regshoe: Close-up of a grey heron, its beak open as if laughing (Heron 2)
regshoe ([personal profile] regshoe) wrote2021-10-09 05:59 pm

Flight of the Heron read-along: Part I chapters 3-4

I have just finished reading a Mary Renault novel and feel, predictably, absolutely awful about it. Time to distract myself with some Jacobites!

Next week we'll finish Part I with chapters 5 and 6.
luzula: a Luzula pilosa, or hairy wood-rush (Default)

[personal profile] luzula 2021-10-09 08:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Ha, Keith is grouchy again in the beginning of chapter 3! I continue to love his back-and-forth interplay with Ewen in these chapters--outrage over being attacked at Slochd nan Eun, then this turns to generous forgiveness when he sees Ewen's reaction. And the kilt comment, heh! He keeps noticing that kilt, too.

But one of my favorite lines is when he resolves not to tease Ewen anymore, and the omniscient narrator notes "But he was not to keep this resolution." Great use of omniscient narrator! And indeed by the end of the chapter he's back to teasing Ewen...it seems he can't help it. *g*

I appreciate seeing more of Aunt Margaret's sense of humor, and her and Alison interacting. I do wonder what on earth that comment about Ewen keeping secrets from her is about? From a writing POV, maybe it's just to bring the conversation around so that Alison can say that line about how she might never be a wife at all? I can't think of any in-universe reason for it...

At this point it's almost like Alison is paying more attention to Keith, his character, and motivations than Ewen is. Of course, Ewen is very busy. I do like his comment about how he can't quite make Keith out. No wonder, with how confused Keith himself is by his reactions to Ewen!

In other news, you might enjoy this write-up I did of the '45 and its historical background for a bunch of 18th century history nerds.
sanguinity: woodcut by M.C. Escher, "Snakes" (Default)

[personal profile] sanguinity 2021-10-09 09:42 pm (UTC)(link)
First time read, so I don't know what's coming, but the bit where Ewen assumes Lachlan couldn't possibly have harmed the heron -- because Ewen said not to! -- thereby stubbornly disregarding the BLATANT fact that mere hours beforehand Lachlan had threatened Keith's life after being explicitly told not to...

I can't help but think that this is foreshadowing for some coming major betrayal from Lachlan. One almost certainly made to protect Ewen, if I were to guess, but one which Ewen would strenuously object to.


And like others, I laughed to see Keith admiring Ewen in a kilt -- and perhaps swooned a little at:

“Captain Windham, are you hurt? God forgive me, what have they been doing? Tied!” And in a moment he had snatched a little knife out of his stocking and was cutting Keith’s bonds. “Oh, why did I let you out of my sight! For God’s sake tell me that you are not injured!”

...because I will always be a sucker for a frantic "say you're not hurt!" Even when they've only known each other for less than a day.
tei: Rabbit from the Garden of Earthly Delights (Default)

[personal profile] tei 2021-10-10 04:41 pm (UTC)(link)
“He was wearing the kilt to-day, and for the first time Keith Windham thought that there was something to be said for that article of attire— at least on a man of his proportions.” o.O SUBTLE.

The entire incident with Keith nearly being drowned made me very curious about… the cultural context for this thing of “I am keeping a prisoner in my house, family, please be nice to him.” Is this… a Done Thing? Why is Keith here? I’m assuming that killing him outright would have been too agressive for the stage of the war they were in…? But then, Keith’s regiment certainly didn’t seem to have any doubts that the Highlanders would kill them if they tried to cross the bridge, back when they thought there were enough of them to actually do so.

The tension between the prophecy aspect of the narrative and the resistance to it is very interesting!
friendofthejabberwock: two screencaps: Data and Spock holding cats (Default)

[personal profile] friendofthejabberwock 2021-10-10 05:17 pm (UTC)(link)
My reaction to these couple of chapters has mostly consisted of continuing to love Keith's narration. The irritation, the snark, the genuinely-seeming-to-like-Ewen is just wonderful. I am also glad that Keith can appreciate a kilt when Ewen's wearing one, at least (not to have my slash brain kick into overdrive too much, but...)

That's a good point that Keith is so unbothered by any questions of personal safety! During the incident with the loch it was so completely unaddressed that I didn't actually even really note its absence. He obviously wouldn't want to show any fear to Lachlan & Co., but that being a genuine reflection of his internal state as well is impressive. It does track with what else we've seen. During his capture he was mostly annoyed with the general concept of supposed Highland savagery, rather than worried it might have consequences for his own safety. It also seems to apply to others to a certain extent -- unless I've forgotten it, he doesn't seem to have expressed much concern for the wellbeing of his fellow captured soldiers.

I like that Keith was less surprised by Ewen being exceedingly gentlemanly this time. They're getting to know each other. :D

(And wow, I am acquiring quite the reading list for nonfiction about the period now. Thanks for the historical notes!)
cahn: (Default)

[personal profile] cahn 2021-10-13 04:27 am (UTC)(link)
Late to the read, but I finally finished Ch 4 today :D Thank you [personal profile] luzula for elucidating all the Jacobite history; that really made it make a lot more sense :D

I'm really enjoying it -- I liked Margaret a lot! (And of course the main two are lovely <3 )

One thing that sort of pinged me was when Ewen was all "Ha ha how funny that Angus never saw Alison as my bride!" Don't spoil me of course, but I feel like this is Ominous Foreshadowing... we shall see!
impala_chick: (Default)

[personal profile] impala_chick 2021-10-14 03:40 am (UTC)(link)
Okay I am getting serious soulmate/red string of fate vibes... The narrator keeps pointing out how connected they are, even through Alison and Aunt Margaret's reflections. I also feel like I got a little lost when the women were talking about the political implications and Prince Charles, which makes me want to do a bit of research.

I liked the whole bit about the buttons as a peace offering (and how the women were approached to be the ones to broach the subject) - It makes me think Ewen does not have perfect control over his merry band of misfits and maybe Aunt Margaret is going to do a bit more than just hope and pray. Interesting to contrast Ewen's reaction to the prophecy with Alison's total buy-in/worry over it.
hedgebird: (Default)

[personal profile] hedgebird 2021-10-14 08:22 pm (UTC)(link)
Lachlan's most excitingly unstable moments yet! I think it's interesting how, for all Lachlan's ride-or-die feelings about Ewen, Ewen's values haven't really rubbed off on him? I assume there's a significant difference in education, but also: Lachlan you're a psycho.

Love Angus spacing out in the background, all, "Do I need to intervene here? Nah, Fate'll take care of it."