‘Songs in Ordinary Time is a masterful epic of the everyday, illuminating the kaleidoscope of lives that tell the compelling story of this unforgettable family.’
Do we think this family is unforgettable?
Although most of the novel's characters are flawed, few of them are truly malevolent, Renie LaChance's telephone calls to women, Sonny Stoner's affair with Eunice, Father Gannon's affair with Alice, Robert Haddad's Thievery, and Sam's alcoholism.
Do these characters, and their failings, have anything in common?
Omar Duvall is known to the reader as a dishonest and potentially dangerous man. Why do you think the people of Atkinson are drawn to such a reprehensible figure?
This novel has so many characters and so many story lines it is difficult to ask just a few questions for us to think about. The scope is endless so please if you would like to disregard the questions and discuss another part of the novel that would be great.
Hello Ladies
ReplyDeleteHope you and your families are well. Hope, too, you enjoyed your days with Grace in Melbourne, Nancy. What’s the weather like with you Katie? It sounds truly dreadful. We’ve got ice, fog and a cold wind, but so far have not had much snow. Indeed, a few weeks ago Jay and I went to London and, amongst other things, spent a gloriously sunny day in Kew Gardens.
I finally read Coffin Road, Nancy. Thank you for the recommendation. I enjoyed it very much. Gunn was still a minor character but had a much higher profile than in the Lewis Trilogy. To be honest, I enjoyed this even more than the trilogy, as it was based on corrupt pharmaceutical companies and research into bees. Very topical and informative, and the good guys win. I do like a happy ending.
Turning to Songs in Ordinary Times, it’s a while since I’ve read anything so long into the night. Initially, I found the story completely depressing. Every one of the extensive list of characters (another novel in which a cast list cross referencing relationships would have helped) was in trouble of some kind and had nothing to look forward to – true even of Jessie Klublock. However, after a while in which I struggled to recall who was who I suddenly got it. Couldn’t help but love Norm, though I never really warmed to Marie. This is very unkind of me since she was doing the best she could in awful circumstances. Benjy was distressingly realistic. The river scene with Norm and Duvall was a miracle of love-motivated bravery. Should have seen it coming after all that fuss about Benjy’s swimming lessons. Alice’s relationship with her father was heartbreakingly sad, and must have influenced her relationships with men/boys her own age, but I wasn’t always clear how. I was just glad she never got pregnant.
Can’t imagine how long this must have taken to write. Wonderfully defined society, both in terms of setting and characters. As you point out, Katie, we’re introduced to a myriad of flawed individuals, their fragilities revealed as they struggle to respond to life’s problems: marriage and business failures, health issues, poverty, etc. Duvall, of course, is in another league – not just flawed but evil, setting out with the intention of using others to further his own interests. He exercises enormous charm and insight into people’s weaknesses to manipulate them. They love him for it. Then he murders his victims should it prove necessary to protect himself.
Ready-made for a television adaptation, it had everything: sex, murder, madness, intrigue . . . The characters were convincingly inter-related, their back stories fascinating. Renie, Stoner, Joey, Haddad . . . fully rounded people. Eventually, the story became looked-forward-to escapism. Thank you, Katie.
Hello to you both! Sue, the weather here is crazy. One day it's the coldest day of the year, the next it's early spring! Climate change at its best. A walk in some lovely gardens sounds great but unfortunately won't be happening here for a bit. Nancy, thank you again for writing the /intro. January slipped away from me and February is threatening to be equally as short. How are the kids? Benjamin and Lillian are doing wonderfully.
ReplyDeleteI found this novel so incredibly depressing. I could only read it a few paragraphs at a time and though I started it early, I didn't finish until February. Marie's harsh life a was just heartbreaking. Not that many of the other characters were leading such perfect lives.
In addition, I found Duvall to be such a loathsome character. I kept wishing for him to get what he deserved but that never came to be. I also hated listening to him manipulate Marie so successfully. Some times it was hard to tell if he was sincere or if it was more lies. What a devious character!
I guess everyone's draw to Duvall was ultimately hope. Marie hoped for happiness and relief from the tremendous burden she carried. Benjy hoped for happiness for his family. Mr. Klubock and Mr. Haddad hoped for was out of their financial and work problems. So many of these characters were desperate for a simple answer and Duvall's lies seemed to fulfill those answers. I took from our story that there were so many instances that could have been relieved if the people of Atkinson would have just helped one another out. IF they had just asked for help before getting in over their heads. But I guess pride can be a terrible hinderance.
Not my favorite book of my choosing. I'm starting to think you ladies choose much better novels ha!
much love to you both!-Katie
Hi Ladies,
ReplyDeleteI’m sorry to be so late on my post this month, I’ve been a little under the weather for the last few weeks and while things are stable at the moment I have a surgery scheduled for next month which should put all things to rights. Nothing serious though I’m feeling more frustrated by inactivity than anything else.
I found our story this month at times very enjoyable and at other times tough going. I found the only character I really liked was Norm so I was quite invested in his story and feel he came out the end OK.
Like you Katie I was wishing Omar’s crimes caught up with him and found his walking away unscathed and probably on to inflict himself on another gullible family distressing.
This novel was made into a movie back in the early nineties I think starring Beau Bridges as Omar and Sissy Spacek as Marie. I’m glad I found this out later as I quite like Sissy Spacek as an actress and I really didn’t like Marie as a character.
The novel was very long and with so many characters felt like many novels squished into one, I admire an author who can keep track of so many characters and storylines.
I hope all is well with you both and your families. I didn’t make it to Melbourne, but Sam came home for a few days and it was wonderful to spend time with him.
Love to you both,
Nancy