Living In Two Times

[Aradanryl]

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kren250 wrote:

 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.

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I felt the same.. It doesn't stop me from enjoying the story but I do find it reduces my engagement in the story. 

[Aradanryl]

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scarpettajunkie wrote:

  She was going over in her mind who was on her side and who had nothing to lose in grading her. 

But on answering these questions it is the sickroom where my heart lies because I feel such worry over the child.

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I did find it interesting the role Janine Silva played during the interview, secretly giving thumbs up signs to encourage Connie.  Having described Janine's interest in Connie's career as "somewhat motherly", especially when contrasted with Grace's lack of concern, made me wonder if Janine will possibly be the rescuing mom to Chilton's possible evilness.  It almost seems Connie had a  "girls against the guys" mindset.  I agree, the author did portray the scene well.  

It was the frightened father that played on my emotions the most, he was so desperate that he accepted the arrival of Deliverance Dane and her actions even though it was clear he believed he was doing wrong.  I really felt a lot of conflicting emotions.  

[Aradanryl]

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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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When I too read the part about Chilton, the lines between story and real-life blurred a sec . My "alarm" went off both there and later during the phone conversation.   Maybe I'm more related to the motherly Janine than I thought since I wanted to nudge Connie and suggest she watch out for that one.   

I cynically leapt to the conclusion you ultimately did, that he is going to try to steal her findings   Hope I'm wrong.

[Thayer]

The fact that I (and so many others whom have posted) am very comfortable with the time shifts speak to Ms. Howe's remarkable talent. To me, it doesn't even feel like a "shift" in reading but merely another thread that ensnares me in the web she is weaving.

What I found engaging early on was the conflict of emotion of the characters. Peter's desperation at his daughter's illness as he grapples with his faith as he is powerless to help her. He trys to condone Martha's illness by figuring out sins committed by himself or his daughter. "Illness, he knew was the sign of the Lord's disfavor." As a mother I can relate to his feeling of desperation. (p. 5)  "He did not ask for his daughter's redemption. He just begged for her to be well." and then the guilt he felt for questioning his faith..."confronting this spectacle of his own selfishness filled Peter with anger and shame."

The range of emotion is also felt as Connie gives her oral exam. Her anxiety and worry during her exam are palpable even though she is obviously capable and prepared. The author does a wonderful job of exhibiting the character's strength and vulnerability. I also found it interesting the way Connie reviewed the "mental file cabinets in her brain" to find information on witchcraft which was filed under "F for folk religion." Ms. Howe makes it very easy to relate to her characters in one way or another, which makes you just wanna keep reading to see what's next.

[Aradanryl]

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aprilh wrote:

I may be way off track here, but did anyone else see a parallel between the sun beam slowly disappearing in Connie's exam room and the eventual death of Martha?

 

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Interesting observation!   I didn't see it when I read it but thanks for bringing the idea forth..it definitely is something to think about.

[Aradanryl]

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rkubie wrote:

Which captures your imagination most?

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I'm a little embarrassed to admit but Goodman Dane's description and  testimony has been tickling the edges of my mind since I read it.  He loves his wife and can see where everything is leading.  I stopped reading for a bit to sigh. 

[TRJ4SQ]

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Aradanryl wrote:

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aprilh wrote:

I may be way off track here, but did anyone else see a parallel between the sun beam slowly disappearing in Connie's exam room and the eventual death of Martha?

 

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Interesting observation!   I didn't see it when I read it but thanks for bringing the idea forth..it definitely is something to think about.

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I originally saw this post and wanted to comment but I lost it. Thanks for helping me find it again!

[TRJ4SQ]

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aprilh wrote:

Deaver, your mention of the beam of sunlight slowly disappearing through Connie's exams made me think of something. I may be way off track here, but did anyone else see a parallel between the sun beam slowly disappearing in Connie's exam room and the eventual death of Martha? It seemed to me that after the last bit of sunlight disappered from the exam room that we discover (in the next Interlude) that Deliverance was unable to cure Martha, resulting in the child's death. The sunlight vanishing and the child dying ended with the same result. Both being extinguished. Who knows? Just something to think about.

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Aprilh, This is a GREAT analogy of metaphor. Thanks for bringing it to light! I didn't catch this but after you mentioned it, I started to notice similar metaphors throughout the book. It's really enhanced the reading experience. Sooo...Thanks again!

[Jo6353]

I think that the mingling of the 2 time periods is very well done.  We get to learn the events first hand along with Connie instead of having Connie narrate them to us. This approach makes the story that much more captivating. Jo

[lmpmn]

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Aradanryl wrote:

I did find it interesting the role Janine Silva played during the interview, secretly giving thumbs up signs to encourage Connie.  Having described Janine's interest in Connie's career as "somewhat motherly", especially when contrasted with Grace's lack of concern, made me wonder if Janine will possibly be the rescuing mom to Chilton's possible evilness.  It almost seems Connie had a  "girls against the guys" mindset.  I agree, the author did portray the scene well.  

It was the frightened father that played on my emotions the most, he was so desperate that he accepted the arrival of Deliverance Dane and her actions even though it was clear he believed he was doing wrong.  I really felt a lot of conflicting emotions.  

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I'm also waiting to see if Janine will show up to help Connie in some way.

I see a similarity in the way Connie is trying to carve out her own place in the academic world of Harvard dominated by men, and the life of Deliverance Dane.  I see her as a female healer suppressed and misunderstood because of ignorance, superstition, and fear of women gaining power during that time.

[jennaml]

It's interesting to read these comments- I actually went to visit in Salem about 3 weeks ago or so.  It was much different than the idea I had formed in my mind of what it would look like.  It is pretty interesting to think of all of the events that happened hundreds of years ago and then go to the same place and see that it is really completely changed.  I guess it's the romantic in me to want to see things just as they had been during that time period, but of course that isn't the way it is...!

[bud12]

I think of Chilton not as a warlock but as a judge in one of the witch trials. He does help Connie to think things through, but will he be against her in the end? The shifting between the times adds interest to the story and moving to the 1991 allows the reader to gain needed information in a shorter time than if it had to be discovered back in the time of the wirches.

[skiibunny1213]

I really like the shift between past and present in this novel.  It adds variation and builds suspense, which I really like.  Additionally, questions you have from one chapter end up being answered in another chapter in the past or future.  It really enhances the feeling that although it is hundreds of years apart, it is not a tale of two separate stories, but rather of one story.  For me the 1680s chapters captured my imagination best at first, especially because of Howe's use of the old english spelling when characters were talking.  However, as the story progressed, for me Connie came more alive for me and the gap between the ages/years seemed to grow smaller and smaller. 

[m3girl]

After only reading the first seven chapters - I have to say that I have no problems jumping back and forth between the time periods.  The transitions are done well - with something being resolved and then something new coming up in the current time before we switch to the other time period.  Makes me want to keep reading - even way past my 'bedtime'.

susan 

[Sassy398]

 I Love the change  back and forth between times. This book is definately awesome.

 In my opinion this book should be on the best sellers list in no time. The novel has me

 captivated enough  to make read on and not be bored for one moment.

[ReadingPatti]

I am really liking this book. I like Katherine's writing. I think she does a seamless transition from the 1600's to the 1990's. Sometimes you just don't see it. I keep wondering what kind of treasures Connie is going to find and what Deliverance has done.

So far, I am a little behind but will get cuaght up.

I just got to where Connie found the note in the Bible and I have started the case Deliverance has brought against the gentleman. I wonder what is going to happe.

I think that Katherine is a very good writer. Has she written anything else? Is so, I would read it.

I really enjoy reading everyone's comments on this book.

I am glad I joined this club.

ReadingPatti

[vmann]

The effect that shift in the scene is that the reader can see that there is a similarity between the times. Both of these scenes are very important in the lives of the characters that it is describing.

I was very comfortable with the shifts between times. I knew that there would be shifts in time when I first read the cover. There though were a few times that I got confused to when the scenes with Deliverance and Mercy were taking place and I had to go back to the beginning of the chapter to figure it out.

There were many similarities between the two worlds. They both lived in a society so there are of course societal values and norms. We are all human so regardless the time there will be similarities.

[mattzay]

In the opening, we are given the background of Deliverance Dane and her attempt to heal Martha, Goodman Petford's daughter. This is important in order to understand what happens to Deliverance Dane.

We are then introduced to Connie, who is facing her own kind of trial. She is trying to enter the Phd. program. Coincidentally, she has to answer questions about the Salem witch trials. This lays the groundwork for us to understand her deep involvement and desire to find out what happens to Deliverance Dane.

I think the shift scenes help us deeper understand both characters as we unravel the past and the mystery behind Deliverance Dane and the key. For me, the interludes capture my attention more because that period has always been an interest of mine. It is interesting getting to understand what may or may not have happened at this time. I find it very easy to move back and forth between the times because they happen during transition times for Connie.

I think there is some similarities between the two worlds. Both Connie and Deliverance Dane have something to prove. They were both on paths of self discovery as well and face many challenges on the way. Deliverance Dane has to face those who do not understand and Connie has to face her professor who is pushing her to find a thesis topic. She also is trying to deal with her mother, who is very different from her and then has to take care of Granna's cottage which is a challenge in itself.

[mattzay]

I agree with you. I thought the same of Professor Chilton myself. He seems to be someone to watch. I bet he would be one of the men, during Deliverance's time that would hang witches first and question later.

[mattzay]

I like how Katherine Howe uses foreshadowing as well. I found it appropriate that Connie's Granna's house has no electricity. To me it symbolizes how "in the dark' Connie is with her knowledge of that time. She knows the basic history of it; from her studies, but does she understand it.

I also like that how different her mother and grandmother are. Her grandmother was more of a puritan, while her mom was more of a free spirit who is now a healer. They each seem to represent a type of person who lived during Deliverance's time.