I am so behind, it isn’t even funny. Here is my (pathetic) part of the second discussion. Luckily, I have now finished the book, so I am more than ready to wrap it up Monday. Whew!
1. The title of this book is The Lantern, and a lantern makes an appearance in both of the stories. In Benedicte’s past, it had a meaning, but what do you think the lantern signifies in her future and in Eve’s story?
I feel like I’m cheating, or rather, can’t answer this question, since I just finished the book and know what happened. I CAN say at the time I read this, it felt obvious that it was supposed to seem like a ghost had left it there, or some other unexplained phenomenon. And perhaps it was, since there is really no clear-cut THIS IS WHAT IT IS answer.
2. Carl mentioned scents in last weeks questions, but they have been addressed even more in these sections. What significance do you think scents have in this story overall?
Scents means so much in this story. It’s tied up memories, in livelihoods, in life and more. Like all our senses, scent makes an impression on everything that happens in our lives. There are things you can’t smell and not remember something, be it vanilla for cakes, candles for birthdays, the spicy cologne of a favorite uncle or a whiff of tobacco for a grandfather. I love the way Lawrenson plays with this, as it is something I have always been conscious of.
3. What do you think of the combining storyline of Marthe? She connects Benedicte, Eve, and Rachel. What do you think will be revealed about this connection in the next sections?
I really can’t answer this, since I’ve finished the book! At the time of reading, I could tell she was going to bring it all together, but I wasn’t really sure how!
4. Now that things are beginning to move along, what do you think of the characters? Are any standing out for you? Do you particularly like any? Dislike any?
I’m trying to remember back to this…. One thing that was bugging me; what is Eve’s real name?!??! And Sabine, that woman seemed fishy. And of course Dom. I had no clue what was going on with him, but I knew I didn’t like it.
5. What do you think really happened to Marthe and Annette? What do you think the significance of the bones in the pool are to the story? Especially now that it has been revealed that Rachel is also dead.
Well, it seemed pretty obvious to me who was who. That wasn’t a big surprise.
6. Do you have any other things you think are significant to talk about? Are there any other predictions to be made for the last two sections of the book?
As I’ve finished, I guess I can’t really predict anything!
7. Lastly, what do you think of this book overall? Other than for the read-along, why are you reading it? Is it meeting your expectations?
I am/was really enjoying the book. I wanted to read it for RIP and when Carl suggested the read-along I was all for it. It didn’t quite meet my expectations, which really were unreasonable, as I was hoping for another experience like the one The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters gave me last year. That was unfair to Lawrenson, but there it is!
Join me Monday for the last bit of discussion of The Lantern. Here are my earlier thoughts on this book.
I don’t think Eve ever gave her name…like the narrator in Rebecca. At least that’s what I keep telling myself.