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

[regshoe]

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.

Comments

[luzula]

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]

Thank you for the link to that write-up! I've had nothing in the way of formal education about this period, and very little in the way of cultural osmosis, either, so I'm very glad of your walking us through it, thank you.

[luzula]

Glad it was helpful! : D

[regshoe]

Hehe, that's very true—keep watching the kilt swinging about Ewen's knees, Keith...

"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*

:D

I think Aunt Margaret is inclined to be a bit indulgently sentimental about Alison and Ewen's relationship (which is kind of sad, in the context of what we immediately afterwards learn about her backstory), so her making the question of secrets about that kind of makes sense? But it is a bit of a random segue.

Ooh, thank you for that write-up!