by Katie,
It seems that I have unknowingly entered us into a trilogy. If we enjoyed this book, we are welcome to continue our journey with the Scofield, Butler, and Claytor families. We follow the convergence of three families intertwined by marriage. We look at how families work together, struggle within themselves while simultaneously maintaining strong loyalty. Critics promise that Dew is a master of family nuances. I wonder if we will agree with that statement.
My particular copy of this novel has several discussion questions. This is a long one but one I feel we can most talk about.
"Compare the family structures of the Butlers, Scofields, and Claytors. Are the families more alike or more disparate behind closed doors? How do Catherine, Audra, and Lillian compare as mothers? What about Dwight, Leo, and John? Do the men or the women of the family hold more influence or bear more responsibility for each family's happiness?"
I think we all like strong female characters in our novels. From all the clips I've read, Lilly promises to be a strong force. Do we think Lilly
is a strong character or do we think any other character is stronger?
Hello Ladies
ReplyDeleteI’m looking out on my snow covered garden, grey sky heavy with snow, knowing my car is out front covered in lots of snow because it’s parked in a place I now realise the windblown snow likes to gather. Jay is enjoying the heat in Malaysia. I’m expecting treats when he returns. I hope you are both in a happier situation climatically, and indeed a happy situation generally. The novel has served to make me feel less sorry for myself.
It would make a brilliant T.V. series. There’s no-one here you’d completely trust, which makes for excellent drama. There’s just no saying what a person will come up with next – and no bets on who will die next either. I was quite sad to see Edson go, though it was perhaps as well Catherine went when she did. I’d be interested to know what happens to Warren as he grows older. He seems not quite formed as yet. And Lily is bound to tell him Agnes killed his Dad. Robert, now a successful writer of ‘dark and severe’ poetry, clearly has the potential and the opportunity to develop in ways as yet unthought of. Perhaps his war experiences will come back to haunt him. And will Lily’s relationship with Marjorie become physical? The possibilities are endless.
Which of course, is true of life.
I’m assuming the ‘her’ in the title is Agnes. One rather thinks this does not bode well for Agnes’s future, particularly if the ‘evidence’ in the title relates to the death of John Scofield, The fact Agnes is “locked into a ferocious and lifetime advocacy of Claytor Edson Alcorn Scofield againt all others” may also have a considerable bearing on her future. It’s to be hoped Claytor turns out to be a well-balanced person, though one fears not.
I wish we’d had a family tree, or maybe several family trees. I found myself struggling in places. So many people and so much happening to them. Behind closed doors, Lillian seems to have been a distant mother to Warren; poor Catherine was certainly not an ideal parent, but loved her children ferociously. I must have missed something because I can’t recall any details of the relationship between Audra and Lily, though marital relationships between Audra and her husband Leo seems to be a happy. Which is more than can be said of the situations in the Claytor and Scofield households. Dwight Claytor and John Scofield would get short shrift from ‘Me too’ campaigners. It does seem that mothers and fathers in the novel bear a fairly equal responsibility for the sometimes less than satisfactory upbringing of their children. In that respect, behind closed doors, the families are similar.
With regard to Lily’s strength of character, Catherine summed her up well: ‘ . . . little weasel face and all her . . . talking and talking. She’s a brittle, stringy little thing . . . sharp.’ Perhaps strong is not the right word to describe Lily: a manipulator I felt.
Just the kind of book one needs to occupy one’s self on these long dark cold nights. Thank you, Katie. I’d never have picked it myself. A page-turner.
Love to you both and your families. Look forward to reading your comments.
Hello Ladies,
ReplyDeleteHope you are both well. This month has been so busy and short. We had so many social engagements after months of quiet. It certainly made things crazy. Sue, I hope the snow doesn’t create too much difficulty for you. It will be so nice when Jay comes back. Nancy, hope the summer has finally cooled down a bit. Hope the kids are good too.
I feel that the Butlers had very little impact on most of the novel. It seemed that their sole purpose was to create Robert. As for the Claytors and the Scofields, they were more alike than they probably thought. (As you felt Sue.) Both families had this desparate desire to project a certain appearance within their communities. John’s alcoholism and Catherine’s lack of interest in matronly duties were great shames to each family. And despite their shortcomings, their families strove to protect them and their image.
For all of their resentment toward Agnes, it seemed as she was the only one maintaining any structure within the Claytor house. Catherine effectively advocated her duties. What other option did Agnes have but to pick up what her mother wouldn’t? It seemed that she held more responsibility for the happiness within the Claytors. I found her to be a much stronger character than Lilly. Lilly is described as being the ring leader of the trio, but Warren and Robert’s lack of interest in leading seems to be what gave her that title. Her amicable nature doesn’t seem enough to label her a “strong character”. It appears Lilly never won you over, Sue! And I am in agreement.
Leo Scofield was a more forceful character than Dwight, John or George. His household was, in my opinion, appropriately balanced: wife caring for the home, husband caring for the business. While John’s household seemed dependent on Lillian. As her sorrow over her lost children lingered, her home all but shut down. John was a wreck anytime Lillian was gone. And George was a very tertiary character to the whole novel so his household is not worth comparing.
In comparing Dwight, Leo and John in their competency as fathers, Leo wins in my book. Dwight and John seemed to be very absent in their parenting responsibilities. For the mothers, Audra and Lillian were relatively on the same level in their child care. While I do not blame Lillian for her reaction to loss, Audra seemed to have held up better in the face of child loss.
Sue, I'm glad you enjoyed this novel. Did it have enough to interest you both into continuing this (from the author’s note) potential quadrilogy? I have no particular preference here.
Love to you both!
Hello Ladies,
ReplyDeleteWhat a busy time it’s been, both sam and Gracie have been home to visit which was wonderful, so good to have all my chickens back in the nest! I couldn’t stop smiling while they were here, even their small sibling bickers were amusing we had a great time.
Our weather has cooled to mid 20’s and it is so gooooood. Yesterday we had the kayak out and enjoyed a lovely backwater paddle and picnic, I love Autumn.
Sorry to hear Sue your weather is less than stellar.
Why don’t you come visit us for a few weeks then fly home with Jay? Just an idea, it would be so fun.
Of course Katie, you, Franklin and the children are always welcome when you can hit in an Aussie Adventure holiday as well.
I’m afraid this months novel left me a life dissatisfied when I’d finished it, I kept thinking I’d missed something. Now on reading both your posts, and saying ‘Oh of course’ so many times I realise I am just hopeless with all the subtleties and nuance. I guess I was waiting to be hit over the head with information and I kept thinking ’there has to be more to this’ and ‘when are we getting back to this part’. So thank you friends I feel much better about the story now I have things explained a bit more.
I have to agree with you both and Catherine’s description of Lily, I didn’t like her much either.
I liked Agnes and found her to be a strong and resilient character, although as she matured some of her childhood experiences seemed to manifesting themselves in her personality in unhealthy ways, such as her need for the household to be perfect and her obsession with Clayton.
While reading I was reminded very much how families and their histories work. Even my own family history, as I’m sure most people’s is filled with half truths and hidden scandals. Both my Grandmother and Mother were masters of the coverup !! haha. I thought of this when the true relationship of the twins was being moulded into something more acceptable.
I’m not sure if the title refers to Agnes or to all of the women in the story and how their lives were formed by their true experiences and how family influenced the story that was actually told.
love to you both
Hello Ladies
ReplyDeleteLovely to read your comments. I'm not sure, Katie, about reading another three books about these families. I fear Lily might be very irritating and Agnes never happy. On the other hand, there might be lots of entertainment in the Dallas-type plotting. (I'm showing my age here. Did either of you see American TV series 'Dallas'? My Mum loved it.) So, if you're both keen, I'll go with the flow.
Lovely to read how busy you both are with happy activities. And how I wish I could take up your wonderful invitation, Nancy. However, Jay's return date is now uncertain. Complicated story, but he could be needed to help some one make the plane journey from Malaysia to the U.K. However, if he goes to Malaysia again next year, I may take up your marvellous suggestion. Quite apart from the joy of spending time with you, temperatures in the mid twenties sound so inviting. It's getting warmer now, but even this week I had to struggle through snow. You'd laugh, Katie. Couple of inches and we come to a standstill.
Hope you and your families are well and remain happily occupied
Much love
Sue
Forgot to say what a very good idea to interpret the 'her' of the title as all of the women. Makes so much more sense of the book. Thanks Nancy.
ReplyDeleteAs always, much love to you both.
Sue
I would not be upset if we skipped hearing about the Scofields and Claytors, haha! What do you say, Nancy?
ReplyDeleteI agree !! No more Schofield/Claytor for now.
ReplyDeleteSorry you can't come visit this year Sue,the invitation is always open to you both and your families. How much fun would it be !!
Hi Ladies,
ReplyDeleteNot sure which of us suggested Bettyville but I'll happily do the intro if that's OK with you both.
Hope all is well
much love, nancy
That's very kind of you, Nancy. Thank you. All is well here - snow finally disappeared on Monday, and tomorrow I might get out in the garden to assess winter damage. I really like the 'background' of hangers. Sure there's a better word for background (and probably 'hangers' too) but it's nearly midnight and words have deserted me. Hope you are your families are well.
ReplyDeleteMuch love to you both
Sue