Somehow I have relistened to a good portion of the book this week, I do not believe that I will finish by the end of the month since that is tomorrow, sorry. It was good for me to repeat it since I missed some important parts of the story.
I am up to the part (again) where Densher is visiting Millie after she missed the dinner at Aunt Maud's house. (I may not be spelling the names correctly since I returned my copy of the book to the library.) They are just about to take a ride together in the carriage.
I am not sure that I believe Kate to be in love with Densher or if she were truly in love she would have "taken him as he is". From the scheming going on, do I understand correctly that Kate is pushing him to Millie that he would get together with her and since she is ill, would inherit her wealth when she passes away? It is sad to me that Millie's wealth is what they are most interested in and not her as a person.
Kate and her Aunt are not likable women but they are definitely interesting characters. I am anxious to see what happens with the Dr. and Susan Shepherd. Densher must truly be head over heels for Kate for him to follow along with her plans. She is weaving a web of deception, perhaps the only one she is honest with is herself, or is she?
You may already be finished, if so, sorry. I will really work on finishing this week.
Jan 30, 2009
Jan 13, 2009
Truckin'
I don't know about you, but once I got past the language usage the story became more interesting? I'm just not used to the round-a-bout way James explains things. I am at Chapter 20.
1. Lord Mark is an interesting character- you're right. I personally think he likes Milly. :) It seems that he is meant for Kate though.
2. I see what you mean about Kate being the one with connections and Milly being the one with nothing. Perhaps you could look at it from both perspectives- the girls are more similar then they are dissimilar. That is why I'm glad you are reading with me, because we aren't always going to take away the same things. :) Her illness sounds very serious. The way Kate describes her condition to Densher seems almost comical.
3. Yes, as far as I can remember- that is exactly how Aunt Maud came "into" her money.
4. Coming up- I don't want to spoil it, if you haven't gotten there yet... Aunt Maud makes a very interesting comment to Densher about her comments to Milly concerning the relationship.
5. I was confused the entire time I was listening to the doctor visit. I really have no idea what is going on with that.
6. The feeling I get from Densher and Kate is always changing. One minute I think they are truly in love and other times I get the feeling it is just an infatuation. I really want them to get together in the end, but I don't want them to do it in a way that could damage Milly. She seems incredibly fragile.
I like Densher, he is genuine (he is in love and being a man- this obstructs his good sense). I also really like Milly (more than I like Kate). She represents a strong, intelligent, and also insecure woman. Money can't buy everything, especially health and peace. What about you? Could the older ladies be reflections of the girls in some way? A look into the future? I will try to finish by the end of the month, I think it is a good goal since I started this book like four months ago. I ordered Absalom, Absalom and it hasn't arrived yet.
1. Lord Mark is an interesting character- you're right. I personally think he likes Milly. :) It seems that he is meant for Kate though.
2. I see what you mean about Kate being the one with connections and Milly being the one with nothing. Perhaps you could look at it from both perspectives- the girls are more similar then they are dissimilar. That is why I'm glad you are reading with me, because we aren't always going to take away the same things. :) Her illness sounds very serious. The way Kate describes her condition to Densher seems almost comical.
3. Yes, as far as I can remember- that is exactly how Aunt Maud came "into" her money.
4. Coming up- I don't want to spoil it, if you haven't gotten there yet... Aunt Maud makes a very interesting comment to Densher about her comments to Milly concerning the relationship.
5. I was confused the entire time I was listening to the doctor visit. I really have no idea what is going on with that.
6. The feeling I get from Densher and Kate is always changing. One minute I think they are truly in love and other times I get the feeling it is just an infatuation. I really want them to get together in the end, but I don't want them to do it in a way that could damage Milly. She seems incredibly fragile.
I like Densher, he is genuine (he is in love and being a man- this obstructs his good sense). I also really like Milly (more than I like Kate). She represents a strong, intelligent, and also insecure woman. Money can't buy everything, especially health and peace. What about you? Could the older ladies be reflections of the girls in some way? A look into the future? I will try to finish by the end of the month, I think it is a good goal since I started this book like four months ago. I ordered Absalom, Absalom and it hasn't arrived yet.
Jan 5, 2009
Continuing on...
Lindsey,
I have been working on the book for the past few days and have found it does pique my interest a little more than at the beginning. I do have many more questions now that are starting to be answered as the story unfolds and becomes a little more twisted. I just completed Volume 1, Book 5th.
1. The comment that Lord Mark made at Aunt Maud's dinner party that no one does anything for free I believe this helps set up the story. What is his part going to be in the story? Is he going to get together with Kate or Milly?
2. Kate's beauty is mentioned and esteemed by all, especially Milly. Kate has family to fall back on if her Aunt decides that she is through with her, even if they are not the most desirable kin. Milly really is the one who has nothing, no real friends or family connections since they have all died. Even if she has money and Mrs. Stringham, why doesn't she have any other connections in the U.S.? Has she been ill long and therefore out of society?
3. Do you recall how Aunt Maud got her money? Did she marry well and then become a widow?
4. The mystery of Mr. Densher and how Milly and Mrs Stringham are not supposed to mention knowing him to Kate seems to really show Mrs. Lauder as manipulative. Why wouldn't she want it mentioned? It's just to control and manipulate the situation in my opinion, not truly out of caring.
5. What is the doctors real interest in Milly? Is she going to be okay or is he telling her to live while she can?
6. As far as the relationship between Kate and Densher, it was my understanding that they truly loved one another but neither of them wanted it to be revealed to Mrs. Lauder so that they can take from her whatever they could. Both Kate and Densher know that they are being played but because they both hope to gain financially they are willing to wait.
7. The point at which Mrs. Lauder asks Milly to ask Kate about Mr. Densher and if he is back in town to me shows that she set her up for a test. Milly didn't do as she was asked and further spoke to Kate about Lord Mark and never mentions Densher.
I just got past the scene in which Milly runs into Kate and Densher at the museum and they all have to act cordially to one another. Now the secret is out, Milly knows Densher. It seems like Milly believes what Mrs. Lauder told her about the relationship, that Kate is not in love with him.
Do you like any of the characters yet? Is Kate the likable one or is it Milly? I feel like Mrs. Lauder and Mrs. Stringham are sort of playing show and tell and that the young women are the objects that they are showing off. Neither of them have their own children? Are they trying to live vicariously through the girls?
I don't want to leave you hanging on the reading of this book. My goal is to have it completed by the end of the month, I will have about 30 minutes to listen Monday-Friday while communting back and forth to school plus there will be time before I pick up the carpool. Why don't you let me know what pace works best for you.
I have another book I am also listening to right now, "I Feel Bad About my Neck" by Nora Ephrom. It is a collection of essays which are random rants about life and being a woman. She is very clever and holds nothing back; she is the author of "When Harry Met Sally". I will say that this is much easier to get into in comparison to the Wings of the Dove.
I have been working on the book for the past few days and have found it does pique my interest a little more than at the beginning. I do have many more questions now that are starting to be answered as the story unfolds and becomes a little more twisted. I just completed Volume 1, Book 5th.
1. The comment that Lord Mark made at Aunt Maud's dinner party that no one does anything for free I believe this helps set up the story. What is his part going to be in the story? Is he going to get together with Kate or Milly?
2. Kate's beauty is mentioned and esteemed by all, especially Milly. Kate has family to fall back on if her Aunt decides that she is through with her, even if they are not the most desirable kin. Milly really is the one who has nothing, no real friends or family connections since they have all died. Even if she has money and Mrs. Stringham, why doesn't she have any other connections in the U.S.? Has she been ill long and therefore out of society?
3. Do you recall how Aunt Maud got her money? Did she marry well and then become a widow?
4. The mystery of Mr. Densher and how Milly and Mrs Stringham are not supposed to mention knowing him to Kate seems to really show Mrs. Lauder as manipulative. Why wouldn't she want it mentioned? It's just to control and manipulate the situation in my opinion, not truly out of caring.
5. What is the doctors real interest in Milly? Is she going to be okay or is he telling her to live while she can?
6. As far as the relationship between Kate and Densher, it was my understanding that they truly loved one another but neither of them wanted it to be revealed to Mrs. Lauder so that they can take from her whatever they could. Both Kate and Densher know that they are being played but because they both hope to gain financially they are willing to wait.
7. The point at which Mrs. Lauder asks Milly to ask Kate about Mr. Densher and if he is back in town to me shows that she set her up for a test. Milly didn't do as she was asked and further spoke to Kate about Lord Mark and never mentions Densher.
I just got past the scene in which Milly runs into Kate and Densher at the museum and they all have to act cordially to one another. Now the secret is out, Milly knows Densher. It seems like Milly believes what Mrs. Lauder told her about the relationship, that Kate is not in love with him.
Do you like any of the characters yet? Is Kate the likable one or is it Milly? I feel like Mrs. Lauder and Mrs. Stringham are sort of playing show and tell and that the young women are the objects that they are showing off. Neither of them have their own children? Are they trying to live vicariously through the girls?
I don't want to leave you hanging on the reading of this book. My goal is to have it completed by the end of the month, I will have about 30 minutes to listen Monday-Friday while communting back and forth to school plus there will be time before I pick up the carpool. Why don't you let me know what pace works best for you.
I have another book I am also listening to right now, "I Feel Bad About my Neck" by Nora Ephrom. It is a collection of essays which are random rants about life and being a woman. She is very clever and holds nothing back; she is the author of "When Harry Met Sally". I will say that this is much easier to get into in comparison to the Wings of the Dove.
Not Giving Up.
Is this book tedious and boring, or is it just me? The thing is- I know there are good books on this list, I've read some of them!! I'm still waiting to read a book from this "top" list that I can't put down and think to myself the entire time I'm reading it: WOW! Wings of the Dove is not that book. However, I have a hard time giving up on it because, I have already invested so much time in it and I'm halfway done. It certainly helps being able to listen to it while I'm doing other things.
Just a few things:
1. Milly appears to have a deep admiration (is that the right word?) for Kate. While Kate has nothing to "offer"- Milly still longs to be her. Is this due to Kate's beauty, good health, or her being English? It is funny to think that the girl who has lots of money and connections should want to be the girl who is stuck in an unfavorable situation with no family or friends to speak of. The grass is always greener, right?
2. Did I understand correctly when I read about Aunt Maud liking Densher she just doesn't think that Kate is really in love with him? That DOES make sense though. I'm not sure that Kate can ever be in love with anyone aside from herself. Poor Densher, poor any man that falls in love with Kate.
3. I'm confused about the doctor visit, but I get the feeling that Milly isn't doing well and is on the verge of dying. Sad.
Just a few things:
1. Milly appears to have a deep admiration (is that the right word?) for Kate. While Kate has nothing to "offer"- Milly still longs to be her. Is this due to Kate's beauty, good health, or her being English? It is funny to think that the girl who has lots of money and connections should want to be the girl who is stuck in an unfavorable situation with no family or friends to speak of. The grass is always greener, right?
2. Did I understand correctly when I read about Aunt Maud liking Densher she just doesn't think that Kate is really in love with him? That DOES make sense though. I'm not sure that Kate can ever be in love with anyone aside from herself. Poor Densher, poor any man that falls in love with Kate.
3. I'm confused about the doctor visit, but I get the feeling that Milly isn't doing well and is on the verge of dying. Sad.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)