Family

[Rachel-K]

What role does Nora’s father play in her life? In what ways does his death make her more resistant to the supernatural beings in her life? In what ways does it make her more open to them?

What is Nora's relationship with her mother like? How has her absence played a part in Nora's life? Has their changed in the course of the novel?

[dhaupt]

Nora's fathers death had a big impact on her life as it would on any child, it made her more aware of danger around her.

I don't really see where Nora's fathers death has anything to do with her resistance or non-resistance to supernatural beings, unless from the mere fact that she was more aware of the danger around her because of loosing someone to a violent death, or the fact that her part Nephilim blood made her more aware of otherworldly things.

And speaking of Nora's father, I was wondering if his death had anything to do with him being a descendent of Chauncy, but I guess we'll have to wait for the second book to maybe find out.

Nora's relationship with her mother is typical of someone who has experienced violence in their lives, sort of the two of them against the world type of thing. I think that the fact that her mother travels a lot has taught Nora independence and more responsibility then the average 16yr old. I think in the course of the novel the relationship between Nora and her mother has pretty much stayed status quo except for the secrets part, but how do you tell your mother that you're being stalked by things that go bump in the night.

[Rosei]

I'd love to know a bit more about Nora's father. We know so little about him from the very beginning of the novel and still know so little by the end. He's also kinda of a mystery in the novel; maybe Crescendo (the sequel) brings him up. Surely he has a very special role in Nora's life, because he's the connection with the supernatural atmosphere and beings that she attracts.

On the other hand, Nora and her mother have quite a distant relationship. The need of supporting the house and the daughter makes Blythe very busy and so apart from Nora's feelings, anxieties and danger. But Nora is protective about her mom and avoid to give her unnecessary worries, even if she faces real big problems. They love each other and just want to stay together, but so many different circumstances get them always apart.

[HarlequinTwili…]

I really hope that the sequel touches more on Nora's father too. Her father's death has obviously had a very large impact on her, as it would any child, and with her mother distant and working all the time, I think there is something more that can be done in the story about her father. Plus she also seems to have the whole supernatural connection thing going on, I wonder if we may see more about her father later on.

I am kinda hoping we see something more from her mother too. I know she is just trying to keep the house and everything, but she should also consider what her absence after Nora's father's death is doing to her daughter. There are numerous things Blythe could do to make sure they can keep the house and still be around and be a mother. I mean, throughout the whole novel, she was only home like one or two days. That is so not being a parent. Being a parent is much more than keeping a roof over your kid's head, it's also about being there.

[Zeal]

Nora and her father were obviously very close.  This closeness was ripped away when he was murdered.  This is what contributes to Nora's courage and determination to explore the dangerous realm of Patch.  Life is too short...you never know when it will end.  Subconsciously, Nora knows to live in the moment, follow your heart, and believe in yourself...you might not get a second chance.

[lmpmn]

I was so hurt for Nora when I read that it was really stalker Chauncey that was following her around.  She felt like it was her father's presence around her keeping her safe the whole time.  Then she finds out it was an evil presence.  How terrible for her!  I just felt so sad when she learned that.

I also felt like it was a shame that Nora felt she couldn't confine in her mother because she didn't want Blythe to have more problems and worries.  I could understand that Nora was afraid that her mom would give up her job to find a local job, and consequently lose the farmhouse.  She really felt like that house was the only connection she had left with her dad.  Very sad!

[flbeachbum]

What role does Nora’s father play in her life? In what ways does his death make her more resistant to the supernatural beings in her life? In what ways does it make her more open to them?

As I was reading, I was wondering if the death of her father had anything to do with the angels.  Becca did a great job of leaving the ctual circumstances behind the death a mystery, so the door is wide open in future books to revist that event. 

[flbeachbum]

What role does Nora’s father play in her life? In what ways does his death make her more resistant to the supernatural beings in her life? In what ways does it make her more open to them?

As I was reading, I was wondering if the death of her father had anything to do with the angels.  Becca did a great job of leaving the ctual circumstances behind the death a mystery, so the door is wide open in future books to revist that event. 

[Kathy17]

This isn't a response to the question posed per se, but I just want to add that, for me, the familial relationships (or lack thereof) were the weakest part of the book for me. It's just way too convenient that Nora's dad is dead and that her mother is never around. What kind of teen is afforded the freedom to galavant around at all hours of the day and night like Nora is? And the housekeeper that was introduced to explain away that situation at the beginning--where exactly is she later in the book? I know this is fiction and I should suspend imagination (which I did for the supernatural parts just fine) but when you add realistic aspects to such a story, I think they should actually be realistic.

[Shapatm]

What role does Nora’s father play in her life? In what ways does his death make her more resistant to the supernatural beings in her life? In what ways does it make her more open to them?

Nora's father, or his absence plays a big role in her life.  She misses him and it seems she'll doing most anything to stay close to what  reminders her of him like the house and his sweaters that she keeps in her closet.  She doesn't tell her mom some of the things going on in her life because Nora's afraid that they'll move. She takes comfort in the fact that she thinks the shadow presence she's felt near her for months is a dad's spirit watching over her and not something more sinister.  Nora is more open to the supernatural because in some ways she wants her dad back so much.

What is Nora's relationship with her mother like? How has her absence played a part in Nora's life? Has their changed in the course of the novel?

It seems like Nora and her mom have a typical teenage daughter/ mother relationship.  Sometimes they have a hard time connecting and talking about things like school and boys. They find comfort in just being together like the night they attempted to make hot chocolate.  Mom's new job and her extended absences have made Nora grow up a little faster - she responsible and able to take care of herself.  It's also made her unafraid to go places and do things by herself.  I don't think their relationship has changed a whole bunch but there is a potential for change. 

[MsReaderCP]

When someone as close to you as a parent dies you life changes forever, even after you heal.  I say that just to say what a huge thing has just happened to Nora within a year.  So it is going to play some part in how she responds, even if I can't be sure what part that is.  I think she will want to be open to supernatural beings so that she can know that there is some kind of afterlife for her father.  I don't remember the book mentioning any kind of faith of church that she had before her dad died, but i finished the book some time ago.  this is the first time I did that and I won't do it again.  I've been having trouble remembering details!!  Anyway, without a religious background she would not have that foundation that's important when you have a crisis and she would be searching for answers, answers that would favor her dad in some way.  If she had that strong foundation, its harder for someone to change that, but being transported to the past by touching someone's wing scars will do it!

this question reminded me of two things that bothered me when I read the book.  One, my father did die when i was younger and i knw that if I did meet someone who even knew people who were in heaven (ex girlfriends - even if they were out to kill me), I would have been pumping for information on my dad, do you know anything about him, Can you find out anything about him?  Just the minimum.  I'd bargain, whatever.  And especially because Patch mentioned that Nora was a descendant on her father's side.  so he knew something about him.  that was her doorway.

This brings us to mom.  I agree with kathy17 that it was all too convenient that mom had an away from hom job.  but even if I get past that.  She got away with going more places without her mom knowing than I thought was believable with the premise in the book that her mom called every night before bed, they were close, etc.  It would have been more believable if her mom had remained working and living in the home, but the death of the father had caused tension between them and she didn't know if she reminded her mother of her father or if her mom just couldn't grieve and be a mom at the same time right now etc..... and she doesn't pay attention to Nora.  I think this is realistic.  People do not know how to communicate with each other after a death in the family.

Just thoughts that bugged me.  So much more that I loved.  I'm highly recommending to friends and family.

[fuzzygemini]

This is perhaps a non-sequiter, but I kept thinking that there was something significant about Nora's father's death....that his death was due to some connection that he had with the supernatural, and that it would tie in with the supernatural beings int he story, but I don't think the question of his death was every answered.  Perhaps future novels will touch on it more.

Nora's mom is absent a lot, and although they have a close relationship, I think Nora takes on much of the parental responsibility herself, which is why she didn't tell her mother any of the things going on that would frighten her mother or make her quit her job.

[Vermontcozy]

After finishing the book today,I came to the conclusion that Nora's Dad has been such a protector of her and her Mom for so long,but with the onset on all of these" others" coming into her life,his powers might have been diminished.,so Patch is sent to help her understand..What?  We have learned enough for now..Nora's resistance is Nora's she is strong willed..will see how this all plays out in 2010...   Her mom is away for a reason..only Nora can take charge of these events..Lots of love between them...I don't know enough.. to feel a change.. V

[Becca-Fitzpatr…]

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Rosei wrote:

I'd love to know a bit more about Nora's father. We know so little about him from the very beginning of the novel and still know so little by the end. He's also kinda of a mystery in the novel; maybe Crescendo (the sequel) brings him up. Surely he has a very special role in Nora's life, because he's the connection with the supernatural atmosphere and beings that she attracts.

On the other hand, Nora and her mother have quite a distant relationship. The need of supporting the house and the daughter makes Blythe very busy and so apart from Nora's feelings, anxieties and danger. But Nora is protective about her mom and avoid to give her unnecessary worries, even if she faces real big problems. They love each other and just want to stay together, but so many different circumstances get them always apart.

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Hi, Rosei!

I noticed you and several others commented on hoping Nora's dad plays a larger role in the sequel and I wanted to assure you it does.  In fact, as the prologue stands at this point, it's told from Harrison's POV, and readers will be taken back to the night he died. 

Becca

[Becca-Fitzpatr…]

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Kathy17 wrote:

This isn't a response to the question posed per se, but I just want to add that, for me, the familial relationships (or lack thereof) were the weakest part of the book for me. It's just way too convenient that Nora's dad is dead and that her mother is never around. What kind of teen is afforded the freedom to galavant around at all hours of the day and night like Nora is? And the housekeeper that was introduced to explain away that situation at the beginning--where exactly is she later in the book? I know this is fiction and I should suspend imagination (which I did for the supernatural parts just fine) but when you add realistic aspects to such a story, I think they should actually be realistic.

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Good points, Kathy.  I did want to point out that Nora's father's death wasn't meant to be convenient - it actually plays an important role in the second book.  (But looking back, I do agree that Nora's mother is gone way too often.)  However, that said, I think it's important to realize that many teens are left alone quite often.  Growing up, I had a friend who rarely saw her parents.  Yes, it's sad, but for some teens, it's reality. 

[liisa22]

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rkubie wrote:

What role does Nora’s father play in her life? In what ways does his death make her more resistant to the supernatural beings in her life? In what ways does it make her more open to them?

What is Nora's relationship with her mother like? How has her absence played a part in Nora's life? Has their changed in the course of the novel?

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I think Nora's father's death impacted her in more ways than we have been shown.  On page 189 her mother said, " You've always been so much like him, right from the start."  That line really jumped out at me as significant.  I think that when her father died, she inherited (so to speak), some of his resistance, him being more Nephilim.  I think it makes her more open to fallen angels (or ANY angels) scoping her out.

Nora's relationship with her mom is pretty open, I think.  Nora has never given her mother a reason NOT to trust her, and therefore feel comfortable enough to leave her for a length of time.  I can't imagine a parent(s) leaving their teenager at home alone.  Maybe for one night, but not for several.  This coming from a mother who had a 'good' daughter (for the most part).   I think is holding back more than has been let on so far.

[marciliogq]

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Vermontcozy wrote:

After finishing the book today,I came to the conclusion that Nora's Dad has been such a protector of her and her Mom for so long,but with the onset on all of these" others" coming into her life,his powers might have been diminished.,so Patch is sent to help her understand..What?  We have learned enough for now..Nora's resistance is Nora's she is strong willed..will see how this all plays out in 2010...   Her mom is away for a reason..only Nora can take charge of these events..Lots of love between them...I don't know enough.. to feel a change.. V

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VTC,

I do agree with you point of view. I see there's a broad-infinite love between Nora and her mother. They have moments of accomplicity which show us how important they are each other. Her mother calls her too many times, perhaps trying to fill both of the spaces Nora has for her father's death and her mother's absence. I also agree Patch could be a kind of angel at the beginning of the book, but as my reading followed I saw him as persecutor. I think there are too many ways to protect someone and he chose a shock treatment. We know Nora is a bit spoiled, but living alone can possibly give her a possibility to be a mature person and reflect better about how important is to love someone, live or dead and being loved.

[Vermontcozy]

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marciliogq wrote:

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Vermontcozy wrote:

After finishing the book today,I came to the conclusion that Nora's Dad has been such a protector of her and her Mom for so long,but with the onset on all of these" others" coming into her life,his powers might have been diminished.,so Patch is sent to help her understand..What?  We have learned enough for now..Nora's resistance is Nora's she is strong willed..will see how this all plays out in 2010...   Her mom is away for a reason..only Nora can take charge of these events..Lots of love between them...I don't know enough.. to feel a change.. V

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VTC,

I do agree with you point of view. I see there's a broad-infinite love between Nora and her mother. They have moments of accomplicity which show us how important they are each other. Her mother calls her too many times, perhaps trying to fill both of the spaces Nora has for her father's death and her mother's absence. I also agree Patch could be a kind of angel at the beginning of the book, but as my reading followed I saw him as persecutor. I think there are too many ways to protect someone and he chose a shock treatment. We know Nora is a bit spoiled, but living alone can possibly give her a possibility to be a mature person and reflect better about how important is to love someone, live or dead and being loved.

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M....It will be interesting to see how they all mature in 2010..BTW  It is translated into Portuguese..Emily,Becca's editor mentioned it .If you go on simonandschuster.com .her Publisher,.., they mention the Name of the Publishing House in Brazil,I believe,lots of info concerning the Hush,Hush that we love..V

[Kathy17]

Thanks for responding, Becca. Even though the lack of adult supervision didn't quite work for me, I understand it was necessary for the story to achieve its culmination. I've been reading more about the sequel as I'm going through the site and I'm very glad that Nora's dad's story will unfold there. I think that will be very interesting.

[debbook]

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Becca-Fitzpatrick wrote:

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Rosei wrote:

I'd love to know a bit more about Nora's father. We know so little about him from the very beginning of the novel and still know so little by the end. He's also kinda of a mystery in the novel; maybe Crescendo (the sequel) brings him up. Surely he has a very special role in Nora's life, because he's the connection with the supernatural atmosphere and beings that she attracts.

On the other hand, Nora and her mother have quite a distant relationship. The need of supporting the house and the daughter makes Blythe very busy and so apart from Nora's feelings, anxieties and danger. But Nora is protective about her mom and avoid to give her unnecessary worries, even if she faces real big problems. They love each other and just want to stay together, but so many different circumstances get them always apart.

---

Hi, Rosei!

I noticed you and several others commented on hoping Nora's dad plays a larger role in the sequel and I wanted to assure you it does.  In fact, as the prologue stands at this point, it's told from Harrison's POV, and readers will be taken back to the night he died. 

Becca

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Oh, good!!!

[debbook]

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liisa22 wrote:

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rkubie wrote:

What role does Nora’s father play in her life? In what ways does his death make her more resistant to the supernatural beings in her life? In what ways does it make her more open to them?

What is Nora's relationship with her mother like? How has her absence played a part in Nora's life? Has their changed in the course of the novel?

---

I think Nora's father's death impacted her in more ways than we have been shown.  On page 189 her mother said, " You've always been so much like him, right from the start."  That line really jumped out at me as significant.  I think that when her father died, she inherited (so to speak), some of his resistance, him being more Nephilim.  I think it makes her more open to fallen angels (or ANY angels) scoping her out.

Nora's relationship with her mom is pretty open, I think.  Nora has never given her mother a reason NOT to trust her, and therefore feel comfortable enough to leave her for a length of time.  I can't imagine a parent(s) leaving their teenager at home alone.  Maybe for one night, but not for several.  This coming from a mother who had a 'good' daughter (for the most part).   I think is holding back more than has been let on so far.

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I think it works with the relationship Nora and her mom have, plus their situation, single working mom. Lots of parents don't have that choice.