Books Without Borders discussion

Whew! My day almost got away from me! Sorry this is late. :)

1. At one point Sarah says, "Mother had an unsettling ability to foretell the weather" (page 91). Do you believe that Martha Carrier possessed special powers of any sort?

2. What about Martha's character seemed to antagonize so many neighbors?

3. In what ways did Martha and Sarah have a typical mother-daughter relationship?

4. What about their relationship could be contributed to the particular time and circumstances in which the Carriers lived? Consider Sarah's statement: "Perhaps it was true that I was like my mother, as everyone seemed to think so" (page 142).

5. What are your first impressions of Mercy Williams?

1. Yes I do. Why not? haha. I like to think that if she's gonna be accussed of being a witch, I hope that at the very least she is one!

2. She seems to me to have grown up with a being-nice-won't-get-you-anywhere type attitude. and that she doesn't appear to trust anyone does give her a very reclusive appearence.

3. Martha and Sarah both seem to be incredibly stubborn and far too similar to each other. Very much like me and my mother.... haha

4. It does appear to be a society where everyone knows everyone and everything about them. You can't hide anything from public knowledge, and without access to TV and other popular entertainments, they were all left to gossip and start/spread rumours.

5. Mercy is a B****. Although I can't finger out why. Feels like she was planted there just to give Sarah trouble. Have yet to find out whether another character made her go there, or if it's just the Authoress' plot plans breaking through!

(Also, apologies for being a week behind, I intend to spend this weekend reading, so I should catch up to week 3 soon!!xx)

1. I didnt think that Martha possessed any special powers. During 17th century New England, many women were docile and carried themselves in a manner that reflected their need to be handled with kid gloves. Martha did not carry herself in this manner. She was self sufficient, determined and head-strong.

2. The fact that Martha didn't go out of her way to become involved with her neighbors caused some antagonism from them. Also, Martha's independence, strong-will and voicing her opinions didnt sit well with the neighbors either.

3. Martha and Sarah struggled for control. While Sarah desired to experience first-hand the softer side of her mom, Martha was too strong to allow that vulnerability to ever surface. Martha had great expectations of Sarah, however, at times Sarah wanted to simply be a kid with time to play, read, goof off and daydream.

4. Although Martha had no choice about returning home, she was determined to live it on her own terms but with one exception....they'd attend church at the meeting hall to appease the town folk and her mother. When she realized that not much had changed about the community and its inhabitants she set out to do things the way she and her husband desired.

5. Mercy seems very disturbed and a bit calculating.