it took for Claire and Geillis to be tried were a few accusations and the populace was ready to believe the worst. 10. How did you feel about Father Bain and Ned Gowan at the trial?Father Bain was far behind his own times and got what he deserved. Just loved Ned Gowan. I liked what Claire said about lawyers winning their cases by talking the judges to sleep. 11. What did you think about Jamie's rescue of Claire and her subsequent revelation regarding her origins? Jamie's reactions?Be still my beating heart. Jamie would go into hell itself to rescue Claire and not worry about being left behind as long as Claire was okay. Claire was so overcome by what had happened to her and the prospect of having been burned as a witch, that she just let it all out. 12. When Claire is taken back to the stones, what is your reaction? Was Jamie being noble or testing her love for him?Jamie wasn't neither testing her love for him nor was he being noble. He knew that the choice had to be hers if they were to have any kind of future together. 13. If they had parted at the stones, would their goodbye have been enough for them?It certainly wouldn't have been enough for me. I'm not sure either of them would have survived it and been a whole person ever again. 14. How did you feel when Jamie announced that he was taking Claire home to LallybrochA little surprised. Jamie couldn't go home because he was an outlaw, so he was taking an awful chance.
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Post by olwen on Jul 22, 2006 22:02:36 GMT -5
Uh, Des? Better be careful who you play Skeeball against. You never know! Hope you meet Metratron. Have a safe and wonderful trip!
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Post by desraelda on Aug 1, 2006 15:02:55 GMT -5
Uh, Des? Better be careful who you play Skeeball against. You never know! Hope you meet Metratron. Have a safe and wonderful trip! Back safe if not sound. Still catching up on sleep. And my beloved Casino on the boardwalk where I learned to play Skeeball is a ruin. Can't even get near it. Back to the subject at hand. Here are today's topics. Part 5-- Outlander "Lallybroch" Chapters 26-33 (pages 567-672 PB & pages 417-496 HC) 1. While discussing Geillis' crimes and Claire's past, Jamie defines being a good husband as having money, a good position, and not beating his wife (in reference to Arthur Duncan). Does Jamie qualify as a good husband at this point? 2. First Impressions of Lallybroch? 3. What is your reaction to Jamie and Jenny's relationship? 4. What is your Impression of Ian? 5. This is our first real "domestic" glance at Jamie and Claire. What is your feeling about their relationship at this point? 6. How do you feel about Grannie MacNab and the incident at the millpond? 7. We find out a alot about Jamies' s childhood at this point in the story. How do you think his childhood experiences made him the man he is now....? 8. On Quarter Day, does Jamie seem like the one who is in charge or does Jenny? 9. After Jenny's baby is born, Jamie says to Claire that its just as well that she's barren because he could not stand Claire's pain. Do you think he really means it? 10. When Jamie is taken by the watch, how does Jenny show her true character? Should she have stayed with her newborn?
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Post by giggin on Aug 2, 2006 13:25:00 GMT -5
...oh my goodness..you are back! I better shape up and get to answering these questions ;D. I'm on it! I haven't even answered the last set oooops, sorry! I'll get to them as soon as this weather cools off a bit yikes ! I hope you enjoyed your vacation Des ! Welcome back . Now, back to the room A/C !
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Post by olwen on Aug 3, 2006 19:52:01 GMT -5
And my beloved Casino on the boardwalk where I learned to play Skeeball is a ruin. Can't even get near it. Back to the subject at hand. Here are today's topics. Part 5-- Outlander "Lallybroch" Chapters 26-33 (pages 567-672 PB & pages 417-496 HC) 1. While discussing Geillis' crimes and Claire's past, Jamie defines being a good husband as having money, a good position, and not beating his wife (in reference to Arthur Duncan). Does Jamie qualify as a good husband at this point?By his own definition, perhaps not, because he is in exile from his estate and wanted by the English which makes his life and Claire's by extension, precarious. Yet, he is a good husband because he would lay down his life for Claire and there is no question about his love for her. 2. First Impressions of Lallybroch?I was a little amazed about how "modern" it really seemed. I guess I have this idea that two hundred years ago things were terribly primitive and that is not necessarily so. Peolple take care of their property, fall in love, marry, raise children, interact with friends and have daily lives just as we do. 3. What is your reaction to Jamie and Jenny's relationship?Theirs is a closeness all parents would want for their children. 4. What is your Impression of Ian?I liked Ian at once; he is a good man, husband, father and brother-in-law. He also shows courage in having a normal life given the loss of his leg. 5. This is our first real "domestic" glance at Jamie and Claire. What is your feeling about their relationship at this point?I think they start out "playing house" a bit, but they seem to settle into a domestic routine. Jamie can adapt easier than Claire, but Jenny's friendship helps Claire adapt and become a part of the household. 6. How do you feel about Grannie MacNab and the incident at the millpond?Garnnie McNab has the shrewdness of a elderly, but very wise woman who has seen a lot and is quick to judge a stiruation and save one of her own Scotsmen. 7. We find out a alot about Jamies' s childhood at this point in the story. How do you think his childhood experiences made him the man he is now....?I loved Jamie's family: his father was tough but loving and he produced a son who can walk in his footsteps. Jamie's mother was a loving woman who also made Jame feel loved in his home. Losing them was tragic for Jamie, but Jenny and his close relationship keeps the family alive. His mother was a bit of a surprise, really, considering the men who admired her from afar. I liked that. 8. On Quarter Day, does Jamie seem like the one who is in charge or does Jenny?Jenny is definitely in charge. Jamie has been away most of his adult life and he needs to grow into his role as the head of Lallybroch, not that he doesn't try. By late afternoon he takes on McNab's abuse of his young son which was well done. 9. After Jenny's baby is born, Jamie says to Claire that its just as well that she's barren because he could not stand Claire's pain. Do you think he really means it?Jamie loves Claire too much to hurt her in any way, but he probably would have been beyond joyful if Claire were pregnant. But he is a fine man and his love for Claire comes first because he wouldn't ever want to lose her so he uses this example to put the best spin on their situation and to comfort and reassure her. 10. When Jamie is taken by the watch, how does Jenny show her true character? Should she have stayed with her newborn?Jenny is fiercely loyal to her brother, like a mother lioness defending her cubs. I don't think she could have acted any other way because she knows the hell he went through and never wants him to go through it again if she can help it. She stayed away from her newborn until she had to return for the babe's good. Des Sorry about your ruined Casino but I hope your trip was fun. Glad you are back.
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