At this point in the story, I don't trust Grace. I don't like her either. In some respects, I believe she is the naive and spoiled widow she acts as outwardly. On the other hand, I just get this feeling that she knows more than she's letting on, and something is up. Maybe that inclination comes from the fact that we know she's on trial for murder, although we don't know yet who she stands accused of killing.
I am having a hard time understanding her behavior though and can't seem to connect to her character, which may be one of the reasons I don't love the book at this point. For example, I can't believe she was so nice to Mrs. Fleming who was outwardly blaming her for the death of her daughter in the whole life boat fiasco. Maybe she knew she was guilty and that's why she was so nice, but I can't imagine anyone in that situation staying so calm about it. Thoughts?
My other issue with the book so far.... The Titanic. I know, I know they keep telling us this ISN'T about the Titanic, but maybe that's the problem? If the narrative has to remind us that this is not, in fact, about the Titanic, perhaps it's because the author knows the story (first class versus lower class, only the rich people live, you have to be cruel to survive) is a bit clichéd.
I don't mean to be so down on the book, because I am still interested to see where this is going to go, but I don't find myself rooting for anyone right now. I hardly believe that Charlotte Rogan tried to write a book about a lifeboat where the reader does not care whether the occupants of said boat live or die. Maybe I'll become more attached to some of the characters in Part 2.
Erin I am agreeing with you on all your points. I also cannot stop thinking its the Titantic and find it bizarre that it keeps coming up as well. Talking about how quickly they got rescued, Hardie discussing how they changed the transatlantic sea routes so icebergs don't take down ocean liners. I did enjoy the fact that they were going to name one of the ships the Gigantic. How freaking gauche.
On your other point of disliking Grace, I feel the same way. I couldn't pinpoint any direct reasons until recently. What a stalker she was finding Henry. Knew he was engaged, used to wait around and stare at him and then pretended she had never seen him, blah blah blah what a creep. In addition I think it is strange how calm she tells this story without ever an allowance of letting herself lose it a bit. Maybe this is her interpretation and that beings me back to something I hated discovering in English class: you cannot always trust your narrator. I am keeping this close as I read.
My final note is a passage that happens right before Part 4 ends. It is when Grace is addressing memory vs. recollection. Aristotle is quoted as saying recollecting is what clever people are good at, yet everyone has a memory/ memories. The present has no memories. They say recollecting uses mnemonic devices. What did you guys think of this part?
Yay, I love coming on here to see what other people said about what I just finished reading!
So, I totally agree about our disconnect with Grace. She's not getting upset about being unwelcome on the boat. She's oddly calm the entire time. She really goes out of her way to say that SHE was the one who said something in order for Rebecca to be rescued when she fell into the waters. The fact that we know this whole book is a "recollection," and "clever" people are the ones who can recall, I just feel like Grace is crafting the whole story to her advantage.
Also, does she really care about Henry? Sure, she keeps saying that she's hopeful he's out there somewhere but shouldn't she be just a little more emotional and worried about him?
So, I agree on all counts so far that I'm not LOVING this book, but I also feel like Charlotte Rogan has some twists ahead because I just don't see how the whole book can continue like this.
I'm not connecting with Grace, both because she doesn't seem emotionally invested in Henry or the serious predicament they're in, and because she spends most of her narrative talking about the rest of the passengers and not her own feelings.
Like you've said, Grace's recollection is for the case, so she could obviously be making it up as she goes along. While it would be a totally different story, I can't help but wish that she had kept a diary while on the boat, not written it afterwards, because it makes it hard to trust her. But maybe that's the whole idea.
I just started Part II so you may all be way ahead of me, but I am seriously just waiting for people to start going crazy and eating each other. Off base? I hope not ;)
I am on THE SAME PAGE as y'all. It's amazing how much I don't care for/About anything Grace says or does. She's the ultimate phony. Like she is basically a phony who finds herself so much more superior than the other women on the boat. Also there is this interesting dynamic on the boat of those who are helpful and those who are just adding to the problems on the boat. I feel like the Predictable plot will end up revealing some conspiracy to steal the gold, her husband was in on it--- blah blah. We'll see. I agree with the titanic-esque nature of the story. I keep waiting to hear about a person floating by on a door or something. I am curious to see how it all unfolds.
5 comments:
At this point in the story, I don't trust Grace. I don't like her either. In some respects, I believe she is the naive and spoiled widow she acts as outwardly. On the other hand, I just get this feeling that she knows more than she's letting on, and something is up. Maybe that inclination comes from the fact that we know she's on trial for murder, although we don't know yet who she stands accused of killing.
I am having a hard time understanding her behavior though and can't seem to connect to her character, which may be one of the reasons I don't love the book at this point. For example, I can't believe she was so nice to Mrs. Fleming who was outwardly blaming her for the death of her daughter in the whole life boat fiasco. Maybe she knew she was guilty and that's why she was so nice, but I can't imagine anyone in that situation staying so calm about it. Thoughts?
My other issue with the book so far.... The Titanic. I know, I know they keep telling us this ISN'T about the Titanic, but maybe that's the problem? If the narrative has to remind us that this is not, in fact, about the Titanic, perhaps it's because the author knows the story (first class versus lower class, only the rich people live, you have to be cruel to survive) is a bit clichéd.
I don't mean to be so down on the book, because I am still interested to see where this is going to go, but I don't find myself rooting for anyone right now. I hardly believe that Charlotte Rogan tried to write a book about a lifeboat where the reader does not care whether the occupants of said boat live or die. Maybe I'll become more attached to some of the characters in Part 2.
Is anyone else struggling to care?
Erin I am agreeing with you on all your points. I also cannot stop thinking its the Titantic and find it bizarre that it keeps coming up as well. Talking about how quickly they got rescued, Hardie discussing how they changed the transatlantic sea routes so icebergs don't take down ocean liners. I did enjoy the fact that they were going to name one of the ships the Gigantic. How freaking gauche.
On your other point of disliking Grace, I feel the same way. I couldn't pinpoint any direct reasons until recently. What a stalker she was finding Henry. Knew he was engaged, used to wait around and stare at him and then pretended she had never seen him, blah blah blah what a creep. In addition I think it is strange how calm she tells this story without ever an allowance of letting herself lose it a bit. Maybe this is her interpretation and that beings me back to something I hated discovering in English class: you cannot always trust your narrator. I am keeping this close as I read.
My final note is a passage that happens right before Part 4 ends. It is when Grace is addressing memory vs. recollection. Aristotle is quoted as saying recollecting is what clever people are good at, yet everyone has a memory/ memories. The present has no memories. They say recollecting uses mnemonic devices. What did you guys think of this part?
My first entry! Health in 2013!
Yay, I love coming on here to see what other people said about what I just finished reading!
So, I totally agree about our disconnect with Grace. She's not getting upset about being unwelcome on the boat. She's oddly calm the entire time. She really goes out of her way to say that SHE was the one who said something in order for Rebecca to be rescued when she fell into the waters. The fact that we know this whole book is a "recollection," and "clever" people are the ones who can recall, I just feel like Grace is crafting the whole story to her advantage.
Also, does she really care about Henry? Sure, she keeps saying that she's hopeful he's out there somewhere but shouldn't she be just a little more emotional and worried about him?
So, I agree on all counts so far that I'm not LOVING this book, but I also feel like Charlotte Rogan has some twists ahead because I just don't see how the whole book can continue like this.
I totally agree.
I'm not connecting with Grace, both because she doesn't seem emotionally invested in Henry or the serious predicament they're in, and because she spends most of her narrative talking about the rest of the passengers and not her own feelings.
Like you've said, Grace's recollection is for the case, so she could obviously be making it up as she goes along. While it would be a totally different story, I can't help but wish that she had kept a diary while on the boat, not written it afterwards, because it makes it hard to trust her. But maybe that's the whole idea.
I just started Part II so you may all be way ahead of me, but I am seriously just waiting for people to start going crazy and eating each other. Off base? I hope not ;)
I am on THE SAME PAGE as y'all. It's amazing how much I don't care for/About anything Grace says or does. She's the ultimate phony. Like she is basically a phony who finds herself so much more superior than the other women on the boat. Also there is this interesting dynamic on the boat of those who are helpful and those who are just adding to the problems on the boat. I feel like the Predictable plot will end up revealing some conspiracy to steal the gold, her husband was in on it--- blah blah. We'll see. I agree with the titanic-esque nature of the story. I keep waiting to hear about a person floating by on a door or something. I am curious to see how it all unfolds.
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