Alias The Gibbon
Sep. 13th, 2005 09:50 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
lathanyEarlier 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![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
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, unclechrestomancy 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 missedchrestomancy 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.
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.
