Middle Chapters, 10 - 19

[Zeal]

Meridia is a fascinating character who continuously overcomes one obstacle after another.  She was not raised with “love” in the traditional sense, yet she has learned to love and give fully of herself.  The growth that Meridia experiences in these chapters would be insurmountable to most people.  She almost instinctively knows what she needs to do in order to “survive.”  Yet, it is more than survival.  Meridia will settle for nothing but the best for her family and will not let anyone, especially Eva, stand in the way of her family’s happiness.  She is intelligent, courageous, opportunistic, and a complete “go getter.”  Meridia is not going to stand for Eva’s bees and will not allow her or them to control her life.

 

Daniel, on the other hand, tries his best, but always falls just a little short.  I find myself cheering him on, but know that due to Eva’s power (which she has used his whole life), he is bound to fail at times (after all, no one is perfect).  I believe he truly wants to do what is best, but has trouble cutting those strings.  Daniel has lived more of his life with Eva than Meridia (and Eva’s influence is beyond strong).  I also believe that Daniel is truly committed and in love with Meridia, but has trouble dispelling the “truths” of his childhood.  He has been kept in the dark and lied to for so long by Eva that he does not know any different. 

 I am continually fascinated by Meridia’s ability to rise above all of the obstacles in her life.  She did not come from a loving family, but seems to have a desire to rise above her own childhood and create something better for herself and her new family.  This happens in life.  It always amazes me how some people can find the strength to do exactly as Meridia is doing, and others fall victims of their circumstances.  Where does the inner strength of some come from?

[abicreasmom]

At first I thought that Daniel's family was going to be perfect for Meridia, perhaps giving her all the love and kindness that one receives from their own family. I was a bit afraid that Eva's sweetness was all an act and I my intuition was correct. She has turned out to be such a "devil"; almost to the point that I dread when she comes into the story.

I was so proud of Ravenna and Gabriel when they stood up to Daniel's family; they actually demonstrated an ability to care for Meridia. I love the way that Ravenna has finally begin to play a mother to Meridia. 

I like how the different scents of the flowers are associated with the two mothers. When Meridia smells verbena she knows that her mother is not far away and when she smells roses, Eva is unfortunately in the area. 

I still do not understand who or what Hannah is in this story. However, I feel that she comes around at just the perfect moments in Meridia's life. I am looking forward to discovering the answer to the Hannah questions.

[PiperMurphy]

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Zeal wrote:

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chris227 wrote:

Initially I wanted to like Daniel's family, hoping that they would give Meridia a better life than she had with her own parents.  I was a little weary of Eva because of the introduction to the book but I had absolutely no clue that she would turn out to be so evil!!  Malin I was weary of but in the end she ended up being the one to show Meridia the truth and now is "in awe of her."  For Daniel I have many mixed emotions, loved him but wanted Meridia to be cautious of him, hated him when he didn't go after Meridia, but then love him again, knowing he attempted to go after her but was held back by his father.  He is redeeming himself by not giving in to Eva now that they live on Willow Street.

Meridia changed greatly in these chapters.  I no longer picture her as a little girl.  She has learned to stand up for herself and others.  She is no longer invisible.

Ravenna actually seemed like a good mother at the end of this section.  She stuck up for her daughter (I loved it when she slapped Eva across the face!!), welcomed her back home, and thwarts Eva's attempts to hurt Meridia.  She stood by and cared for Meridia through the birth like she had been there for her her whole life.  Gabriel was growing on me when he initially confronted Eva and Elias but again showed his true colors by telling Meridia she would no longer be welcomed in his house if she returned to Daniel.

The scents work on the same level as the mists and the bees.  The roses are Eva's evil working to suffocate Meridia during the night, preventing her sleep.  The Verbana is Ravenna's good (who would have thought?) preventing Eva's presence and evil. 

The Willow Street home was initially dark and dirty but it seems Meridia and Daniel have changed it into a welcoming home, full of love.  I hopes the home would protect Meridia in some ways but the birth scene makes it seem that this isn't so.

Hannah appears again to show Meridia how to get customers for her store.  She gives Meridia strength and courage and shows her what to do.  She is definitely more than just an imaginary friend although more and more she definitely doesn't seem real.  A guardian angel, maybe?  But then where was she during Meridia's time on Orchard St.? 

The birth stories so far have been Meridia's and her son's.  Neither of these was good stories.  The midwife having written Meridia off for dead and both Meridia and her son almost dying.  It makes me worry about Noah's fate.

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Very well thought through response!  I like the idea of Hanna being a Guardian Angel to Meridia.  I was thinking some kind of conscience??  Hanna does seem to show up just when Meridia needs help, and she seems to solve most of Meridia's problems or lead Meridia to her own conclusions that result in future success.  I don't think Hanna is imaginary, but she certainly isn't completely human either.  I wonder if her true essence will be revealed by the end of the novel.

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I agree that Hannah may be a Guardian Angel. I reread the sections where Hannah appears and that seems to be a plausible explanation. I believe that she is very real to Meridia whether anyone else can see her. That would explain the existance of the letters because the two of them have a physical relationship. That may indicate that while Hannah may not be human, she has a presence that appears to be real. It isn't clear to me whether other people like her teacher and classmates could see her. That may be open to our own interpretation.

[biljounc63]

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abicreasmom wrote:

At first I thought that Daniel's family was going to be perfect for Meridia, perhaps giving her all the love and kindness that one receives from their own family. I was a bit afraid that Eva's sweetness was all an act and I my intuition was correct. She has turned out to be such a "devil"; almost to the point that I dread when she comes into the story.

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I knew that all would not be good fir Meridia. Daniel's family came way too early in the book to live happily ever after....

[Immortal-Spirit]

I am so surprised at how Gabriel defended Meridia. And the confession he made to Meridia about not wanting her in his life was out of character for him.  It may have been to save face, but the lengths he went to made me think differently of him.  Ravenna's reaction to her daughter leaving also surprised me. 

Daniel's family seemed to good to be true.  I especially thought trouble wasn't too far behind when the day after Meridia and Daniel got married, Eva put her to work like a slave. And the dowry...also trouble. 

I had a feeling Hannah would show up again.  I don't believe she actually exists. She's like a make believe friend a child has when they are lonely.  She needed something and someone and out popped Hannah. Although I do believe Meridia knows she's not real, but wants her to be. That is why she didn't read the letter she left but did not throw it out either. 

Both Meridia and Noah were "stubborn" in coming out.  There were complications with both. Like mother, like daughter. I don't know the circumstances of Meridia's birth, but I do believe that she believed in the curse Eva put on her. 

Meridia isn't so gullible and so willing to please anymore. She was so determined to fit in, she almost lost herself in the process. 

What I find about Willow Street is that is seems to come alive when Raveena visits. As if it knows she means no harm. As for Eva, time will tell.

The roses I associate with bad and evil. And the bees. The verbena (as stated above) is associated with Ravenna and is a good sign.   

[lisaterwilliger]

As far as the bees are concerned, I sort of had in my mind that they weren't actually buzzing around in a physical way, per se. It's just that Eva is so relentless and nagging and horrible that her personaility is like that of bees. Her family feels like they've been attacked by bees once she's through with them.

Also, the verdict is still out for me on what I think of the women of this story - are they strong? Are they meek? Can they survive one another? The women are much meaner to each other than the men are to themselves or the women.

[hookedonbooks09]

Oh, I think Ravenna could handle the job quite nicely!  She has moved into "one of my favorite characters in the book" category. 

Actually, I'm starting to think the characters shift as much as the steps did in the beginning of the book!

---Barb

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DSaff wrote:

I love the Raid comment! I wonder if Ravenna will do the honors, or if Meridia, Daniel, or Elias will. 

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hookedonbooks09 wrote:

Those stinking bees!  So nobody has a spare can of Raid?!  And while they're at it, a nice squirt in the face for Missy Eva isn't a bad idea!

Okay, I feel better now.  :-) 

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[JaneM]

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lisaterwilliger wrote:

As far as the bees are concerned, I sort of had in my mind that they weren't actually buzzing around in a physical way, per se. It's just that Eva is so relentless and nagging and horrible that her personaility is like that of bees. Her family feels like they've been attacked by bees once she's through with them.

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I agree.  I never had an image of bees that might sting, but rather an incessant buzzing noise, like cicadas, and that the words Eva uses are so overpowering that they seem like the buzzing of bees which escalates in intensity in conjunction with Eva's outpouring of malicious talk.  In fact, I now have an internal fear that sometimes I may have bees if I nag my husband too much! 

[Lil_Irish_Lass]

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JaneM wrote:

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lisaterwilliger wrote:

As far as the bees are concerned, I sort of had in my mind that they weren't actually buzzing around in a physical way, per se. It's just that Eva is so relentless and nagging and horrible that her personaility is like that of bees. Her family feels like they've been attacked by bees once she's through with them.

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I agree.  I never had an image of bees that might sting, but rather an incessant buzzing noise, like cicadas, and that the words Eva uses are so overpowering that they seem like the buzzing of bees which escalates in intensity in conjunction with Eva's outpouring of malicious talk.  In fact, I now have an internal fear that sometimes I may have bees if I nag my husband too much! 

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Yet while in labor, Meridia (at least appeared to) have very real reactions to "invisible" bee stings... especially in a moment where Eva was not verbally harassing. Eva was described as standing the room silent other than the look on her face while Meridia's body was being attacked and swarmed by bees until Ravenna noticed and shooed them away.

[lmpmn]

One thing I noticed in these later chapters was how the mists seemed to be protecting Meridia instead of thwarting her.  The mists shooed Daniel away when he came to try to win her back.  When she was living in her mother and father's house, the mists seemed to be stopping her from doing the things she wanted.  However, maybe they were protecting her all along.  For example, they'd wrap up her father so she couldn't see him coming and going to and from his mistress's home.  This could be seen as protecting her from that knowledge (although she found out anyway from learning her mother's secret language).

[maude40]

This story reads like a fairy tale to  me. It was so good to see Meridia and Daniel back together again, but it seems they won't be able to live happily ever after with the witch Eva still in the picture. She is one of the most evil, brutal characters I've read about in a book for a long time( and I read alot of books.) I can't believe how infuriating she is, I just want to banish her from their lives. Yvonne

[maude40]

It was interesting on page 159 that the parents took total control over Meridia and Daniel's life when they separated. "More arguments followed, more vituperative exchanges, during which noone noticed that the newlyweds themselves were silent." Yvonne

[DSaff]

I agree and think there is more to Ravenna than initially thought. She seems to be coming out of her shell, or coccoon.

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hookedonbooks09 wrote:

Oh, I think Ravenna could handle the job quite nicely!  She has moved into "one of my favorite characters in the book" category. 

Actually, I'm starting to think the characters shift as much as the steps did in the beginning of the book!

---Barb

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DSaff wrote:

I love the Raid comment! I wonder if Ravenna will do the honors, or if Meridia, Daniel, or Elias will. 

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[lmpmn]

I find it very interesting that in these chapters at least 3 names that I've noticed are biblical names: Noah, Leah, and Rebecca.  Eva is pretty close to Eve as other posters have mentioned.

Well now that I think about it, Daniel, Hannah, and Elias are all biblical names.  Plus you could count the angel Gabriel too.

[DSaff]

True, but it could also be possible that Ravenna saw how much Eva was upsetting Meridia, and started to calm her as only a mother can. That is speculation and I hope we get the answer as we read on.

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Lil_Irish_Lass wrote:

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Yet while in labor, Meridia (at least appeared to) have very real reactions to "invisible" bee stings... especially in a moment where Eva was not verbally harassing. Eva was described as standing the room silent other than the look on her face while Meridia's body was being attacked and swarmed by bees until Ravenna noticed and shooed them away.

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[maude40]

I didn't like Malin at first, the way she treated Meridia. But she endeared herself to me when she showed that all she wanted was Meridia to stand up against Eva. Noone ever had and she couldn't, being the daughter who had to live with her. Meridia showed Malin how brave she was and Malin changed her feelings. Yvonne

[DSaff]

Isn't it true to life - people don't seem to notice what is going on around them when they are passionately arguing.

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maude40 wrote:
It was interesting on page 159 that the parents took total control over Meridia and Daniel's life when they separated. "More arguments followed, more vituperative exchanges, during which noone noticed that the newlyweds themselves were silent." Yvonne

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[JerseyAngel]

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lmpmn wrote:

I find it very interesting that in these chapters at least 3 names that I've noticed are biblical names: Noah, Leah, and Rebecca.  Eva is pretty close to Eve as other posters have mentioned.

Well now that I think about it, Daniel, Hannah, and Elias are all biblical names.  Plus you could count the angel Gabriel too.

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Someone asked Erick how he picked the names & he said he chose them from the bible. It's the very first post on this link Re: Questions for Erick Setiawan? (Names)

[lmpmn]

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maude40 wrote:
This story reads like a fairy tale to  me. It was so good to see Meridia and Daniel back together again, but it seems they won't be able to live happily ever after with the witch Eva still in the picture. She is one of the most evil, brutal characters I've read about in a book for a long time( and I read alot of books.) I can't believe how infuriating she is, I just want to banish her from their lives. Yvonne

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maude40, I completely agree.  I have one of the most intense dislikes of this character that I have ever felt reading a book.  Even feeling as I do, I still do not want to believe that she was cruel enough to have crippled poor Patina's feet and legs with a stone from her own child's grave.  For a woman to have been able to pick up a huge part of grave stone and bring it down brutally on the woman who saved her life and raised he...  I just cannot imagine it.

[lmpmn]

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JerseyAngel wrote:

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lmpmn wrote:

I find it very interesting that in these chapters at least 3 names that I've noticed are biblical names: Noah, Leah, and Rebecca.  Eva is pretty close to Eve as other posters have mentioned.

Well now that I think about it, Daniel, Hannah, and Elias are all biblical names.  Plus you could count the angel Gabriel too.

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Someone asked Erick how he picked the names & he said he chose them from the bible. It's the very first post on this link Re: Questions for Erick Setiawan? (Names)

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OMG!  Thanks for pointing that out JerseyAngel!  I haven't read any threads other than the chapter threads because I didn't want to read any spoilers.    I probably would have ended up asking him that!