Living In Two Times

[Rachel-K]

We open briefly on the scene of a child's sickbed in early Salem, and her exhausted, frightened father, who is turning to stranger for help.

We then move quickly from this to Connie's qualifying exams, 300 years later! A very different room!

What is the effect of this shift in scenes? Which captures your imagination most? How does the scene of an academic exam manage to capture real tension?

How comfortable are you moving back and forth in time between the 1680s and the 1990s?

Are you finding any similarities between these two worlds?

[januttall]

I'm really enjoying the transitions between the two time periods, much to Katherine Howe's credit.  I love her descriptive manner of writing - I find myself really completely caught up in the scene (as if I'm a fly on the wall, so to speak). 

In both time periods, the female characters are subjected to verbal scrutinization by their peers.

[kren250]

I think it shows how very different the two times are! Back in 1681, a woman going to college would've been unthinkable. Actually anybody going to college back then would've been highly unusual unless they were from the gentry class.

The scene with the man, his sick daughter, and the "cunning woman" captured my attention the most.

I think the scene with the oral exam managed to show the tension so well because it's such a big fear of all of us! Having to be quizzed in front of others, and the fear of failing.

I'm fairly comfortable with the switch between times. It's easy to keep track of the characters, and keep the stories straight. I'm not feeling I'm really back in the "old days" though when I read the flashbacks. I like to feel I'm right there in historical fiction, and I'm not feeling it with this book. Maybe because the interludes are so short.

[krb2g]

I think the text does a great job of keeping the movement between times relevant (that is, the story of Connie's discoveries doesn't outpace the unfolding of the narrative as these stories happen, or the reverse) and also of building tension--often the switch happens just as I'm entirely caught up in the other story. I also like the balance of more modern parts--it keeps our readerly attention on the fact that this story isn't just about what happened to one of the accused witches, but also about how you learn about and excavate the past.

[scarpettajunkie]

The effect of shifting from the sickroom to the oral examination is one of compare and contrast.  It effectively shines the spotlight on the tension Deliverance is feeling to that of Connie who is not sure of passing her test.  It also ups the tension in the oral exam because what we were feeling for Deliverance we transfer to Connie.

On the first read, I would say the oral exam caught my attention most because I was so focused on Connie's answers and learning from them.  But on answering these questions it is the sickroom where my heart lies because I feel such worry over the child.

There was real tension because Connie was in a chair facing a buch of her "betters".  She was going over in her mind who was on her side and who had nothing to lose in grading her.  Any question could come out of their mouths.  Did she remember all she was taught?  Was this the end of her dreams?  By Connie thinking these things it makes the chapter real and not just words on a page.

I am not having any trouble compartmentalizing the two stories.  It is just different threads that make the whole garment, so to speak for you knitters out there.  It will all work out in the end (I keep telling myself).

[amajor]

The early scene in Salem attracts my attention most, because the worry for the child is very real to me.  However, the tension of the exam is something I believe that we have all felt in our lives, maybe not to that extent.

I think the transition works well and I move easily between times when reading.

[dhaupt]

I'm not having any trouble traveling between two times in this book, the author makes the switch very smoothly.

I am really impressed at how the author takes her readers into her scenes, an example in the exam room with Connie I can feel her anxiousness by the authors descriptions of her actions, her hand movements, her playing with her hair etc..

I also like the drawers in her mind theory of remembering 

[luvmykiddos]

I have had no issues with going back and forth between the two times. I think Ms. Howe did a great job seemlessly going taking us here and there. When we are taken back it's at appropriate times ie: giving us more and more background so we can understand Connie and things she is doing better.

As I read I find my body getting tense as I'm ready about Connies exams and encounters esp. with Professor Chilton. I think that speaks about the authors ability to relay feelings and draw a reader in.

Now and forever, people are uncomfortable with things they don't know and don't like. Back in the 1600-1700's ,like what we're reading, it happens to be witches and healing. They had to have an explanation for what was going on. And if there wasn't one readily (logically) available they created one. Connie has her own issues with things that don't adjust to the norm, like her mom's way of living. She has a love for things that can be historically proven that are tangable. I'm wondering if her ability to be openminded will grow.

[debbook]

I like the way the author moves between past and present. After I read the prologue and started chapter one, i didn't look at the top to see the date. So when Chilton says " we aren't finished with you, Connie Goodwin" ( I don't have the boook with me, that might not be exact) I though it was still in the past and she was another witch being questioned. Of course then it was made clear in the next few sentences that is was in the present, but that was my initial impression.

[mooks]

I thought that the time shifts seamless and easy to follow.

The tension in the academic scene was well done. I was struck by the descriptions of the scrambling to open compartments of knowledge, the gauging whether all the questions were done, the reactions, expressions and motivations of the panel.   I found myself identifying with Connie and rooting for her.

I agree with previous observations that the description of the orals in front of the panel was reminscent of the trial scene.  

I like Deliverance and am hoping to read more about her soon. 

[gl]

I also found the time shifts well done and seamless.  The start of the book was great - Katherine Howe made Deliverance a sympathetic character from the start and I found myself worrying about her and rooting for her right away. I had hoped for more information on Deliverance and her daughter early in the book, but it sounds like it will be meted out slowly between descriptions of Connie and her findings.

I thought that the academic scene was well done too and the relationship between Connie and her mother Grace was set out clearly early in the book. I find her mother quite frustrating though and am hoping that her mother is more caring than she seems.  Hopefully, her mother is hiding some secret and is still very much interested in all aspects of her daughter's life and not just having her daughter handle things for her.

[floreader]

     I think the author has done a good job shifting between the time periods.  The prologue really drew me in to what it was like living in the 1600's and to have a sick child without traditional doctors and medicine.  I felt Petford's helplessness and desperation.  He had no choice but to rely on a stranger who had a reputation as a healer.

     I felt real tension while Connie was taking her oral exam.  If she got one wrong answer or didn't go into enough depth on the topics, she could have failed.  I liked that she was smart, well prepared, and exuded confidence before the committee. 

     What captured my imagination the most in the beginning of the story was Chilton's remark to Connie that it's important to uncover a new source for her project.  When he said it, he had a "serpentine" look in his eyes.  This made me feel that he was going to be an evil force in the story and he had ulterior motives.  I thought he wanted her to uncover a new source so that he could ride on her coattails and get credit for being her mentor.  A few chapters later, Connie finds Chilton having a heated discussion on the phone about a project for the Colonial Association.  I then started to think he was under pressure to come up with something exciting for the Association and that maybe he will wind up stealing Connie's findings if she uncovers a new source.

[DSaff]

I am very comfortable moving between the two times and am finding that the movement is allowing me to see commonalities between the characters. In both worlds we have a strong woman who is being compelled to stand up for her beliefs/work. Both are questioned strongly by men, and both could lose everything they have worked for based on the outcome of the "trial." I found high tension in both settings, and while we know that Connie made it through with flying colors, we don't yet know what the verdict was with Deliverance. The Interludes are fabulous and shed light on Deliverance's world.

[liisa22]

I have no issues with the time shifts. I feel that they are done seemlessly, without giving too much information.  I like being able to compare Deliverance and Mercy with Grace and Connie.

[CathyB]

I find no problems with the shifting times. It is done rather well. I believe that although the time periods are shifting, there is a similarity in the situations/emotional aspects that are happening. Kind of like history repeating itself (i.e. the tension) but, not item for item. 

Personally, I like the scenes from the 1680s better. I think it is the subject matter of being present during those times as opposed to looking at that time from a historians point of view - which is what we get with Connie's research. The 'present' is presented well and it does not lose my interest.

I don't really feel the tension of the exam. I know it exists and I have felt it myself during oral exams and presentations of any form. While reading this scene, I think I distanced myself from it and did not 'feel' it as it is a very unpleasant experience.

cathyB

Message Edited by CathyB on 03-30-2009 12:30 PM

[DSaff]

I, too, felt that Chilton's heated phone call dealt with Connie, but went a different way. I am thinking that maybe he has promised a new discovery from his prodigy, an original source. Either one could work.

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floreader wrote:
     What captured my imagination the most in the beginning of the story was Chilton's remark to Connie that it's important to uncover a new source for her project.  When he said it, he had a "serpentine" look in his eyes.  This made me feel that he was going to be an evil force in the story and he had ulterior motives.  I thought he wanted her to uncover a new source so that he could ride on her coattails and get credit for being her mentor.  A few chapters later, Connie finds Chilton having a heated discussion on the phone about a project for the Colonial Association.  I then started to think he was under pressure to come up with something exciting for the Association and that maybe he will wind up stealing Connie's findings if she uncovers a new source.

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[bookowlie]

I think the story moves effortlessly between time periods.  The events in the 1600's are unfolding a little at a time, while Connie is slowly discovering information in the present.  There are some similarities in the characters.  Connie is a strong, smart woman who is able to stand up to the committee during her oral exam and answer the questions with confidence.  She was well prepared for the exam and she knew it.  She didn't show any fear to the professors on the committee.  Deliverance is a strong woman who speaks confidently and with dignity at the trial against Petford.

What captured my interest in the beginning of the story was Chilton.  Something is suspicious about him.  He had a serpentine gleam in his eye when he advised Connie to find a new source for her thesis project.  I think he knows she is very smart and wants to benefit himself from anything new she finds.  I am wondering whether he will steal her work if she uncovers something new.  I initially thought he might even have some information about Connie's family past.  I think he is going to be a malevolent character in the story.

[emmagrace]

The shift in scenes shows us how very different things were in the 1680's!

The scene in Salem captured my imagination the most. I was picturing the house and all of the characters. I could really feel the pain and fear that Peter Petford felt for his daughter, Martha. I found myself caught up in the story and craving for more.

I could truly feel Connie's anxiety in during her exam. I kept praying that she would pass her exam.

It was a comfortable switch between times for me. Katherine Howe transitions well between the times.

[jabrkeKB]

I am not having a problem moving between the two time periods. I feel as if I am moving down two  parallel roads that will eventually meet. I am enjoying the 1680 time period story more at this point.

I can certainly empathize with Connie and the oral exam tension she was feeling. I'm glad she passed.

[C-c-a]

The oral exam scene captured my imagination. I could sense the tension in the room and was anxious to read Connie's responses.

I am comfortable with the shift between the two time periods. The story is very easy to follow.