Part I, Chapters 1-6

[debbook]

I am glad that the author uses dogs as familiars instead of cats. Makes it less typical.

[kate23]

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biljounc63 wrote:
Did anybody else pick up on the connection of this story and the last First Look book Sag Harbor? On page 70 Connie bought a small ice cream in a waffle cone. I could not help and wonder if she was at Jonnie Waffle

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Yes, I thought the same thing! Then I wanted one of my own!!

[krenea1]

Not too be too critiqey but I have to mention it and I don't know why I guess it just bugs me.

Are the books already printed and ready to sell by now or do they go back through the editor before hitting the shelf? I found a typo on pg 46 in the beginning of the last paragraph. I don't think that I have see anything else so far.

[krb2g]

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chris227 wrote:

I also think it's odd that Connie plans on staying in a house that has been abandoned for twenty years.  My first thought would be to stay in a nearby hotel for at least the first week or two. 

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As a grad student myself, I totally understand not wanting to spend the money for a hotel if you don't have to!

 As far as the believeability of the house being habitable, I don't necessarily object to that so much (Connie could have had the water turned on before she went out there, for example; she could have brought sheets without the text needing to say so)--it's the fact that her mother needs her to sell this house (which has been sitting there for two decades) *RIGHT NOW* at just the time she's looking for a dissertation topic, etc. This coincidence certainly doesn't ruin the book for me; it's just a moment when I hear the wheels creaking behind the scenes a little bit.

[MissShopaholic]

This is my first time participating with first look.  I hope i'm doing this right.

First of all, i'm loving this book! I've read some previous posts and I too believe that there is something that Chilton knows that he's not saying.  I'm looking forward to finding out what exactly his scheme is.

I didn't exactly make the connection between Deliverance's Dog and Connie's Dog, Arlo, until someone on these posts pointed it out. I wonder if somehow it might be one in the same or a decendent?  we'll see. 

As far as the visions, i'm not sure.  She could probably have some psychic gift or just has a good knack for putting facts together to create mental images like she did in chapter 6 when she was trying to envision Deliverence's Life and what the inside of her house looks like.

I'm really liking the storyline between Connie and Sam now.  However, I was a little scared  though when he supposedly wanted to show her something... he was still a stranger to me to be trusted that much but fortunately he didn't end up being some sort of serial killer or anything so i was glad that he really did take her to see something kinda cool.  I hope to see this relationship/ friendship blossom as he seems to have a positive effect on her.

I especially like the part when he teases her about education and knowing how to conduct thorough research. Without him, she wouldn't have found the lead she was looking for.

So am I too far off track???

[krb2g]

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MissShopaholic wrote:

I'm really liking the storyline between Connie and Sam now.  However, I was a little scared  though when he supposedly wanted to show her something... he was still a stranger to me to be trusted that much but fortunately he didn't end up being some sort of serial killer or anything so i was glad that he really did take her to see something kinda cool.

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Was I the only one expecting Sam to show Connie something in her own backyard (with the whole bit about "I know no one's going to be there")? 

[krenea1]

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Zeal wrote:

I found myself reading as if events were taking place in the past vs. the present, but I had to laugh when I read your comment that 1991 is not the present!  That is so true!  The fact that Connie was using a pay phone and the total absence of any mention of a computer seems almost colonial today!  I wonder what Connie would think of conducting research with the use of the Internet!

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I just realize that I was thinking of the present too. I guess it sets the scene for all of her research options and puts her in specific places to meet people. I could just see her in today's time searching on her laptop and never leaving the room to meet Sam. It's also hard for me to picture her, I rarely see many people that braid their hair like that anymore.

[debbook]

You're perfectly on track!

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MissShopaholic wrote:

This is my first time participating with first look.  I hope i'm doing this right.

First of all, i'm loving this book! I've read some previous posts and I too believe that there is something that Chilton knows that he's not saying.  I'm looking forward to finding out what exactly his scheme is.

I didn't exactly make the connection between Deliverance's Dog and Connie's Dog, Arlo, until someone on these posts pointed it out. I wonder if somehow it might be one in the same or a decendent?  we'll see. 

As far as the visions, i'm not sure.  She could probably have some psychic gift or just has a good knack for putting facts together to create mental images like she did in chapter 6 when she was trying to envision Deliverence's Life and what the inside of her house looks like.

I'm really liking the storyline between Connie and Sam now.  However, I was a little scared  though when he supposedly wanted to show her something... he was still a stranger to me to be trusted that much but fortunately he didn't end up being some sort of serial killer or anything so i was glad that he really did take her to see something kinda cool.  I hope to see this relationship/ friendship blossom as he seems to have a positive effect on her.

I especially like the part when he teases her about education and knowing how to conduct thorough research. Without him, she wouldn't have found the lead she was looking for.

So am I too far off track???

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[krb2g]

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krenea1 wrote:

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Zeal wrote:

I found myself reading as if events were taking place in the past vs. the present, but I had to laugh when I read your comment that 1991 is not the present!  That is so true!  The fact that Connie was using a pay phone and the total absence of any mention of a computer seems almost colonial today!  I wonder what Connie would think of conducting research with the use of the Internet!

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I just realize that I was thinking of the present too. I guess it sets the scene for all of her research options and puts her in specific places to meet people. I could just see her in today's time searching on her laptop and never leaving the room to meet Sam. It's also hard for me to picture her, I rarely see many people that braid their hair like that anymore.

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Although the internet's a big help (at least for my work; I do American literature) these days, I imagine Connie would still have to leave her room: the materials from that church probably wouldn't be digitized. Also, going through original stuff you can still make neat finds: a friend in my program found a heretofore unknown Robert Frost poem a few years ago. Good scholars still do the legwork--especially when it comes to primary sources (if you want an article, though, it's easy to get those online [: ).

[krenea1]

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PB684 wrote: You just reminded me of a very funny comment made by Liz about cell phones. I can't for the life of me find it now that I want to quote it (and it may be farther along than chapter 7 but it doesn't "spoil" anything so I think it is alright to mention). She says something to the effect that one of her summer students keeps a big cellular phone on his desk and why would a student need such a thing? I laughed out loud being the mother of a 15-year-old daughter who needs to have her cell phone surgically removed! Thanks for reminding me that 1991 is definitely NOT the present

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Yes, I recall that part too. Can you imagine? I watched a movie from early 90's the other day and everyone was walking around the big city with these huge phones and long antennas. LOL talk about ancient. A few years ago I was helping my aunt clean out her attic and found a phone in a bag. That was one crazy looking phone.

[krenea1]

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krb2g wrote:

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krenea1 wrote:

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Zeal wrote:

I found myself reading as if events were taking place in the past vs. the present, but I had to laugh when I read your comment that 1991 is not the present!  That is so true!  The fact that Connie was using a pay phone and the total absence of any mention of a computer seems almost colonial today!  I wonder what Connie would think of conducting research with the use of the Internet!

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I just realize that I was thinking of the present too. I guess it sets the scene for all of her research options and puts her in specific places to meet people. I could just see her in today's time searching on her laptop and never leaving the room to meet Sam. It's also hard for me to picture her, I rarely see many people that braid their hair like that anymore.

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Although the internet's a big help (at least for my work; I do American literature) these days, I imagine Connie would still have to leave her room: the materials from that church probably wouldn't be digitized. Also, going through original stuff you can still make neat finds: a friend in my program found a heretofore unknown Robert Frost poem a few years ago. Good scholars still do the legwork--especially when it comes to primary sources (if you want an article, though, it's easy to get those online [: ).

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I see your point and Connie doesn't seem the type to lets loose ends be.

[Skelly7645]

I sensed from the moment I saw the cover of the book, that this would be a book that I would become wrapped up in.  I concur with several who have commented that they like the book's quality of paper, font, cover design, etc. I, too, find the binding extremely firm, too firm perhaps.

I find the book's writing style fluid, easy to follow the switches between past and present and the words are comfortable to read ( writing is smooth, and easy to read at a pleasing pace).

I have never read a story about witchcraft and Salem. (Shame on me as I have lived south of Boston for more than 50 years)  I am intrigued with learning about the subject.  I think that the "feelings" and mental visions that Connie experiences probably will lead us to find that she has a connection to Deliverance from the past.  I am wondering alot about the stone with the carving of the person and the word with the unknown meaning. 

I like Connie and actually feel like I probably know several women who are like her mother, Grace, as I was a teenager in the early 70's and knew a few "free spirited" young women like her.  One reader commented that Grace reminded her of Dharma's mother of Dharma and Greg (TV show).  I thoroughly agree!

I didn't get too caught up in the description of the garden and the ripe vegetables, etc. I was wrapped up in the general feeling of a musty, dusty, house with lots of spiders and missed some of the either unrealistic garden description, or was it done purposely to lead us to believe that the house is just a part of the overall "spirited" connection with Deliverance, maybe?

Can't wait to move on deeper into the story.

Skelly7645 

[GSB65]

Wow, there's a ton of posts already on here, so I'm going to post my own thoughts before reading through the rest.  Sorry if I repeat many things already said.

So far I have really enjoyed this book.  I think the flow between time periods has been done very well.  I have a hard time liking Prof. Chilton as it seems like he is up to something.  You have to wonder if his last question for Connie's exam is a push from him to get information from her.  Does he already know something about Connie's past that he intends to use?  He is so adamant about an "original source" and seems so excited when there is a possibility that she has one.

I found the condition of Granna's house and gardens to be a bit unbelievable, but then also had to wonder if there wasn't a reason for it?  Will witchcraft turn out to be a part of Connie's past that she discovers as she researched Deliverance Dane?  I did find it interesting that there was a dog that just showed up with Deliverance Dane and Arlo just showed up and followed Connie home.

I think looking for "truth" differs from past to present.  I the present you need facts to back up your truth, this wasn't the case in the past.  In the courtroom scene it was more one word against the other than what the actual evidence might have supported.

I think Sam gives Connie the O.K. to look at witchcraft as a real possibility.  All of her education had taught her that this wasn't the case, but Sam showing her the cornerstones gave her something concrete to go on.

Just a few thoughts to start.

[kate23]

I am really enjoying the book so far. I think Katherine Howe does a wonderful job transitioning between the two time periods. I also feel that I'm learning alot of trivial, yet interesting, facts of that time.

Like many others so far, I feel Chilton is the shadiest character thus far and every subsequent scene he's in only validates my first impression.

I have to admit that I never correlated the dogs. Where was I? That was huge!

During the trial, I enjoyed reading Major Appleton's thoughts about all the people present. I thought it was a good tool for the author to keep us guessing about the big question of "Was witchcraft real?".

I want to dislike Petford but I think he feels guilty because he had questioned using Goody Dane on the very first page. He feels like he made th wrong decision.

I like Liz. She brings Connie to reality, knows Connie well enough to call her bluff.

My only problem with the house is the fact that Connie and Liz would stay there the first night, if at all. I'd probably have left or stayed in the car. Or, for that matter, I didn't recall the drive being so far from Harvard.

Fozzie - thanks for pointing out the mandrake. Good observation! I'll have to look it up.

PB684 - good point about Saltonstall Court (the girls' dorm in Harvard) being named after the cross-examining attorney in the courtroom scene.

Thanks for listening!

[GSB65]

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krenea1 wrote:

Not too be too critiqey but I have to mention it and I don't know why I guess it just bugs me.

Are the books already printed and ready to sell by now or do they go back through the editor before hitting the shelf? I found a typo on pg 46 in the beginning of the last paragraph. I don't think that I have see anything else so far.

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It's my understanding we get these copies before they are ready for sale.  The editor will still catch typos and things like that.

[DebsScott]

Let me first say YAHOO! because we've started!

Okay, my few takes on the book.  I have views like most of you about the book.  I started reading some of your thoughts and decided to skip ahead and post my own before reading any farther so I don't confuse my own thoughts with other's. 

I love this book so far.  I do think it's a bit too stiff and I hate to have to break the spine, but I've found myself doing just that.  It's a beautiful book though...heavy and well put together for an ARC.

Now, to the story.  As I said, so far I've loved it all.  I love how Ms. Howe draws me into the story with decriptions that allow me to "see" the scene and the people involved and yet she doesn't carry it so far that you're tired of reading how a room looks before the action even starts.  She has vividly created characters, both in the past and in the present (well, 1991 anyway), that are believable and real...right down to their accents.  She's given each of them their own personality and their own life.  Connie and her mother Grace are both complete opposites of each other...Connie the studious, by-the-book, serious young woman; Grace the hippie, new age spiritual, free being (she reminds me in ways of myself).  Liz who, to me, is someone that perhaps got thrown together with Connie as assigned roommates but ended up being friends.   Sam?  Hmmm...I think we're gonna see a bit more of Mr. Sam. Deliverance is not only a witch and a healer, but a very smart and brave woman.

Arlo...Arlo is Connie's familiar and he is Deliverance's familiar as well.  I think the two dogs are the same dog.

Professor Chilton is up to something (and I'm so glad to see I'm not the only one who has this feeling).   I think he has his own agenda for Connie and her whole witchcraft dissertation.  I don't trust him...not one bit.

I couldn't help but notice the names popping up out of the book at me.  Deliverance...rescue from danger.  Mercy...compassion.  Grace...unmerited favour from God.  Sophia...a Greek root for wisdom (which Liz points out and I think is a bit of knowledge that was purposely placed in the book for a reason).  Connie?  Constance...contancy or steadfastedness?  Hmmm...I don't know why these stuck in my head but their meanings all seemed to intertwine with the women with which they were associated.  (btw, I did a little digging because this Connie/Constance thing has really been on my mind...okay, I'm weird...but there is a Constance Saltonstall Foundation for Arts in New York.  Saltonstall is not only the name of the building where Connie and Liz live but also the name of the man that examines Peter Petford at Livvy's hearing.  Co-incidence?  Hmmm...)

 As far as the house was concerned, well, I believe it's bewitched.  How many of Connie's ancestors have lived here even before her grandmother (for I do think that Connie and Deliverance are directly related). How much magic is in the air?  I admit I have wondered about how Connie is taking a bath...brr...no hot water.  And how is she cooking or is she depending on take-out?  How can she live in all that dirt and dust? AH-CHOO! How is the water getting into the house?  What's it's source and how is it pumping through pipes that haven't been used in twenty years.  If it were me getting into MY grandmother's house, I would be digging through everything...boxes, letters, books, closets.  I love sorting through stuff like that and nothing would have stopped me from searching every nook and cranny.  I found myself jealous of Connie and her adventure.

Does Harvard really have no central air conditioning? 

Okay, I'm going back to read a bit more of your thoughts. 

[kate23]

I forgot to mention that I can't believe, unless I missed something, that Connie didn't even think about the bottles in her granna's kitchen when she reviewed the list for Deliverance Dane in probate.

[MissShopaholic]

Yes, I was thinking the same thing when i was reading that chapter! She was thinking to herself (and i'm paraphrashing) 'what could she do with so many bottles' whilst she tried to figure out and picture where in the house to place them.  In my mind, I was like, Girl, remember Granna's makeshift kitchen!?!?! But i was saying it in a good way, i felt like i was trying to help Connie think, nudge her a bit (like in the movie never ending story)... lol.

also when she was trying to create a mental picture of the house that Deliverance lived in, I saw a parallel with Granna's house when she mentioned the bottles and the garden.  I may be off there since i haven't read beyond chapter 6 but like I tell my students, good readers who are engaged in what they're reading often find themselves predicting, even if their predictions aren't correct, the important part is that the reader is engaged. Engaged in this book, i am...

[gringorn]

Well, I do have to say that for me Chilton Manning is such a cookie cut out "villian" that it was kind of disappointing.  I mean, c'mon......he smokes!!  That has become such a cliche for the "bad guy"......

I do like Ms Howe's development of her other characters just fine though.  Just for me, Manning was flashing "bad guy here" I like Sam, sweet guy (of course) and peg him for the totally standard "good guy".

Lots of people think Arlo is the familiar, so do I. 

[pen21]

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kate23 wrote:
I forgot to mention that I can't believe, unless I missed something, that Connie didn't even think about the bottles in her granna's kitchen when she reviewed the list for Deliverance Dane in probate.

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I totally agree with you. It seemed so obvious.

Hopefully Connie will catch up with us in the coming chapters.