How did you feel about the different characters? It is interesting how the point of view in the narrative smoothly changes from one character to the other, allowing us to see how they feel, and making it easier to empathize with them. Were you actually able to feel empathy for the girls? for Mr. McCauley? What about Ken and Johanna?
Did you see the end coming?
Some critics suggest that the message Munro's work conveys is that the greatest purpose marriage has in a woman's life is to limit it. Do you see that in this story?
As always, looking forward to reading your thoughts on the author, the book, and on such interesting matters as hateship, friendship, courtship, loveship, and marriage.
Hello all!
ReplyDeleteI just finished the first chapter. First of all, very easy to read, very good descriptions of the characters and atmosphere and all that in very few pages.
I really enjoyed the end, as it struck me as a very real possibility, when you think all bad things are going to happen, no, you get surprised with marriage!
The characters of the girls are excellent, I do really see them whispering to each other and writing down those cruel letters while they are actually envious of each other, both Sabitha and Edith. Teens can be very cruel and play around with other people's feelings without thinking what is actually happening in the head of the other person, in this case Johanna.
This is the kind of short story that I like, unexpected and real at the same time and page-turner... Feeling good to go to the next one!
I was very hooked by the story since the very beginning and, like Rocio, I also enjoyed having a nice, happy end that I did not expect.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the kind of loving relationship that Johanna and Ken have is far from my ideal, I think it suits her. Also, I think the addition of a son born from that relationship shows how Johanna's life gets complete. In this case, I feel marriage made Johanna's life more meaningful and made Ben a better person. Well, maybe just what I wanted to extract from a few lines.
I liked very much how the story is narrated and how well depicted the characters are. I cannot say exactly why, but I particularly liked the part in which Johanna buys the dress. I liked the description of the scene, the store, of how Johanna feels, of how the sales-lady feels. Short but intense.
Looking forward to the next one!
I apologize for the delay in my comments… I am so behind the schedule these days!! I hope to catch up soon.
ReplyDeleteI agree both with Rocio and Macarena in their impressions. I very much enjoyed this story: easy to read, the descriptions are excellent, which makes the characters real and human. The story kept me hooked to the end.
It is amazing how much can be written with so few words. I am always impressed by that, since concision is not one of my strong points. Maybe Alice Munro should explain a couple of things to me and to Ken Follet :-)
I did not see the end coming at all… and I like that! I enjoy the unexpected in a book.
On to the next one!