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regshoeBetter loved ye cannae be...
The final chapter.
I'm planning to do a sort of wrap-up post in a couple of days' time for any last thoughts, and to recommend some Flight of the Heron fic and some other books that may be of interest. I will say goodbye and thank you properly then!
The final chapter.
I'm planning to do a sort of wrap-up post in a couple of days' time for any last thoughts, and to recommend some Flight of the Heron fic and some other books that may be of interest. I will say goodbye and thank you properly then!
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Date: Jan. 15th, 2022 08:11 pm (UTC)I was thinking what an irony it was that this is the second time Keith is looking for the Prince and gets Ewen instead--the first time as farce, the second as tragedy--but then Keith himself has this exact thought.
The line about 'a species of bondage', aaaaah!
In actual history, when the Prince leaves Scotland it's with a party of almost 200, so they could easily have defeated Keith's spread-out little forces.
I find it chilling that Lachlan comes after Keith just after Keith has said 'God help me!', as if Lachlan is God's answer to Keith's dilemma!
This is so romantic, and echoes the moment when Ewen finds himself in Keith's arms before the firing squad: As he was lifted, Keith came back from a moment’s dream of a shore with long green rollers roaring loudly under a blood-red sunset, to pain and difficult breath and Ewen’s arms. He knew him.
The brandy, Ewen, as though that is going to help...
Okay, those are my random thoughts. But as a whole, the end of the chapter still makes me cry, even though I've read it multiple times by now. Gah. It's tragic, but also beautifully written in a way that makes sense and meaning out of Keith's death: that Ewen gave him someone to live and die for. In a meta sense I might resent that Keith and Ewen aren't allowed a happy ending whereas Ewen and Alison are, but I also genuinely do relish the meaningful tragedy of the ending that we get. And of course, this is only one possibility and we can write all the happy endings we want and they are as real as this.
I think Alison's worry and hope in the epilogue is beautifully written, too, especially the way she turns back down the stairs because she can't bear to immediately open the door because it might not be Ewen. The only thing I don't like about the epilogue is Ewen's comment about women and food! I'm thinking you're going to be glad of some good food, Ewen. But their relief and joy at finally meeting again, at the same time as Ewen can't bear to share his memories of Keith yet...yeah, that rings true to me.
(I still remember my proof listener at Librivox. When she commented on the next-to-last section, there was no reaction aside from that it was technically fine. When she commented on the last section, here is what she said: "Yay for happy endings :) So that's a wrap! Congratulations on a fine audiobook!" WHAT ON EARTH.)
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Date: Jan. 15th, 2022 08:28 pm (UTC)OH MY FUCKING GOD WHAT
as if Lachlan is God's answer to Keith's dilemma!
Well, FUCK.
(Sorry, I seem to have nothing but profanity in me!)
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Date: Jan. 16th, 2022 03:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: Jan. 15th, 2022 08:45 pm (UTC)Huh, that's a good point!
I find it chilling that Lachlan comes after Keith just after Keith has said 'God help me!', as if Lachlan is God's answer to Keith's dilemma!
Oh noooooooo...!
It's tragic, but also beautifully written in a way that makes sense and meaning out of Keith's death
Aww, you're absolutely right. Yes, I also feel that resentment to an extent, but I also think there's something tremendously powerful in the weight of the tragedy—the sense that, while they don't 'get' a happy ending, this is what really matters and what is really meaningful.
And of course, this is only one possibility and we can write all the happy endings we want and they are as real as this.
Very true :)
I also like the detail of Alison returning down the stairs for her basket—I've done very similar things when expecting bad news!
I remember that proof-listener! I can only assume they were doing such a good job at technical proof-listening they remained totally unaware of the actual story, or something.
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Date: Jan. 15th, 2022 08:46 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: Jan. 15th, 2022 09:16 pm (UTC)It is chilling - but I also find it comforting. Keith himself seems to find it a relief.
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Date: Jan. 16th, 2022 02:42 am (UTC)Oh, I didn't notice that! It is chilling... Keith calls on God for help and this is the best that God can do for him.
Ewen is going to eat his words about women and food when he finally shuts up and eats the food that Alison prepares for him. I predict he will suddenly realize that he's famished (probably hasn't eaten properly for days in between the ocean voyage/his grief over Keith) and eat up practically everything in the house.