Read Scotland discussion

This thread is for those who know the book or who have finished it. Write anything about the book, plot twists, endings and all, without worry.

Do not read this thread if you’re reading the book and don’t want the finish spoilt!

This March and April we’re reading: At the Water's Edge by Sara Gruen

Tell us your thoughts!

Ok, it was much darker than I expected or hoped. I certainly won't have picked it if I knew about the violence and worse in the 2nd half of the book. Ugh! Still, the supernatural events were interesting.

Did you like the characters? I did not.

Susan wrote: "Did you like the characters? I did not."

Of the main characters, the only one I was concerned about was Maddie. I gave her a pass in the beginning...hoping that she would become "Scottish". That happened. And how vile her parents (and in-laws) were was eventually revealed.
If she just had a fling with Angus, then I would have dropped this 2pts.

:)

I liked the main character and her transformation throughout the book. Her husband tho - yuck. I know his character is designed to be hated, but he really had no redeeming qualities! Also, was it just me or were there multiple reasons to think he was gay? It was never addressed directly, which just left me wondering. Agree with thoughts above about how surprisingly dark it was, but overall I liked the book, just some sections dealing with her husband were incredibly frustrating.

I read this book last summer. I almost gave up on it because all three main characters were so hateful at the beginning. Also, the idea that they would have been allowed on the military ship seemed ridiculously implausible. I stuck with it because I enjoyed the setting and the Scottish characters, and Maddie turned out all right in the end. I only gave it three stars, but that's a lot coming from me when the story involves something as silly as the Loch Ness monster.

Yay, finished it :) Cannot decide on a rating, I'm mega indecisive on things like this.

Interesting to read your takes on the characters, I really disliked all at the beginning but think we were supposed to, not sure. I wasn't completely 100% comfy with Maddie, her problem-solving skills weren't great and she seemed to wait to be rescued quite a bit. I could, however, identify with how she was vulnerable and overly sensitive (words that have been used about me, so I get it!) Overall, she grew on me over time.

I wish we could've cracked old Rhona a bit more! And Angus seemed a bit too stoic, I would've liked a bit more from him at the end.

Amy wrote: "I liked the main character and her transformation throughout the book. Her husband tho - yuck. I know his character is designed to be hated, but he really had no redeeming qualities! Also, was it j..."

It would've been hard to hate the husband more. And yes, I personally have little doubt he was in love with Hank. But did Hank return the feelings? The postcard girls confused me with this...

Kirk wrote: "Ok, it was much darker than I expected or hoped. I certainly won't have picked it if I knew about the violence and worse in the 2nd half of the book. Ugh! Still, the supernatural events were intere..."

I actually enjoyed it more the darker it became *hides face*. I was surprised at the supernatural elements within the book, despite the blurb, I didn't think it would slink over to the faery realm. I liked all the unexplained supernatural tidbits the author scattered here and there throughout the book - non-commital but a nudge to the mysterious.

Ellen wrote: "Kirk wrote: "Ok, it was much darker than I expected or hoped. I certainly won't have picked it if I knew about the violence and worse in the 2nd half of the book. Ugh! Still, the supernatural event..."
*rolls eyes*....I see....:)

Ellen wrote: "Yay, finished it :) Cannot decide on a rating, I'm mega indecisive on things like this.

Interesting to read your takes on the characters, I really disliked all at the beginning but think we were s..."
Congrats!

The novel was fine, but it might be too strong to say that I liked it. About 100 pages in I debated whether I wanted to keep going, perhaps because I found all of the characters so unlikeable and their dialogue uninteresting. But I kept going and the book improved. If I was to give a rating, which I did, it would be 3 stars. This rating is for a book that may not have appealed to me, but I would recommend to someone that is drawn to this style of book.

The visit of the actual Loch Ness monster at the end of the novel felt “over the top”. I was not expecting Nessie to play a role, but she appeared, although not necessarily to save the day.

As others have said, Ellis was a totally awful individual. His behaviour only became worse and more hateful as the novel proceeded. On the other hand, Maddie grew as a person, becoming more empathetic in her understanding of the inn staff and others. Yes, she did seem to be unable to get herself out of trouble without someone else rescuing her, but that may come from her privileged upbringing. As the novel progressed, Maddie became more independent. There is hope that her inner strength will become more apparent.

The relationship between Maddie and Angus seemed too quick to develop. I did not understand the connection. Initially, I wondered if she was running from Ellis to the first good man that she met. It does not seem like Maddie has had many good men in her life.

Finally, I think Amy’s comment about the possibility of Ellis being gay is quite insightful. It had not occurred to be me when reading the novel, but I think that is a real possibility. Maddie was just a convenient cover. The coin flip symbolizes his indifference to her. They only have sex once, in a most robotic, uncaring way. The relationship between Ellis and Hank seems overly close. They are described as being one. I am now wondering if the occasional “somewhat” kind gesture that Hank displays Maddie is driven by guilt due to his relationship with Ellis. Very interesting.

This summer, my wife and I are doing a six day barge cruise along the Caledonian Canal from Inverness to Fort William. We will be on Loch Ness for a couple of days, now on the lookout for Nessie, real or imagined.

Donald wrote: "The novel was fine, but it might be too strong to say that I liked it. About 100 pages in I debated whether I wanted to keep going, perhaps because I found all of the characters so unlikeable and t..."

I agree with you about Maddie and Angus - their relationship blossomed very quickly and without many clues as to what they liked in one another. I think maybe I was harsh on Maddie, opening a hospital for the soldiers is brave and a lifestyle not for the faint-hearted. I hope you enjoy your trip!

Donald wrote: "The novel was fine, but it might be too strong to say that I liked it. About 100 pages in I debated whether I wanted to keep going, perhaps because I found all of the characters so unlikeable and t..."

PS: If you spot Nessie we’ll all expect photographic evidence, no excuses! Good luck!