Early Chapters: 1-9

[Rachel-K]

Hi all,

Please use any of the following questions to begin talking about the first part of Hush, Hush.  Also, feel free to post your own questions and comments on this section to discuss with the rest of the group!  Remember that we are talking ONLY about the first section here, which ends after Patch drives Nora home from the Delphic and invites himself in to make tacos. No spoilers, please!

How does Nora feel when she and Patch are paired up in Biology class?

When do you notice a shift in Nora's feelings?

Does she share anything in common with Patch below the surface?

Has Patch been following Nora?

What do you make of Nora feeling that she can hear Patch speak directly to her mind?

Do you think Vee really left Nora on her own at the Delphic?

What do you make of the two incidents that Nora has had? The first, hitting a pedestrian who gets up and attacks her when

she's driving home on a foggy night, the second, falling from the ride "The Archangel" but finding her self safe and unharmed after each event? Is Patch somehow involved?

[Zia01]

How does Nora feel when she and Patch are paired up in Biology class?

I think she is ticked off to have her buddy taken away from her. She finds Patch to be an annoyance and can't understand why the coach made everyone switch seats. She's so self-involved she can't see past what she wants at this point.

[Facepalm]

How does Nora feel when she and Patch are paired up in Biology class?

Irritated. She knows nothing about this new stranger who is uncooperative, and  would rather be working with her best friend.

Does she share anything in common with Patch below the surface?

Hard to say, as we know very little about him so far.

Has Patch been following Nora?

Yes, but not because he's a stalker.

What do you make of Nora feeling that she can hear Patch speak directly to her mind?

Patch is an angel, so it makes sense- even if not to her- that he could do freaky stuff like that.

Do you think Vee really left Nora on her own at the Delphic?

No. Vee is a good friend, and I don't think that she would abandon Nora. She just wasn't at the same part of the park.

[J.R._BookWorm]

Nora's really mad when she's pared off with Patch

[Carinac]

Do you think Vee really left Nora on her own at the Delphic?

It does not seem like something Vee would do, and if Vee did leave her it would probably been under the guidance of someone else.

[dhaupt]

Nora's first reaction to Patch is dislike even though she thinks he's attractive, but in a scary way.

I don't really feel that she shifts her feelings toward him, I think she all along is curious about him and is fascinated by the fact that he thinks she's attractive too. I think he mostly confuses her by his outward appearance to not care about much but his attitude toward her and the conversations they share tell her that he is a deeper person than he appears to be. She senses his secrecy and wants to know why. I in fact was a little surprised that his mind talking to her didn't freak her out more.

It's hard to say at this point in the novel if Nora and Patch share any common thread between them.

I don't think it's Patch that is following Nora, I feel it's more malevolent than Patch and even though he has secrets I don't feel evil in him.

I don't know if Vee left Nora by choice or by force I guess we'll have to see.

I don't know what to make of these two events with Nora, my first inclination is to say that she is going to be involved in something very cosmic and wether or not it has to to with Nora's fate, maybe something in her past or maybe to do with an ancestor or if it's just coincident.

[Zia01]

Has Patch been following Nora? We are led to believe so, but it's too early in the book to say for sure.

What do you make of Nora feeling that she can hear Patch speak directly to her mind? This early on it's hard to say, but it makes Nora look a little crazy.

Do you think Vee really left Nora on her own at the Delphic? I wanted to believe she didn't but both her and Nora are pretty self-involved so who know what Vee would do.

What do you make of the two incidents that Nora has had? The first, hitting a pedestrian who gets up and attacks her when

she's driving home on a foggy night, the second, falling from the ride "The Archangel" but finding her self safe and unharmed after each event? Is Patch somehow involved? Part of me wanted to say she was halucinating but given the premise of the book, I decided it would play a larger role later on and didn't form any conclusion on her mental status just yet.

[asuayan]

I slept almost 2am because I counldn't put the book down. I wanted to find out more

How does Nora feel when she and Patch are paired up in Biology class?

She's irritated to be paired up with him because to her Patch is cocky. I think she's irritated because somehow there is an attraction going on.

Has Patch been following Nora?

Based from the first few chapters, it would seem that way.

What do you make of Nora feeling that she can hear Patch speak directly to her mind?

The first time it happened, I immediately thought that Patch is special...he's different than the rest of the school.

Do you think Vee really left Nora on her own at the Delphic?

They were BFFs so I couldn't understand why Vee would leave without Nora.

What do you make of the two incidents that Nora has had? The first, hitting a pedestrian who gets up and attacks her when she's driving home on a foggy night, the second, falling from the ride "The Archangel" but finding her self safe and unharmed after each event? Is Patch somehow involved?

It would seem that Patch is involved somehow. Someone's out to get Nora. Whoever is doing it, it's making Nora look crazy. Like when she told Vee what happened to the car. When Vee saw the Neon, it was fine except for the tiny crack on the windshield. How could that have happened? Was she just imagining things?

[GReba]

In an effort to fully participate in this great discussion, I am going to respond to the first chapter questions asked as if I was only in that portion of the book (tehe!  even though I've already read through the rest and love it!  keep reading if you haven't!)

How does Nora feel when she and Patch are paired up in Biology class?  - Let's just say she's less than thrilled.  On some level she feels her attraction to him, but it's not something she's about to consciously admit to.

When do you notice a shift in Nora's feelings? - I think the shift in her feelings occurs when Patch's fascination with her appears to be based in geniune feelings...she's not one with a huge ego so his intense interest throws her for a loop.

Does she share anything in common with Patch below the surface? - Hmmm...there's a tough one.  Below the surface...well, I mean we haven't really seen too much below the surface of Patch at this point in the book.  I mean, he is still coming off as the mysterious, dark bad boy.....

Has Patch been following Nora? - My impression, probably not.  Nora, however, thinks he is and with good reason!  How else would he know everything about her the way he does...

What do you make of Nora feeling that she can hear Patch speak directly to her mind? - I think that he is telepathic...and Nora is an open receiver since she is open in her personality as well (easy to read, wears her heart on her sleeve, etc)

Do you think Vee really left Nora on her own at the Delphic? - No.  They are best buds.  If she left, it was only to comb the area for Nora.

What do you make of the two incidents that Nora has had? The first, hitting a pedestrian who gets up and attacks her when

she's driving home on a foggy night, the second, falling from the ride "The Archangel" but finding her self safe and unharmed after each event? Is Patch somehow involved? - Gut feeling on this was that they were possibly premonitions or maybe even a glance into a forgotten past.  Is Patch involved?  Well, let's see, they started right after he came into her life....and the rollercoaster one took place with him right there.  I think it's safe to say that if he is not causing the events, he has a key role in them.

[wendyreads09]

How does Nora feel when she and Patch are paired up in Biology class? She's definitely not happy about it, but she's also curious.

When do you notice a shift in Nora's feelings?  When she meets with him at the Delphic Amusement Park.

Does she share anything in common with Patch below the surface? Only time will tell, but he puts thoughts in her head.

Has Patch been following Nora? I don't think so.  I think it's someone else involved.

What do you make of Nora feeling that she can hear Patch speak directly to her mind? She doesn't seem to mind.  I wouldn't like it.

Do you think Vee really left Nora on her own at the Delphic? I don't think Vee would leave Nora at the Delphic.  I think Patch put that thought in her mind so he could have more time with her.

What do you make of the two incidents that Nora has had? The first, hitting a pedestrian who gets up and attacks her whenshe's driving home on a foggy night, the second, falling from the ride "The Archangel" but finding her self safe and unharmed after each event? Is Patch somehow involved? Again, I think these were thoughts put into Nora's mind to make her think things are happening to her.  Whether or not, Patch is doing this, I don't know.

[BookBobBP]

How does Nora feel when she and Patch are paired up in Biology class?

She seems upset to be seperated from her friend more than being upset about Patch as a lab partner.  But he does a great job of getting under her skin.

When do you notice a shift in Nora's feelings?

When she runs into him at the Delphic and they have their first kiss.

Does she share anything in common with Patch below the surface?

They both are very curious about each other.  They both seem to follow their own path.

Has Patch been following Nora?

 I think he has been.

What do you make of Nora feeling that she can hear Patch speak directly to her mind?

 It is upseting to her and it makes no sense.

Do you think Vee really left Nora on her own at the Delphic?

 No I think Patch had something to do with it.

What do you make of the two incidents that Nora has had? The first, hitting a pedestrian who gets up and attacks her when

she's driving home on a foggy night, the second, falling from the ride "The Archangel" but finding her self safe and unharmed after each event? Is Patch somehow involved?

 Patch is somehow invovled in what happens on the roller coaster but I am not sure about pedestrian.

[Melissa_W Moderator]

I finished Chapter 9 but I'm not sure I'm going to be able to finish the book.  I am bothered by the notion put forward in the book that it is OK for a young woman to be harassed by men.  What set me on edge was the biology scene where Patch describes potential qualities in a mate, singling out Nora in front of the class despite her obvious discomfort, and when Nora complains about Patch making her uncomfortable she is told by a MALE TEACHER that she will continue to be Patch's lab partner because he participated in class for the first time and ISN'T THAT GREAT?  It is not great, it is worrisome and puts me off the book in general.  I find all the male characters in this book to be coercive when it comes to women, Patch most of all.  I'm going to give this book a few days before attempting to finish it.

PS: This has nothing to do with writing style, which I find to be quite readable.

[Evl_Chk]

How does Nora feel when she and Patch are paired up in Biology class?

 - I think she was pretty annoyed.  For one, being taken away from her best friend and two, being stuck with the new guy that is a bit cocky and full of himself.

When do you notice a shift in Nora's feelings?

- I think he started to get to her from the very beginning.  He seems to have a way of getting under her skin and making her rethink herself constantly.

Does she share anything in common with Patch below the surface?

 - I think she does, but she refuses to admit it.

Has Patch been following Nora?

 - I believe it is some other force following her.  I dont think it is Patch.

What do you make of Nora feeling that she can hear Patch speak directly to her mind?

-well, if he were in fact an angel - of course he would be able to do such things.  But he and her are actually one in the same - same type of beings.. then I can see where they share that ability.

Do you think Vee really left Nora on her own at the Delphic?

- I dont think she did.  I believe that when she is with Patch time seems to flow in a different way.

What do you make of the two incidents that Nora has had? The first, hitting a pedestrian who gets up and attacks her when

she's driving home on a foggy night, the second, falling from the ride "The Archangel" but finding her self safe and unharmed after each event? Is Patch somehow involved?

-I dont believe it is patch, but I think someone is trying to frighten her.  Maybe Patch is trying to protect her in some sort of way.

[dhaupt]

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Melissa_W wrote:

I finished Chapter 9 but I'm not sure I'm going to be able to finish the book.  I am bothered by the notion put forward in the book that it is OK for a young woman to be harassed by men.  What set me on edge was the biology scene where Patch describes potential qualities in a mate, singling out Nora in front of the class despite her obvious discomfort, and when Nora complains about Patch making her uncomfortable she is told by a MALE TEACHER that she will continue to be Patch's lab partner because he participated in class for the first time and ISN'T THAT GREAT?  It is not great, it is worrisome and puts me off the book in general.  I find all the male characters in this book to be coercive when it comes to women, Patch most of all.  I'm going to give this book a few days before attempting to finish it.

PS: This has nothing to do with writing style, which I find to be quite readable.

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Believe me when my daughter was in her teens we went through enough hormonal angst to go around the globe and that's all I felt when I read this book, realistic teenage angst.

Now when I read that part i got a totally different feel. I didn't feel the harassment, teenagers are always pushing each other's buttons and I felt it was a realistic look at hormonal teens. I felt like even though "coach" was inattentive to his students he can't let people switch seats just because they're uncomfortable. School especially public school is all about getting along with everyone. And I didn't find Patch's words about his perspective mate uncomfortable either, I didn't feel it was coercive and it's not his problem that it makes Nora uncomfortable, as long as he's within acceptable parameters I don't think he should have to change what he says or how he feels. 

But maybe we should hear from the audience this book is written for.

Do you teens out there feel offended by this?

Why or why not.

[Melissa_W Moderator]

We probably have a very different perspective.  I was one of the girls who was constantly picked on because I was shy and didn't "put out" - it is very hard to go to school when you know that boys will make suggestive comments about you regardless of what you do. Students don't go to school to just get along with everyone and put up with behavior that makes one feel uncomfortable.  Luckily, I had a teacher who witnessed my being harassed and took steps to stop the behavior.

Nora's experience hits very close to home for me.

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dhaupt wrote:

I felt it was a realistic look at hormonal teens. I felt like even though "coach" was inattentive to his students he can't let people switch seats just because they're uncomfortable. School especially public school is all about getting along with everyone. And I didn't find Patch's words about his perspective mate uncomfortable either, I didn't feel it was coercive and it's not his problem that it makes Nora uncomfortable, as long as he's within acceptable parameters I don't think he should have to change what he says or how he feels. 

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[neverendingshe…]

How does Nora feel when she and Patch are paired up in Biology class?

I think that she was out of her comfort level. She is definately off guard, and not sure what to think about Patch.

Has Patch been following Nora?

I love this question. I really think he has. But what I really loved about the book is that the following never seemed to stalkerish. For example, in Twilight, Edward ends up looking like a creepy pervert, but Patch doesn't. He seems like he is the bad boy, who has a secret agenda.

Do you think Vee really left Nora on her own at the Delphic?

I think that Vee did leave her. But I think that maybe Patch had something to do with it. Maybe he got in her mind, like he has been with Nora.

[dhaupt]

I actually was a nerdy person that had very few friends, hated high school and once I left never went back.

Melissa_W wrote:

We probably have a very different perspective.  I was one of the girls who was constantly picked on because I was shy and didn't "put out" - it is very hard to go to school when you know that boys will make suggestive comments about you regardless of what you do. Students don't go to school to just get along with everyone and put up with behavior that makes one feel uncomfortable.  Luckily, I had a teacher who witnessed my being harassed and took steps to stop the behavior.

Nora's experience hits very close to home for me.

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dhaupt wrote:

I felt it was a realistic look at hormonal teens. I felt like even though "coach" was inattentive to his students he can't let people switch seats just because they're uncomfortable. School especially public school is all about getting along with everyone. And I didn't find Patch's words about his perspective mate uncomfortable either, I didn't feel it was coercive and it's not his problem that it makes Nora uncomfortable, as long as he's within acceptable parameters I don't think he should have to change what he says or how he feels. 

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[jabrkeKB]

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rkubie wrote:

How does Nora feel when she and Patch are paired up in Biology class? She is not happy and wants her seat changed.

When do you notice a shift in Nora's feelings? When she thinks he is following her.

Does she share anything in common with Patch below the surface? I don't know yet.

Has Patch been following Nora? Yes, although is could just be coincidence that he always shows up at the same place as Nora.

What do you make of Nora feeling that she can hear Patch speak directly to her mind? I'm surprised that Nora is not more frightened.

Do you think Vee really left Nora on her own at the Delphic? No, but I don't know what happened.

What do you make of the two incidents that Nora has had? The first, hitting a pedestrian who gets up and attacks her when

she's driving home on a foggy night, the second, falling from the ride "The Archangel" but finding her self safe and unharmed after each event? Is Patch somehow involved? I believe Patch is involved.

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[Chelsea_x3]

How does Nora feel when she and Patch are paired up in Biology class?
She is clearly very upset and annoyed that she is paired up with Patch, who happens to know just about everything about her and comes off as very uncooperative.

When do you notice a shift in Nora's feelings?
Her curiosity and feelings about Patch gradually build up, but her feelings for Patch become especially noticeable in chapter nine, when they almost kiss.

Has Patch been following Nora?

I believe he has been following Nora, but it isn't in the stalker-ish way. I believe it to be in a more protective way.

Do you think Vee really left Nora on her own at the Delphic?

Leaving Nora alone is not something that Vee would do. Although I do believe she was influenced by someone else to leave Nora behind...

[7thgradeteacher]

Do Patch and Nora share anything in common?

Yes I think they do.  They are both strong willed, smart people.  And I think they are both lonely because they both spend a lot of time alone.  Now I know Patch doesn't say this, but you can kinda pick it up from him.

The whole hitting the pedistrian thing freaked me out!  Just because I've driven home alone many nights and had to stop at red lights with no one around.  Having something be there and try to attack the car would be very scary.  Even more scary when she saw the car was normal - then to drive through that place again!  NO thank you!

What I want to know from people is:  would you do what Nora does? Would you have gone and found Patch when he brushed he told her where she was and that she'd never come there?  Would you have told Vee what happened?

There are a lot of things Nora does that I shake my head at.  Keeping what happened with the car wasn't smart.  I understood why she didn't tell but still.  What do you think?