Hana’s Comments (group member since Jul 15, 2014)

Hana’s comments from the Retro Reads group.

Ditto here, Susan. The ending really was way too melodramatic. Also I basically disliked almost all of the characters (though I didn't want them all dead!)

Also I used to fault Mary Stewart for the constant cigarettes in her novels but the amount of booze that everyone puts away in this story left my head whizzing! How they could stand, let alone ski is beyond me.

Susan, I thought of The Salzburg Connection as well.

It made me think of Dick Francis as well, particularly in Ch. 4 and 5 (view spoiler)[with the high speed, high risk, physically grueling ski scenes. Like Francis, Hammond Innes knows how to describe pain and fear so perfectly that my heart missed more than a few beats! (hide spoiler)]

Hammond Innes' heroes are always so likable. Plus he nails Britain's post-war austerity in the opening chapters. Everyone is struggling, trying to reinvent themselves and rebuild their lives.

A Fugue in Time really sounds like the way she writes. This time around in the Prologue she plunges us right into the story, but from another, much later time. The Gerard Manley Hopkins poem is lovely. Here's the whole thing: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem...

We've got some great adult Retro Reads coming up through February. Maybe we should plan a Children's RR for mid to late March or early April--some great suggestions here!

Haha! Those bathrooms really were an improvement! So was the high tea :)

Christmas Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Just about to start chapter 10. I find Elspeth/Cecilia's story fascinating.

Is the solution to [spoilers removed]"This is such a great point, Carol. I'm making a note to remember that we should discuss the pros and cons of Philippa's initial business oriented approach in our later threads. It's a fascinating evolution.

I'm seconding the Benedictines and the many sages of my own tradition who prescribe a healthy diet of set times for prayer and song and physical work as an antidote to the crazy world that bombards us on every side and at every moment.

So true, Fergus! We are seeing it now with the physical schools being closed and kids parked in front of screens all day instead....Oops, I'm going off topic but this is a surprisingly important book to be reading at this moment.

Karlyne wrote: "I wonder if real books are easier for those of us who grew up with them because that's how the books programmed our brains as kids. I know that when I have to help the kids with "literature" online..."

Reading from physical symbols is thousands of years old. We are deeply programed to absorb information this way. Even older is sharing stories with song, chant and story telling. And perhaps even before that came pictures and carving. We need give our minds a break from the modern demands and get back to ways of learning that reach the deepest parts of our minds and souls.

Even if we are reading alone...there is something to be said for being able to blubber in private!

Carolien wrote: "Sometimes it really helps to be able to refer to lists of characters and a book is much better than an ebook (or audio) in those circumstances.." Yes! That's totally true for me. I really do think the brain processes print/script very differently than digital imagery. Reading aloud to a friend or family member is yet another ancient way of learning. Maybe audio captures some of that but it's not the same as sitting around the fire after dinner reading for a circle of beloved ones.

Here's how to hide spoilers: https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/2...

Well said, Jackie--but can you put the last two paragraphs in a spoiler bracket?

I'm guessing Philippa longed for a glass of Hennessy Cognac more than a few times in her first year--and a cigarette, too!

I'm starting to re-read this to savor it again with all of you. The first time through I was reading really fast because I got so engrossed in the story but this time through I want to enjoy all the characters and all the details.

Karlyne wrote: "Maybe some griefs just have to stay solitary until we can let them out without blowing ourselves to pieces.
..." So true and so well said. Thank you, Karlyne.

Susan, I seem to remember you are a fan of the superb Brother Cadfael series. Dame Philippa struck me right from the start as a sort of 20th century female version of our favorite Benedictine from Shrewsbury. No murders at Brede, though there was an excellent mystery.

Don't forget to cross-post your reading ideas here: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...