Feminist Reads for Angry Beans discussion

Okay, it's July 10th, so we're set to be finishing the book today (I am actually a little behind, I still have a few hours left on the audio, but I've read it before, so we'll go ahead) and since the website says I am the discussion leader, I figured I'd get off my butt and post some discussion questions. Feel free to post your own. You don't have to answer them all, I just want to get the discussion going! So, in no particular order...

Why do you think the Lady of the Forest takes such an interest in helping Sorcha break the curse?

Why do you think Sorcha was the strongest of the seven siblings?

What made Lord Colum such an easy target for Lady Oonagh in your opinion?

Do you think you could complete Sorcha's task? Why or why not (if you feel like sharing)?

What made Richard of Northwoods such a formidable enemy? Was it his cunning, ruthlessness, or his partnership with Eamon, or maybe something else entirely?

What scenes affected you most strongly? What did you feel?

Do you feel Red and Sorcha are well-matched?

What was the most romantic moment of the book in your opinion?

Does Sorcha's strength represent the hidden strength that hides within us all, or do you think she is special? Please explain your answer.

And of course... Did you enjoy the book?

I may add some more later as I reread the end of the book but those should get us going for now.

HERE THERE BE SPOILERS

1. We can tell that Sorcha is special to the faeries, probably because she's the seventh child of the family, also she has special "gifts" from her mother. So the forest fey love her and want to help her, also they want her to undo the evil magic the Lay Oonagh used.

2. It wasn't that Sorcha was the strongest, it was that the bond she felt with her brothers was so strong that she would do anything to free them. Her love for her brothers kept her going and she never gave up for their sake.

3. Lord Colum was a self-centered man who was too focused on himself and the war against the Britons. He was incredibly depressed after the death of his wife, so adding that to the mix it made him vulnerable to the Lady Oonagh's magic. Oonagh wanted power and she got it through him.

4. I think that it's not so much the task itself (which is plenty difficult) its what she went through while trying to complete the tasks. If that had been me I couldn't have done it.

5. Richard was an enemy because he wanted his nephew's lands and he had a ridiculous hatred for the Irish. He was manipulative and powerful, and used all that to nearly kill Sorcha. As villains go he was not the most cunning, but he was a bad man with power and thats never a good thing.

6. One thing that kinda felt a bit wrong to me was towards the end when her brothers are freed and they're just like "taking Sorcha back to Ireland bye" but Sorcha wanted to stay with Red because she loved him. However she never speaks up. She can use her voice now, but she just lets her brothers make this decision for her. I mean she's been through so much she should just be like "no I want to stay with Red". And she never does until one of them gives her permission to speak her mind. I mean really, she has every right to make her own decisions, especially since she saved her brothers int he first place.

7. Red and Sorcha was precious and perfect babies! She broke her silence for him for gods sake! Also it was just so sweet when he marries her and protects her and *incoherent squeaking*

8. Besides everything? I think my favorite was when Red goes to Ireland to be with Sorcha and he's presented before the family and he's trying to be really calm but right when he knows Sorcha's there he just loses it and its so sweet and THE FEELS!

9. Like I said, it wasnt about strength so much as how far one would go for the people they love. You see how Sorcha demonstrates this all through the book, and in different ways for different people.

10. I loved this book! I love Juliet Marillier's writing you should read some of her other books. I love fairytale retellings, I love stories about Ireland, i love faeries, so this book had everything for me.

MY QUESTIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1. This book is a retelling of the Grimms fairytale The Six Swans. Is this a fairytale you've heard of before or is it one that's new to you?

2. This book mixes historical fiction with historical fantasy. Did the History of ancient Ireland interest you?

3. How much did this book make you cry? Just kidding! (not really)

Why do you think the Lady of the Forest takes such an interest in helping Sorcha break the curse?

Given the fact that like Jennifer said, Sorcha is the 7th child, she has special gifts. Also, I believe that her mother was very fey-like as well, especially since Niamh was her name. Her relationship with the forest obviously shows to Lady that she is special and almost adopts Sorcha.

Most importantly, I think, the Lady and Lord of the Forest need Sorcha to marry a Briton. Sorcha is learned, her brother is a druid, and her family has a strong position on the island. Her father's obsession with regaining the sacred land and her ability to separate herself from that, while still remaining loyal to Erin made her the best choice to be the other half of the Briton/Irish Alliance the Fey needed.

Why do you think Sorcha was the strongest of the seven siblings?

It's less that she was the strongest, and more the fact that she was the main connection to all of her siblings. Her support unit, unwavering loyalty, and selflessness not only encourages people to be part of her network, but also gives her strength.

What made Lord Colum such an easy target for Lady Oonagh in your opinion?

He's a twat. No but really... he was an easy target because his a broken man. First the only thing he cared about was his wife, and then when she died he went off after something that is essentially unattainable. He had a hole to fill and you bet Lady Oonagh put out some witchy pheromones which probably reminded him of the family he wish he could have.

Do you think you could complete Sorcha's task? Why or why not (if you feel like sharing)?

Probably not. I don't like pain and I really like to talk. I also consider myself an only child, so I can't really see myself having a bond of that magnitude.

What made Richard of Northwoods such a formidable enemy? Was it his cunning, ruthlessness, or his partnership with Eamon, or maybe something else entirely?

I honestly think Oonagh working with Richard was one of the main bits of his power. The reason why he is powerful is because has what seems to be, an unlimited supply of resources at his disposal. He was able to make Simon disappear, conveniently have some priest murdered so he could get rid of Father Dominic, and I believe most of that power comes from his alliance with the sorceress. Also he's a rich landowner so that helps a lot, of course. But for the most part, what bothered me about Richard was his disgusting manner towards the people we generally think of as the good guys. He's gross, I'm glad he's dead.

What scenes affected you most strongly? What did you feel?

Red's storytime sessions made me cry in a good way. Margery's childbirth probably scared me the most, the way the book was going I was so sure either mother or child would die. I was bothered by Sorcha's assault because I felt it was unnecessarily drawn out to be quite honest. It seems like the reason it was there was for her and Red to have a barrier between them. Her hideaway was fairly safe and she had an Irish Wolfhound guarding her. Those dogs are huge and trained to hunt big game (wolves, bears, boar), a drunk with a knife wouldn't be a match. I don't really support trial by dangerous men, as a plot point.

I felt a lot. Especially when all the brothers just happened to disappear. Why Finbar, why would you go and have swan babies.

Do you feel Red and Sorcha are well-matched?

Yes, probably because the Fair Folk orchestrated it since before they were born so that's cool. Also, everyone should love redheads.

What was the most romantic moment of the book in your opinion?
When they spent the day at the cove and Sorcha was completely clueless and running around. Then Red's all "SO DID MY BROTHER GIVE YOU THE THING OR NAH?" God I feel bad for Simon.

Does Sorcha's strength represent the hidden strength that hides within us all, or do you think she is special? Please explain your answer.
Counterpoint to Jennifer, going to another country and putting yourself through hella trials for your whiny older brothers is definitely a form of strength.
I think she might be special in that, like I said she has a great support network, touched by the fey, etc. However, I also believe that most people also have the potential to have that strength if they find the right reason to show it.

And of course... Did you enjoy the book?
I remembered how bad I feel for Simon. But not as much as I love Red so.... They only have a healthy relationship, Simon was just strange.

Obviously I did. It took me a while to get into it, but then I did and literally did not stop reading.

Jennifer's:
This book is a retelling of the Grimms fairytale The Six Swans. Is this a fairytale you've heard of before or is it one that's new to you?
There is an extreme deja vu quality to this book for me, that could be it. Or probably more Irish legends.

This book mixes historical fiction with historical fantasy. Did the History of ancient Ireland interest you?
Hella.

How much did this book make you cry? Just kidding! (not really)
Hella.

Mine: Apparently this is a thing....
Speaking of Simon: Simon said he was with the fairies for a fairly significant time, do you think the Lady of the Forest had something to do with their timely arrival?

There is a lot to do with the Old Religion and Christianity in this book, why do you think Lady Oonagh and Colum chose to have a Christian wedding rather than a handfasting?

I thought of another question: Finbar, do you think the reason why he kept hounding Sorcha to give up the quest was because he'd already started a swan family, because he cares for her and didn't want her hurt, or another/both/all of these reasons? He was the only brother who really tried to get her to stop. He also almost ruined it all for the rest of them.

Sara's questions:

1. You know, maybe. She could've wanted to test Sorcha and or Red to the very last second. Or, she might have had Simon taken just to keep him safe from Richard until Red got to Ireland.

2. I think that Lady Oonagh "convinced" Colum to have a Christian wedding for a few reasons. One was to make her seem like an innocent god-fearing woman completely removed from magic. Another would have been maybe to ensure the marriage couldn't be broken or declared invalid. I don't think divorce was really a thing in this time period, but I could be wrong. Also, a Christian wedding wouldn't have any Old Religion magic interfering with it.

Finbar was always a wild card among the brothers. I think that yes, maybe he had a swan family by then and wanted to stay. Or maybe it was because he felt he never had a place in his family , a specific calling per se. There's definitely more to his story in the second book Son of Sevenwaters, but I'm not sure what exactly that is.

He was with the brothers for a while though. I bet she had the fey folk keep Simon until Red made all Lovey Eyes with Sorcha, then was all "Yes excellent, FREE THE HUMAN."

Handfasting Ireland would be a hella valid marriage. But what I was thinking that the druids friggin hate her so they wouldn't go anywhere near it. She probably did want to seem innocent, which is hilarious because the only innocent people in the book in my opinion are Sorcha and Margery.

No one talks bad about Margery. Lookin' at you Dead Richard.