Alias The Gibbon

[lathany]

Earlier this week I finished Alias Grace, it was my second attempt at reading this book. I can't say I was particularly impressed.

It was obvious that MA had gone to a lot of trouble to research both the case (of Grace Marks - one of Canada's most notorious 19th Century murderesses) and the historical period. There's lots of nice stuff about the medical theories at that time and about the work of various servants in large and not so large houses. My favourite part of the book is when Mary Witney is still alive and she and Grace are working and living together. I also liked the way in which the murder is explained and the final conclusion of the book.

On the downside, the book has a slow start (hence my problems getting into it the first time around), I don't like the doctor (Simon) much (although I did enjoy Grace as a character) and the biggest plot twist of the whole book (about half to two-thirds of the way through when Grace enters the evening party) turned out to be worthless - ie. it simply didn't matter to either the plot or the characters. Which was a shame, because I was expecting so much more.

I bought the book having fond memories of Cat's Eye (although I'm not a big fan of The Handmaid's Tale), but it certainly isn't nearly as interesting.



Yesterday we received three important visitors.

Bea and Ryan's future nursery teacher (Mrs White) visited along with the nursery nurse. I thought both of them were really lovely people. The duo were moderately well behaved. Ryan was in very high spirits and climbing everywhere, but at least was in a good mood. I got to talk a bit about what the duo enjoyed (Ryan - music, singing, reading; Bea - reading, climbing/running, other people) and to warn them that Ryan's potty training is a little ropey around the edges. I also told them about bateleur and I swapping over and that I would be back at work. They finished the visit by taking pictures of the duo to be placed on their coat pegs (and then had to take Ryan's several times 'cos he kept reaching for the camera). The twins enjoyed themselves muchly and Bea was on the verge of tears that she couldn't leave with them and go to nursery at once.



Then, in the afternoon, uncle chrestomancy arrived looking... completely different (looking, in fact, like a well-known figure but I won't say who in case anyone else wants to be surprised). He showed amused amazement at the current height and talkativeness of the duo, I chatted about all the various things that had happened in his absence (not much) and belatedly asked about the travelling (my excuse being that I'd already heard a great deal through email and LJ). When the duo were packed off to bed, bateleur returned for shepherd's pie, chocolate pots, Orvietto and loads more talking (plus I opened pressies - I'm currently wearing a nice pair of dragonfly earrings!).

I've really missed chrestomancy and was sorry he had to go. Hopefully I'll be able to persuade him and TheHattedOne to come for dinner (again) soon.



Finally - less than three weeks to go before everything changes for me.

Comments

[undyingking.livejournal.com]

looking, in fact, like a well-known figure

Chandler Bing? smiorgan? The Duke of Edinburgh? Don't keep us in suspense!

[cardinalsin.livejournal.com]

She mean he looked like a million dollars ;)

[undyingking.livejournal.com]

* chortles *

[lathany.livejournal.com]

Billy Connolly

[undyingking.livejournal.com]

Purple beard and all? Hoots!

[triskellian]

Just a quick comment, cos I'm skimming my friends list from sumbitch's* porch: I can't remember enough of Alias Grace to comment on that, but if you liked Cat's Eye, allow me to lend you The Robber Bride sometime. It's possibly my favourite book. And then if you like that, I'll forcibly lend you a load of others :-) Alias Grace, from what I remember, is pretty different from everything else, as is The Handmaid's Tale. Cat's Eye is much more typical, although you have to be a bit careful with her earlier stuff, cos some of it's not as good.

*sumbitch is the alternate identity of unknownid, and I think she's friending you with that journal as I type :-)

[lathany.livejournal.com]

Thanks - I'd be interested in The Robber Bride.

I know about sumbitch, but I wasn't sure whether she wanted me to link to that account which is why I've never friended it.

[condign.livejournal.com]

This is painful. The Gibbon and the Hatted One. They're both supposed to look really different, and I can't see it.

[lathany.livejournal.com]

Although not many people over here have seen it either. chrestomancy is going to shave and have a haircut for an interview (in a week or so) and I haven't seen TheHattedOne myself yet (and she may have dyed her hair by the time I do).

So don't feel too left out!