Weave

I thought he was quite vague about Rebecca too Maureen, the general feeling was, 'she's there', I think in some ways Clare got what she wanted, someone to give her a baby and Jonathan being the father figure, he did played with her, teach her, cherished her, everything a Dad would do. I think Bobby failed too but he seemed to have made his peace with it, I know this sounds so obtuse but it was like he had done his job, even though Rebecca was unexpected for him, it seemed like he had done his part. I have really enjoyed myself discussing the book with you all.

9. What role does Erich play in the character’s lives? In what ways do you think he is a catalyst for change? Discuss the significance of death in the novel. I think Erich's role in the book was to help the characters to look at themselves and I think unfortunately the catalyst was his illness. I felt that the presence of Erich was one of the reasons why Clare left, I got the impression that she did not want Rebecca to be faced with Erich's illness, while at the same time, the presence of Rebecca helped Erich in a positive way I thought. With Jonathan, I could be wrong but I felt that he wanted to give Erich some form of relationship because he and Erich did not have one, they could have had one if they had both taken a chance. With Bobby, Erich was someone that he could help, support and keep safe, he barely knew Erich (the only thing they had in common was their love of music) but he took him into his home and took care of him, at the end of the book when Jonathan takes Erich into the water, Bobby concerns (and fears) show because he is thinking of Erich's health and reminded of the time Jonathan jumped into the water when they were children.

What a fab photo of the gang Univerze Fay is so petite!, all of your pets are gorgeous My wee Quinn (the photos are not the best quality) ~ ^'These are mines!' 'See ya!' What a fab photo Cookie, its like Minx is saying 'heeeyy'

Thanks Frankie

'The Sun Also Rises' sounds good Frankie, I have only read 'The Old Man and the Sea' by Ernest Hemingway, which I enjoyed, I would to read more stuff by him, and this sounds like a good starting point.

Well done hen

It would have been nice if loved Clare in the way she wanted him too but he did love her and with the birth of Rebecca, there was the feeling of a new start for them, I found with Rebecca, Jonathan was different, he was so concious of his emotions, before Rebecca, he tended to hide how he felt but he opened himself out to Rebecca.

That is really insightful Maureen, well done

Frasier

Great point Frankie, it surprised me when she showed Alice comfort because she had pretty much decided that she did not like Alice but it was definitely an outlet for her.

The Baby Born in a Concentration Camp

^I got that impression too Maureen, that he had no sexual interest at all in Clare, he was like a sister to her, Clare knew that they would never sleep together, but she still secretly hoped that Rebecca would be his daughter because she wanted all of his qualities to be part of her but I think if given the chance, Jonathan would have been a influence on Rebecca's life.

5. Each chapter is narrated by a different 'main' character. Did that work in your opinion? ~ I liked that the chapters were told by a different main character because you got to know the character better and their mindset, I particularly enjoyed Bobby's point of view, for me, he was so contented and happy, and expressed love in so many ways, especially with Erich, when he wants to get into bed with Erich, to make Eric feel better, to feel a connection, I thought was very sweet and kind. 6. What do you think of the descriptions by the author? I am in two minds about it to be honest, at some points, his descriptions where spot on about the characters, and then sometimes, he wandered off subject. 7. Did you enjoy the book? Will you be reading any more books by Michael Cunningham? I enjoyed it and I am glad I read it. I really liked Bobby, Jonathan and Alice because they were strong characters in their own way, and I liked how Jonathan faces certain aspects of his life his Dad's illness was a key part for Jonathan and it helped him to face his own mortality. I respected Alice too, she was unhappy in her marriage, as was her husband, and he hid at his cinema, while she hid at home, she did try to make things better and despite her thoughts on leaving her husband, she never did. I respected how much change she made in her life and her strength of character. I think I will read books by Michael Cunningham, he is an insightful writer. 8. Do you think Jonathan, Bobby and Clare’s attempt to redefine family succeeded or failed? Why? What do you think defines a family?What do you think the novel is ultimately saying about family? There are so many things that define a family, I have friends which are like family to me, I think a family is about love, loving and caring for each other and I think Jonathan, Bobby and Clare achieved that despite Clare's thoughts on it and eventually leaving, which I thought was unfair on Rebecca because Clare felt that it would be strange for Rebecca, it may have been but they would have coped as a family to help her get through it. I think the novel is saying that family is what you make of it, how you nurture it, etc. One more question to be answered. I have enjoyed reading all of your thoughts.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Its so funny

I hope you get 'City of Fallen Angels' for your weekend hen, I am still reading 'City of Bones'

Will do

My copy arrived this morning!

My copy has arrived! Thanks again Charm

I am enjoying 'City of Bones' (The Mortal Instruments ~ Book 1) by Cassandra Clare And I bought today ~ The Hare With Amber Eyes: A Hidden Inheritance by Edmund de Waal After the Party by Lisa Jewell

A nice cup of tea

Sorry everyone, the rest of my answers are coming I'm not a fan of Claire either, I found her quite mean sometimes and in my mind she put Bobby and Jonathan down a lot, like they should be over the moon that she was in fact their friend.

Hi Habeebi, how are you? I didn't realise about the earlier film either, I would like to see it at some point, I enjoyed 'I am Legend', it wasn't true to the book but it had its moment and I'm glad they didn't keep the original hollywood ending Thanks Ben, I think you would enjoy them.

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan ~ Started: 08.04.11 ~ Finished: 10.04.11 Synopsis ~ In Mary's world there are simple truths. The Sisterhood always knows best. The Guardians will protect and serve. The Unconsecrated will never relent. And you must always mind the fence that surrounds the village; the fence that protects the village from the Forest of Hands and Teeth. But, slowly, Mary's truths are failing her. She's learning things she never wanted to know about the Sisterhood and its secrets, and the Guardians and their power, and about the Unconsecrated and their relentlessness. When the fence is breached and her world is thrown into chaos, she must choose between her village and her future - between the one she loves and the one who loves her. And she must face the truth about the Forest of Hands and Teeth. Could there be life outside a world surrounded in so much death? The Story ~ 'The Forest of Hands and Teeth' is the first book in 'The Forest of Hands and Teeth' series. 'The Forest of Hands and Teeth' is the story of Mary, a young girl who lives in a village surrounded by fences and a forest where 'The Unconsecrated' roam, the undead from The Return that happened before Mary was born. The villagers and Mary live in fear of a breach of the fences and believe all that the Sisters tell them, 'The Unconsecrated' have been cursed by God and anyone who ventures outside the fence face the same fate, the only way through the forest is gated pathways, no one knows where they lead because they are forbidden to enter by The Sisters and patrolled by the Guardians. Mary, who has always been inquisitive, finds out in the worst possible way the effects of the Unconsecrated and is left alone to cope with her grief, all she has is the love for her friend, Travis, who has been promised to someone else and her need to leave the village, to find something more, to build a life without the Unconsecrated. What I thought of 'The Forest of Hands and Teeth' ~ This is my second time reading 'The Forest of Hands and Teeth' and it was just as good as the first time I read it, its a zombie story that does not solely concentrate on the zombies, it explores the lives of the people who keep themselves trapped to stay safe from what they fear but do not fully understand, so much has been kept secret from them and as you read the book, you want to find out what caused the Return. 'The Forest of Hands and Teeth' is a exciting read, with twists and turns to keep you interested. Mary is a strong character and I liked how much she fought throughout the book. The book also has atmosphere, the feeling of the Unconsecrated, they are always there, which is very creepy. A great read. Rating ~ 10/10 ****** The Dead~Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan ~ Started: 10.04.11 ~ Finished: 12.04.11 Synopsis ~ Gabry lives a quiet life, secure in her town next to the sea and behind the Barrier. She's content to let her friends dream of the Dark City up the coast while she watches from the top of her lighthouse. Home is all she's ever known and, and all she needs for happiness. But life after the Return is never safe and there are threats even the Barrier can't hold back. Gabry's mother thought she left her secrets behind in the Forest of Hands and Teeth, but, like the dead in their world, secrets don't stay buried. And now, Gabry's world is crumbling. One night beyond the Barrier . . . One boy Gabry's known forever and one veiled in mystery . . . One reckless moment, and half of Gabry's generation is dead, the other half imprisoned. Now Gabry knows only one thing: if she has any hope of a future, she must face the forest of her mother's past. The Story ~ 'The Dead~Tossed Waves' is the second book in 'The Forest of Hands and Teeth' series. 'The Dead~Tossed Waves' is the story of Gabry, Mary from The Forest of Hands and Teeth's daughter. Gabry lives a quiet life in the small ocean town of Vista (one of the last safe havens on the road to The Dark City), a girl who is an outcast, vulnerable and afraid to take chances because of her fear of anything changing. Vista has ensured that the Unconsecrated are unable to enter but there is still a risk, which Gabry quickly finds out when she takes a chance with her friends, Catcher and Cira one night, in a moment, everything changes for them all and now Gabry finds herself alone and she must find the strength to step out of her comfort zone and face her fears. Along the way Gabry finds an ally in Elias, a member of The Soulers (a religious group who believe that becoming an Unconsecrated is a form of resurrection), together they must pass the barriers and enter the forest of hands and teeth. What I thought of 'The Dead~Tossed Waves' ~ This is my second time reading 'The Dead~Tossed Waves' and like 'The Forest of Hands and Teeth', I enjoyed it as much as I did the first time. I found there was more substance to 'The Dead~Tossed Waves' , more questions being asked about the nature of the Unconsecrated or the 'mudo' as Gabry calls them, which I found interesting because isn't it possible that something of the people they were, still left? You also find out more about Mary's past and the village, which answered some questions. Gabry is a strong female character, despite her fears, she continues to fight. A great read. Rating ~ 10/10 ****** The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan ~ Started: 12.04.11 ~ Finished: 15.04.11 Synopsis ~ Annah knows she has a twin sister, but she forgot her long ago. Back when they went to play in the Forest of Hands and Teeth, she and Elias lost her, and after that there was no going back to the village. Life's been hard, but Elias has taken care of her, and living in the Dark City can help one to forget the horror of the Unconsecrated ~ if you try hard enough. But when Elias disappears, Annah's world crumbles. To her, life isn't worth much more than the walking dead who roam the wasted world she lives in. It's not until she meets Catcher that she cares to start living again. Yet Catcher has secrets. Dark, terrifying secrets that link him to a past she's longed to forget and to a future too deadly to consider. Annah must decide: Can she continue to live a world covered in the blood of the living? Or is death the answer to all her problems? The Story ~ 'The Dark and Hollow Places' is the third and final book in 'The Forest of Hands and Teeth' series. Following on from 'The Dead~Tossed Waves', we are introduced to Gabry's long lost twin sister, Annah, who has spent most of her life in the Dark City with Elias (who first appeared in 'The Dead~Tossed Waves') surviving the best way they can until Elias leaves to join The Recruiters (and eventually The Soulers). Annah now survives on her own, keeping to the shadows, making her way through the city walking over the roofs of buildings and using the bridges between buildings to avoid the Unconsecrated. Annah hides herself because of the scars on the left side of her body, following an accident. Annah sees herself as ugly because of this and carries the guilt of leaving her sister behind in the forest of hands and teeth. Annah decides to leave the Dark City not knowing that Elias has already found her sister, and now Gabry and her friend, Catcher arrive at the Dark City, just as Annah is about to leave but events are taken out of their hands when the Unconsecrated descend on the city, in the panic, Gabry is captured by the recruiters and taken to the Sanctuary, an island just outside of the city, the safest place than can be found. Catcher finds Annah and eventually Elias, who takes them to the Sanctuary where Annah is reconciled with Gabry but the Sanctuary is not as safe as it seems and now the four of them must find away to escape before its too late. What I thought of 'The Dark and Hollow Places' ~ 'The Dark and Hollow Places' for me is the strongest book of the trilogy, and more darker, you see what life is like in The Dark City and how living there is a daily struggle of survival with the constant threat of the Unconsecrated who despite efforts still appear in the City where infection can quickly spread. As with the other books, there is the need to survive, to remain human, to make something new in the world that have been ruined by the dead. Despite the book being set in city, I found it more claustrophobic as the characters tried to avoid the Unconsecrated. The characters are well written as always. Annah, who sees herself as forgotten is determined but lost, she sees herself as ugly, when she is not and that was sad to read because you want good things for all of the characters. A great series which I am sorry to see ending, I hope Carrie Ryan returns to the characters of Annah, Catcher, Gabry and Elias again. Rating ~ 10/10