slowly • reading discussion

I can tell a big theme of this book is supposed to be ‘character progression’ and learning to be compassionate and considerate of others, but boy has Burnett made Mary almost too dislikable for me 😅

‘ “Here he is,” chuckled the old man, and then he spoke to the bird as if he were speaking to a child.
“Where has tha’ been, tha’ cheeky little beggar?” He said. “I’ve not seen thee before today. Has tha’ begun tha’ courtin’ this early in th’ season? Tha’rt too for’ard.” ‘

This is actually the cutest thing I’ve read. There’s such a cute irony of looking at a little bird and telling them they’re being too forward.

“We’re neither of us good-lookin’ an’ we’re both of us as sour as we look.”

Oof, that’s rough buddy. I’m not sure what I’d do if an older person told me I was ugly and sour at 10 years old.

“Dickon’s wanderin’ about everywhere. Th’ very blackberries an’ heather-bells knows him. I warrant th’ foxes shows him where their cubs lies an’ th’ skywards doesn’t hide their nests from him.”

🩷🩷🩷
So sweet.

I really enjoyed chapter 4, my favourite one so far.
It began with Mary being incredibly unlikable but as the chapter progressed you realise she’s an incredibly lonely little girl who has always been cared for with an approach of disdain and separation; never to be refused or criticised. Very much so nurtured into her disagreeable traits.
However, being confronted by her loneliness, lack of basic skills, and faced with blunt honesty, will hopefully push her to start being more compassionate and less entitled.