Paris Noire Week Three [ Edited ]

[dhaupt]

Week Three

Well Paris Noir is in the rearview mirror, we’ve left the middle 20^th Century and are back home in the 21^st

1 .Let’s talk about the characters first, I’ve asked you in the previous weeks who were your favorites and now at the end I ask you again.
Who do you love, who do you hate, who will you remember, who do you want to forget

2. Tell us how you felt about the Convent “invasion”

3. In this novel Francine has been a bit of a name dropper and in this section it’s no different when Collette’s wedding gown is made from fabric and design of none other than Coco Chanel
The wedding takes place at an emotional time for these characters but it was the return of Michael that seemed to get the ball rolling.
How did you feel about the steamroller style of Michael’s taking over.

4. We all know what the different characters about the death of Genevieve
What do you think happened.

5. Let’s talk about the ending
Did you like it, was it believable to you

6. In some previous novels I’ve asked you to spin the clock forward and I think this is another perfect one to do so, let’s say 5 years. What’s happening with these people.

7. All in all how good a job do you feel the author told her story.

[elaine_hf]

Hi Deb,

Nice wrap-up questions! I think you already know a little of how I feel about the end, but I'll answer these questions the best I can.

I'd actually like to forget everyone related to Alain-Hugo, A-H himself, and his freedom-fighting buddies. They may have been war heroes, but they're cowards in everyday life. I guess I may as well answer another of your questions here - I'm convinced that A-H is responsible for Genvieve's death. She wasn't honest with Christophe, or herself, but I don't think she deserved to die for her transgressions. She was just a foolish young girl who was guilty of having poor judgment - but who didn't make mistakes at that age?? (Or now...) Maybe not that dramatic of mistakes for most of us, but errors nonetheless. I don't have a very high regard for Genvieve, either, and she's one of the characters best forgotten as well. Surprisingly, to me anyway, is the fact that I'm very fond of Marie Therese. I did not like her in the beginning, but she turned out to be the most honest, loyal person of the bunch. I don't feel like I know much about Michael, or about his relationship with Marie Therese, but I do like that he's come to recognize his feelings for her, in spite of his tragic history. So maybe here's the place to think about what will happen within the next 5 years. I think Marie Therese and Michael marry and live in San Francisco (with frequent trips to Paris, because I think Collette will be having children!), and I think that Christophe and Martine have come to respect and maybe love each other over the course of the years. Married? Maybe. But I think that what they could potentially have together is much more meaningful than whatever may have transpired with Genvieve, as that was founded in hormones...    And - I really do love Glovia and Gaston. When I started the book, I really thought that the story would center more around Glovia, and that of course something tragic would happen to her. But it didn't, and she was always a supporting character when one was needed.

I didn't think much of the convent 'invasion', as it seemed doomed from the start, but it did set up the rest of Genvieve's and A-H's story. And I really didn't think that the Chanel-designed dress one way or the other, except it was a reminder of other things happening in that time period in Paris. It's easy to forget, in this story, that it is a city that has and still does influence fashion everywhere. And I think it was time for someone to corral things, who better than 'Monsieur Lieutenant'? I didn't have a problem with it, and it doesn't seem like anyone in the story did, either.

I liked the ending - I'm big on happy endings, and endings with a happy potential - and this one satisfied! It was believable to me, and gave me hope for Christophe. It was a teeny bit of a stretch that Marie-Therese could so easily convince Christophe to take more of an interest in Martine, but maybe he was ready for that push. Thank you Francine, for your book - a thoroughly enjoyable read!

[aprilh]

Right off the bat, I can say for certain that I hate what Alain-Hugo became. I do believe that he killed Genvieve and it still upsets me that he admitted to the reader that he slept with other women while he was away fighting in the war. I know Genvieve made a mistake sleeping with Christophe and getting pregnant with his baby, but Alain-Hugo cheated on her too. He just didn't get caught.

I think Genvieve will be the character that I will remember the most. As her story went on, I felt very protective of her and even though she made some bad choices, I wished there could have been a happier ending for her. She was young and naive and I honestly believe that she loved Christophe and their baby. I think she really thought there would be a way for her situation to work out, whether she was granted her divorce from Alain-Hugo or they stayed married and she never saw Christophe again, but saw her child once a year. Her story will always be the one that I remember most vividly.

I still love Marie-Therese. She is a such a strong person, someone people could count on and a great mother. Her plan to save Genvieve from the convent proved just how far she would go for her children's happiness.

I thought the convent invasion was a risky move when Marie-Therese thought of it and was going to have Martine carry it out by herself. When Christophe added himself to the mix, I held my breath the entire time. I kept waiting for Alain-Hugo to recognize him. After finishing Paris Noire, I wondered if Alain-Hugo did recognize Christophe or if he at least thought something was up with the priest. Remember, Alain-Hugo asked the priest to wait for him because he wanted a word with him. Martine and Christophe fled the convent and when Alain-Hugo came back they would have been gone. I can't help wondering if the convent plan was never carried out, would Genvieve still be alive? Did the husband suspect the priest was Christophe and couldn't chance them running off together at some other time?

I was a little taken aback by Michael's approach with Christophe. I personally, was thinking more like Marie-Therese. Don't bring up weddings, parties, love. Michael's approach seemed to work though and Christophe snapped out of his dark state of mind long enough to tell his sister to go ahead and get married.

Honestly, I do believe that Alain-Hugo shot Genvieve. I had a bad feeling about him since reading about how he bumped her pregnant stomach and stuffed her in the potato basket. I don't think he could deal with her having been with Christophe and getting pregnant with his baby. His hatred toward her was so great he couldn't stand to even look at her and even though I think he wanted a divorce, he didn't want to be excommunicated from the church. So, he did the only thing he could think of to get her out of his life. He shot her.

At Genvieve's funeral, I was surprised Alain-Hugo handed Christophe a note "she" wrote. Was he expecting Christophe to be at the funeral and to come after him for revenge? When Marie-Therese realized the note was not in a woman's handwriting, Glovia convinced her it was best to let Christophe think Genvieve's death was a suicide, or he too would have been dead at the hands of Alain-Hugo. How hard this had to be for Marie-Therese to keep this secret from her son and watch him blame himself for Genvieve's suicide.

The book ended on high note. All the characters seemed to be picking up the pieces of their lives and moving on. Collette and Jean-Michel married. Glovia announces her intention to marry Gaston. Marie-Therese is wearing Michael's ring. Christophe dances with Martine. I like happy endings, so I like the way it ended. The relationship between Christophe and Martine was left up in the air, so we aren't really sure if they get back together or not.

In five years, I see Collette and Jean-Michel with a child and another on the way. Glovia is married to Gaston and still throwing her soirees. Marie-Therese and Michael have married and live in the states. Christophe's future I think is the hardest one to predict. He suffered so much with his loss of Genvieve and his child. I believe in five years Christophe and Martine are married (with much coaxing from Marie-Therese) and have a child on the way. I think slowly Christophe is realizing that even though he loved Genvieve and his unborn child, they are gone and he is starting to learn to love Martine and their baby. (You can see I really want a happy ending for all the characters.)

I think the author did a really good job telling her story. It had many twists and turns that kept me guessing and wanting to read more. I really enjoyed this book.

[ReadingPatti]

dhaupt, I don't know what happened. I posted my response the other day and it is not here.

Week Three

Well Paris Noir is in the rearview mirror, we’ve left the middle 20th Century and are back home in the 21st

1 .Let’s talk about the characters first, I’ve asked you in the previous weeks who were your favorites and now at the end I ask you again.
Who do you love, who do you hate, who will you remember, who do you want to forget. I love Marie-Therese. she is a strong woman.

2. Tell us how you felt about the Convent “invasion”=I thought is was wonderful. They were trying to help Genevieve.

3. In this novel Francine has been a bit of a name dropper and in this section it’s no different when Collette’s wedding gown is made from fabric and design of none other than Coco Chanel
The wedding takes place at an emotional time for these characters but it was the return of Michael that seemed to get the ball rolling.
How did you feel about the steamroller style of Michael’s taking over.- I like the way he helped. He loves Marie-Therese some much that he wanted to help any way he could.

4. We all know what the different characters about the death of Genevieve
What do you think happened.- I think the father in law kiled or or had her killed.

5. Let’s talk about the ending
Did you like it, was it believable to you-yes,I hope that they all got happy endings.

6. In some previous novels I’ve asked you to spin the clock forward and I think this is another perfect one to do so, let’s say 5 years. What’s happening with these people.-I think that Micheal and Marie-Therese will get married and Christophe and Martine will get married and so will Gloria.

7. All in all how good a job do you feel the author told her story. I like the way she wrote the story and how she showed what was happening during that time. She is a really good writer.

ReaidngPatti

[dhaupt]

Elaine, thanks for your responses and that you liked Marie Therese inspite of yourself, she too is the one character that stands out for me. She was honest in her actions and her reasons behind them, she was always thinking of others before herself and was reluctant to believe that someone like Michael would choose her over Glovia.

I'm glad you liked the novel

[dhaupt]

april, I agree with your account of the convent "invasion", the whole time I was biting my nails wondering if they could pull it off but at the same time I'm laughing to myself for the absurdity of it all.

I also wondered what was the real trigger that made Alain kill Genevieve, I also believe that he killed her and i also agree with all of you that she did not deserve death. Even though I seem to be the only one who views her as a villain too. I absolutely love how all of your ideas make me think along different lines when we all read the same book.

Thank you

[dhaupt]

Patti first off I'm sorry that your first comments didn't show up

and this is a real eye opener for me

4. We all know what the different characters about the death of Genevieve
What do you think happened.- I think the father in law kiled or or had her killed.

Wow, I never thought of that, but it could be true. What made you think this I'm really interested to know

Thanks for your thoughts and comments Patti

[whiteginger]

Arrgh!  All my comments just disappeared!  This will be a down and dirty version.

I will remember Glovia (she's got moxie!) and Gaston (he's got genteel style!).  I will also remember Jimmie Lee and Madame Mabry--great character bit-roles--from the scene with Alain-H.  And I will remember Alain-H:  he is a wonderful antagonist, well developed, complex and believable.  He is a character to which a reader  responds strongly, even if the reader responds with a strong hatred of his moral character.  He continues to be one of my favorite characters and I continue to think he loved Gen or at least the idea of Gen, perhaps too much.  I cannot overlook the picture of Gen he carried with him and kissed before each battle; nor the fact that he took time to carefully shave before seeing her; nor his trust that if she were with another man, she was being raped; nor the fact that he cried over her "betrayal," etc.  I like how April said she hated "what Alain-Hugo became."  I can't say that I hate him at all, but I do believe that what he "became" was a result of his growing up in the church at that time and under his despicable father. Just curiosity, but I wonder how reactions to his character would change if just this one sentence were omitted from the novel:  "Not that long without a woman, of course, but none of them had been his wife, his Genvieve."  I think I will remember the Lieutenant, but like Elaine, I'm not sure I know enough about him to remember him well.

I thought the convent invasion, overall, was a bit contrived, but it did give me a chance to know Martine better.  Martine is my other favorite character, my heroine. (Using the pregnancy pillow to cover the barbs at the top of the fence as she and Christophe escaped was a nice bit of comic relief.) I hope Martine will not settle for being Christophe's rebound love; she has proven that she deserves so much more.

I am almost certain that Alain-H killed Gen, but as April said, the despicable father-in-law could have been the cause.  At any rate, if Alain-H pulled the trigger, I think he did so in a crime of passion--as a reaction to Gen's mentioning divorce or Christophe again; he could not stand the thought of the woman he had thought about so much wanting another man, having his child--or at the urging of his father who would certainly want a clean start for his son and the family  (Killing Gen would clear the family name, the father's name!)

Five years from now, Marie-T will be married and living in America with the Lieutenant; she will be planning a visit to Paris to see her first grandchild, Collette's child.  Collette is extremely happy.  Christophe and Martine are also happy--Martine married to a man (not Christophe) who thinks she is beautiful and wonderful; Christophe dating an exciting woman who has no connection to or knowledge of Gen and Christophe's past.  Glovia and Gaston have opened the most successful club in Paris.  Jimmie Lee and Madame Mabry are living together in Glovia's old apartment and now host the social, artistic parties there.

[aprilh]

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whiteginger wrote:

Arrgh!  All my comments just disappeared!  This will be a down and dirty version.

I will remember Glovia (she's got moxie!) and Gaston (he's got genteel style!).  I will also remember Jimmie Lee and Madame Mabry--great character bit-roles--from the scene with Alain-H.  And I will remember Alain-H:  he is a wonderful antagonist, well developed, complex and believable.  He is a character to which a reader  responds strongly, even if the reader responds with a strong hatred of his moral character.  He continues to be one of my favorite characters and I continue to think he loved Gen or at least the idea of Gen, perhaps too much.  I cannot overlook the picture of Gen he carried with him and kissed before each battle; nor the fact that he took time to carefully shave before seeing her; nor his trust that if she were with another man, she was being raped; nor the fact that he cried over her "betrayal," etc.  I like how April said she hated "what Alain-Hugo became."  I can't say that I hate him at all, but I do believe that what he "became" was a result of his growing up in the church at that time and under his despicable father. Just curiosity, but I wonder how reactions to his character would change if just this one sentence were omitted from the novel:  "Not that long without a woman, of course, but none of them had been his wife, his Genvieve."  I think I will remember the Lieutenant, but like Elaine, I'm not sure I know enough about him to remember him well.

I thought the convent invasion, overall, was a bit contrived, but it did give me a chance to know Martine better.  Martine is my other favorite character, my heroine. (Using the pregnancy pillow to cover the barbs at the top of the fence as she and Christophe escaped was a nice bit of comic relief.) I hope Martine will not settle for being Christophe's rebound love; she has proven that she deserves so much more.

I am almost certain that Alain-H killed Gen, but as April said, the despicable father-in-law could have been the cause.  At any rate, if Alain-H pulled the trigger, I think he did so in a crime of passion--as a reaction to Gen's mentioning divorce or Christophe again; he could not stand the thought of the woman he had thought about so much wanting another man, having his child--or at the urging of his father who would certainly want a clean start for his son and the family  (Killing Gen would clear the family name, the father's name!)

Five years from now, Marie-T will be married and living in America with the Lieutenant; she will be planning a visit to Paris to see her first grandchild, Collette's child.  Collette is extremely happy.  Christophe and Martine are also happy--Martine married to a man (not Christophe) who thinks she is beautiful and wonderful; Christophe dating an exciting woman who has no connection to or knowledge of Gen and Christophe's past.  Glovia and Gaston have opened the most successful club in Paris.  Jimmie Lee and Madame Mabry are living together in Glovia's old apartment and now host the social, artistic parties there.

---

I like that you brought up this question about Alain-Hugo: Just curiosity, but I wonder how reactions to his character would change if just this one sentence were omitted from the novel:  "Not that long without a woman, of course, but none of them had been his wife, his Genvieve."  This was a very interesting question to pose and I gave it some thought. To be honest, I think my feelings toward Alain-Hugo would have been very different if that one sentence would have been left out of the novel. If there had never been any mention of him cheating on Genvieve, I think I would have felt more sympathetic toward him and understood more of his reaction when he found Genvieve with Christophe. I don't think it would have justified his killing Genvieve, but I would have seen how deeply it hurt him seeing the woman he loved being unfaithful to him. I also would have seen his point of view about why he wanted her to go to the convent until the baby was born and why he could not let Genvieve keep the baby. It would have been too painful for him to see the child everyday and be reminded of what she had done. I think if that line was removed from the novel, I wouldn't have ended up hating Alain-Hugo (although I wouldn't have agreed with what he did). As for Genvieve, I would have blamed her for what happened to her, instead of feeling like she had no choices in what happened to her or her baby. Interesting how if one line was omitted from the novel it could completely make me rethink my thoughts on Alain-Hugo and Genvieve.

[ReadingPatti]

dhaupt, I thought that the father in law either killed Genevieve or had her killed. He did not like her for what she did. To send her off to a convent and force her to give her baby away is unforgivable then to keep her there and just her off at holidays is also unforgivable.

I do not beleive that she killed herself. Genevieve loved Christophe too much and loved her baby. So I don't see that.

The father in law had a lot of influence so I was suspicious about her killing herself and her baby.

ReadingPatti

[dhaupt]

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whiteginger wrote:

Arrgh!  All my comments just disappeared!  This will be a down and dirty version.

I will remember Glovia (she's got moxie!) and Gaston (he's got genteel style!).  I will also remember Jimmie Lee and Madame Mabry--great character bit-roles--from the scene with Alain-H.  And I will remember Alain-H:  he is a wonderful antagonist, well developed, complex and believable.  He is a character to which a reader  responds strongly, even if the reader responds with a strong hatred of his moral character.  He continues to be one of my favorite characters and I continue to think he loved Gen or at least the idea of Gen, perhaps too much.  I cannot overlook the picture of Gen he carried with him and kissed before each battle; nor the fact that he took time to carefully shave before seeing her; nor his trust that if she were with another man, she was being raped; nor the fact that he cried over her "betrayal," etc.  I like how April said she hated "what Alain-Hugo became."  I can't say that I hate him at all, but I do believe that what he "became" was a result of his growing up in the church at that time and under his despicable father. Just curiosity, but I wonder how reactions to his character would change if just this one sentence were omitted from the novel:  "Not that long without a woman, of course, but none of them had been his wife, his Genvieve."  I think I will remember the Lieutenant, but like Elaine, I'm not sure I know enough about him to remember him well.

I thought the convent invasion, overall, was a bit contrived, but it did give me a chance to know Martine better.  Martine is my other favorite character, my heroine. (Using the pregnancy pillow to cover the barbs at the top of the fence as she and Christophe escaped was a nice bit of comic relief.) I hope Martine will not settle for being Christophe's rebound love; she has proven that she deserves so much more.

I am almost certain that Alain-H killed Gen, but as April said, the despicable father-in-law could have been the cause.  At any rate, if Alain-H pulled the trigger, I think he did so in a crime of passion--as a reaction to Gen's mentioning divorce or Christophe again; he could not stand the thought of the woman he had thought about so much wanting another man, having his child--or at the urging of his father who would certainly want a clean start for his son and the family  (Killing Gen would clear the family name, the father's name!)

Five years from now, Marie-T will be married and living in America with the Lieutenant; she will be planning a visit to Paris to see her first grandchild, Collette's child.  Collette is extremely happy.  Christophe and Martine are also happy--Martine married to a man (not Christophe) who thinks she is beautiful and wonderful; Christophe dating an exciting woman who has no connection to or knowledge of Gen and Christophe's past.  Glovia and Gaston have opened the most successful club in Paris.  Jimmie Lee and Madame Mabry are living together in Glovia's old apartment and now host the social, artistic parties there.

---

Urg sorry about the lost text I know it happens to us all and after we go through so much to state our thoughts it's hard to come up with the same words when we're forced to re-do)

meet the culprit

• 

now about your responses

this really stuck with me

And I will remember Alain-H:  he is a wonderful antagonist, well developed, complex and believable.  He is a character to which a reader  responds strongly, even if the reader responds with a strong hatred of his moral character.  He continues to be one of my favorite characters and I continue to think he loved Gen or at least the idea of Gen, perhaps too much.  I cannot overlook the picture of Gen he carried with him and kissed before each battle; nor the fact that he took time to carefully shave before seeing her; nor his trust that if she were with another man, she was being raped; nor the fact that he cried over her "betrayal," etc. 

I feel the same way about him

thank you for all your thoughts and comments

this has been a very good discussion

[dhaupt]

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aprilh wrote:

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whiteginger wrote:

Arrgh!  All my comments just disappeared!  This will be a down and dirty version.

I will remember Glovia (she's got moxie!) and Gaston (he's got genteel style!).  I will also remember Jimmie Lee and Madame Mabry--great character bit-roles--from the scene with Alain-H.  And I will remember Alain-H:  he is a wonderful antagonist, well developed, complex and believable.  He is a character to which a reader  responds strongly, even if the reader responds with a strong hatred of his moral character.  He continues to be one of my favorite characters and I continue to think he loved Gen or at least the idea of Gen, perhaps too much.  I cannot overlook the picture of Gen he carried with him and kissed before each battle; nor the fact that he took time to carefully shave before seeing her; nor his trust that if she were with another man, she was being raped; nor the fact that he cried over her "betrayal," etc.  I like how April said she hated "what Alain-Hugo became."  I can't say that I hate him at all, but I do believe that what he "became" was a result of his growing up in the church at that time and under his despicable father. Just curiosity, but I wonder how reactions to his character would change if just this one sentence were omitted from the novel:  "Not that long without a woman, of course, but none of them had been his wife, his Genvieve."  I think I will remember the Lieutenant, but like Elaine, I'm not sure I know enough about him to remember him well.

I thought the convent invasion, overall, was a bit contrived, but it did give me a chance to know Martine better.  Martine is my other favorite character, my heroine. (Using the pregnancy pillow to cover the barbs at the top of the fence as she and Christophe escaped was a nice bit of comic relief.) I hope Martine will not settle for being Christophe's rebound love; she has proven that she deserves so much more.

I am almost certain that Alain-H killed Gen, but as April said, the despicable father-in-law could have been the cause.  At any rate, if Alain-H pulled the trigger, I think he did so in a crime of passion--as a reaction to Gen's mentioning divorce or Christophe again; he could not stand the thought of the woman he had thought about so much wanting another man, having his child--or at the urging of his father who would certainly want a clean start for his son and the family  (Killing Gen would clear the family name, the father's name!)

Five years from now, Marie-T will be married and living in America with the Lieutenant; she will be planning a visit to Paris to see her first grandchild, Collette's child.  Collette is extremely happy.  Christophe and Martine are also happy--Martine married to a man (not Christophe) who thinks she is beautiful and wonderful; Christophe dating an exciting woman who has no connection to or knowledge of Gen and Christophe's past.  Glovia and Gaston have opened the most successful club in Paris.  Jimmie Lee and Madame Mabry are living together in Glovia's old apartment and now host the social, artistic parties there.

---

I like that you brought up this question about Alain-Hugo: Just curiosity, but I wonder how reactions to his character would change if just this one sentence were omitted from the novel:  "Not that long without a woman, of course, but none of them had been his wife, his Genvieve."  This was a very interesting question to pose and I gave it some thought. To be honest, I think my feelings toward Alain-Hugo would have been very different if that one sentence would have been left out of the novel. If there had never been any mention of him cheating on Genvieve, I think I would have felt more sympathetic toward him and understood more of his reaction when he found Genvieve with Christophe. I don't think it would have justified his killing Genvieve, but I would have seen how deeply it hurt him seeing the woman he loved being unfaithful to him. I also would have seen his point of view about why he wanted her to go to the convent until the baby was born and why he could not let Genvieve keep the baby. It would have been too painful for him to see the child everyday and be reminded of what she had done. I think if that line was removed from the novel, I wouldn't have ended up hating Alain-Hugo (although I wouldn't have agreed with what he did). As for Genvieve, I would have blamed her for what happened to her, instead of feeling like she had no choices in what happened to her or her baby. Interesting how if one line was omitted from the novel it could completely make me rethink my thoughts on Alain-Hugo and Genvieve.

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Thanks April for your thoughts on A-H, he was a very good character for discussion wasn't he

[dhaupt]

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ReadingPatti wrote:

dhaupt, I thought that the father in law either killed Genevieve or had her killed. He did not like her for what she did. To send her off to a convent and force her to give her baby away is unforgivable then to keep her there and just her off at holidays is also unforgivable.

I do not beleive that she killed herself. Genevieve loved Christophe too much and loved her baby. So I don't see that.

The father in law had a lot of influence so I was suspicious about her killing herself and her baby.

ReadingPatti

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Ah, thanks Patti for your explanation, I can see this

[whiteginger]

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dhaupt wrote:

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whiteginger wrote:

Arrgh!  All my comments just disappeared!  This will be a down and dirty version.

 

---

Urg sorry about the lost text I know it happens to us all and after we go through so much to state our thoughts it's hard to come up with the same words when we're forced to re-do)

meet the culprit

• 

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Now this is a character who deserves to die!  

[whiteginger]

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ReadingPatti wrote:

dhaupt, I thought that the father in law either killed Genevieve or had her killed. He did not like her for what she did. To send her off to a convent and force her to give her baby away is unforgivable then to keep her there and just her off at holidays is also unforgivable.

I do not beleive that she killed herself. Genevieve loved Christophe too much and loved her baby. So I don't see that.

The father in law had a lot of influence so I was suspicious about her killing herself and her baby.

ReadingPatti

---

Sorry, ReadingPatti, I read previous comments before I wrote my own (something I try never to do) and thought I remembered this theory from April.  Anyway, the more I think about it, Patti, the more I agree with you about this.  (Paris Noire is only on my NC--the N2A side of my NC which is currently set for the standard OS and being charged, so I'm not going to check this for sure.)

Best of my memory, however, it is Alain-H's father who first mentions "the plan" and asks if A-H has told Gen about it yet.  We get glimpses of Alain-H's hurt and confusion, but all we see from the father is hateful anger.  Doesn't Alain-H say he talked with his father and cried, and that the arrangements had been made (by the father?).  I don't think Alain-H ever says or even implies that he, himself, has made this arrangement.  Killing Gen (or having her killed) would be totally within character for the father.

[Francinethomas…]

Ladies ladies!  I'm reveling in this discussion--especially of Alain-Hugo.  Did he, or did he not, do the deed?  That is the very point.  In the story told to me by my French friend, the real-life pregnant Genvieve committed suicide.  It was when I heard his version of events that the wheels in my writer's brain started churning.  Would a woman pregnant with the child of a man she deeply loved, commit suicide?  I don't know.  That's why I put out the two theories:  suicide or murder.  You ladies have made it clear.  You believe it murder.  Was it?

       Thanks to you all for your comments.

[dhaupt]

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Francinethomashoward wrote:

Ladies ladies!  I'm reveling in this discussion--especially of Alain-Hugo.  Did he, or did he not, do the deed?  That is the very point.  In the story told to me by my French friend, the real-life pregnant Genvieve committed suicide.  It was when I heard his version of events that the wheels in my writer's brain started churning.  Would a woman pregnant with the child of a man she deeply loved, commit suicide?  I don't know.  That's why I put out the two theories:  suicide or murder.  You ladies have made it clear.  You believe it murder.  Was it?

       Thanks to you all for your comments.

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Thank you Francine for opening our eyes to the inside scoop.