THE WEIRD SISTERS: Chapters 17 through Epilogue/Whole Novel

[Melissa_W Moderator]

Please use this thread to discuss Chapters 17 through the Epilogue of The Weird Sisters as well as the novel in its entirety.

[Melissa_W Moderator]

There are some basic questions about The Weird Sisters posted on Eleanor's website, linked here.

I do like the answer for question 8, about the extensive inclusion of Shakespeare in the novel - the only English course I took in undergrad was a Shakespeare course taught by the wonderful Miriam Gilbert.  When we read sections aloud in class she never needed the text - it blew my mind!!  Just the sheer amount of brain capacity needed for all that plus the commentary and criticism....

[Melissa_W Moderator]

Although the quotes used in the book are often divorced from their context in the originating play, some are so well known that they carry through the public consciousness (cf. "To be or not to be", "a rose by any other name would smell as sweet", etc).  Were there some favorite lines you were determined to use in the book and, conversely, were there some you avoided?

[Redcatlady]

I wonder if there'll be a second book, set, say, eighteen or so years from now, focusing on Ariel?

Redcatlady

[Fozzie]

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Melissa_W wrote:

There are some basic questions about The Weird Sisters posted on Eleanor's website, linked here.

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This is a super Q&A.  I had wondered about birth order theory, which was addressed in a question.

[Fozzie]

Eleanor, how much Shakespeare did you assume that your readers would know?  I know very little Shakespeare.  I don’t think my lack of knowledge detracted from my enjoyment of the novel.  However, was it your intention that knowledge of Shakespeare would enhance a reader’s experience with the novel?

[Fozzie]

I never read a book expecting a happy ending.  I expect a realistic ending.  I have to say, I was thrilled to have a happy ending for this book!  How did other readers feel about this?  Eleanor, did you plan for the book to have a happy ending, or is that where the characters led you?

P.S.  I thought the happy ending was very realistic, by the way.

[Fozzie]

Some of the quotes I most enjoyed in the book were ones which compared the three sisters sequentially.  Here are some examples:

Would Bean always be chasing one man or another, Cordy eternally chasing some shadow of a person she might never become, and Rose herself chasing some shadow of the way things were Supposed to Be?  (pg. 110)

Will alone could not make Rose brave, could not make Bean honest, could not make Cordy sensible.  (pg. 216)

And yet we have inherited it anyway, in tiny drops, his one obsession spread thin over the three of us.  Rose’s passion for order.  Bean’s for notice.  Cordy’s for meaning.  (pg. 282)

[Melissa_W Moderator]

I thought it was logical and it didn't stitch everything up too neatly.  Rose is getting married but beyond going to Oxford for a few years with Jeremy she doesn't have that planned.  Bean is doing better, is dating, is working but we aren't given a guarantee that she won't slip.  Cordy has the baby and Dan but she also doesn't have a plan beyond - will she go back to school to finish her degree?

I like how they're all poised on the edge again, ready for their next chapter.

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Fozzie wrote:

I never read a book expecting a happy ending.  I expect a realistic ending.  I have to say, I was thrilled to have a happy ending for this book!  How did other readers feel about this?  Eleanor, did you plan for the book to have a happy ending, or is that where the characters led you?

P.S.  I thought the happy ending was very realistic, by the way.

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[Melissa_W Moderator]

And they are always Rose-Bean-Cordy, in birth order.

It reminds me of the section describing trips to the library (I think the section starts with that lovely quote about the gift of words).  The mother first, then Bean, then Cordy, then Rose (who likes to make sure Cordy doesn't wander or dawdle), like a little row of ducks with their red wagons.  Not the same order, I know, but it does reflect the sisters' personalities:  Bean trying to be first, Cordy wandering along with that ADD all little kids have, and Rose being responsible as the eldest 

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Fozzie wrote:

Some of the quotes I most enjoyed in the book were ones which compared the three sisters sequentially.  Here are some examples:

Would Bean always be chasing one man or another, Cordy eternally chasing some shadow of a person she might never become, and Rose herself chasing some shadow of the way things were Supposed to Be?  (pg. 110)

Will alone could not make Rose brave, could not make Bean honest, could not make Cordy sensible.  (pg. 216)

And yet we have inherited it anyway, in tiny drops, his one obsession spread thin over the three of us.  Rose’s passion for order.  Bean’s for notice.  Cordy’s for meaning.  (pg. 282)

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[Melissa_W Moderator]

The "confessions" are such a big part of the resolution to the book.

Bean's confession is the most obvious in the form of a literal confession to Father Aiden - and it's not really the confession that she embezzled from her job and had an affair with a married friend of the family but that she feels she has no self-worth, that she's not smart or cute (of which she is both) and therefore is worth less than Rose or Cordy.

Rose confesses to Jonathan - she went on a walk, climbed a tower, stole a pint glass, and "crashed a tai chi" class.  It's her realization that the world will not stop spinning on it's axis if she takes care of herself first.

Cordy's confession is harder to find.  It's in pieces - when she leaves for that last road trip and has to admit to herself that she does actually want more stability than the life of a pseudo-hippie.  Then in the last scene with her mother - when they're both baking - and she asks if she will be a good mom.  It's the final admission that one is done being taken care of and is ready to care for oneself.

[Fozzie]

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Melissa_W wrote:

And they are always Rose-Bean-Cordy, in birth order.

It reminds me of the section describing trips to the library (I think the section starts with that lovely quote about the gift of words).  The mother first, then Bean, then Cordy, then Rose (who likes to make sure Cordy doesn't wander or dawdle), like a little row of ducks with their red wagons.  Not the same order, I know, but it does reflect the sisters' personalities:  Bean trying to be first, Cordy wandering along with that ADD all little kids have, and Rose being responsible as the eldest 

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Yes, always in birth order, but I liked that!  I am a very orderly person, and always list our family in the same order too.  

[Fozzie]

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Melissa_W wrote:

The "confessions" are such a big part of the resolution to the book.

Bean's confession is the most obvious in the form of a literal confession to Father Aiden - and it's not really the confession that she embezzled from her job and had an affair with a married friend of the family but that she feels she has no self-worth, that she's not smart or cute (of which she is both) and therefore is worth less than Rose or Cordy.

Rose confesses to Jonathan - she went on a walk, climbed a tower, stole a pint glass, and "crashed a tai chi" class.  It's her realization that the world will not stop spinning on it's axis if she takes care of herself first.

Cordy's confession is harder to find.  It's in pieces - when she leaves for that last road trip and has to admit to herself that she does actually want more stability than the life of a pseudo-hippie.  Then in the last scene with her mother - when they're both baking - and she asks if she will be a good mom.  It's the final admission that one is done being taken care of and is ready to care for oneself.

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Yes, confessions were a big part of the book!  Until the sisters let their secrets out, to at least one person, I was on pins and needles wondering how the secrets would be told --- a confession, an accidental slip, or maybe they wouldn’t be told.

[Melissa_W Moderator]

What do you think about her nsme - Ariel? It's definitely Shakespeare but not a heroine.

[Fozzie]

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Melissa_W wrote:
What do you think about her nsme - Ariel? It's definitely Shakespeare but not a heroine.

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I read that Ariel was a character in The Tempest.  I don't know the play, so I really can't say much.

Wasn't the name Ariel mentioned earlier in te book somewhere?  I know when I sw the baby was named Ariel, I felt like it had some background to it.

[Melissa_W Moderator]

Yeah, Ariel is a "sprite" who "works" for Prospero in The Tempest.  It (mostly interpreted as a "he" ) is a nastier version of Puck.  I thought it was interesting that they stayed with Shakespeare, but went away from a "heroine" name.

[EleanorBrown]

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Redcatlady wrote:

I wonder if there'll be a second book, set, say, eighteen or so years from now, focusing on Ariel?

Redcatlady

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It's funny - I never thought about a sequel of any sort until it was brought up to me by a book club member I was chatting with! Mostly I figured that I would set them on the right path and then the rest would be up to them!

But I can see something similar happening - checking in on them in a number of years, kind of like the movies Before Sunrise and Before Sunset. I love that you want to spend more time in Barnwell!

[Melissa_W Moderator]

Eleanor is taking requests through her blog for signed bookplates and bookmarks through May 10 (see her post - you can also order signed copied of TWS through the link to the Tattered Cover bookstore).

Perfect for Mother's Day or stealing for yourself

[EleanorBrown]

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Fozzie wrote:

Eleanor, how much Shakespeare did you assume that your readers would know?  I know very little Shakespeare.  I don’t think my lack of knowledge detracted from my enjoyment of the novel.  However, was it your intention that knowledge of Shakespeare would enhance a reader’s experience with the novel?

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I assumed you would know just what had seeped in through cultural osmosis, but I very definitely wrote the book so that familiarity with Shakespeare would add a thin layer to your appreciation of the book, but a lack of familiarity wouldn't detract from your enjoyment. Anything you had to know I explained (like the meaning of "weird" or the characters' namesakes).

I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it anyway - that means I did my job!

[EleanorBrown]

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Fozzie wrote:

I never read a book expecting a happy ending.  I expect a realistic ending.  I have to say, I was thrilled to have a happy ending for this book!  How did other readers feel about this?  Eleanor, did you plan for the book to have a happy ending, or is that where the characters led you?

P.S.  I thought the happy ending was very realistic, by the way.

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My initial ending for the book was very sad! But when I wrote the book I was having a tough time, so I think I needed a positive ending. I think of the ending as hopeful rather than happy - I don't think they've resolved their issues (not by a long shot - for instance, Bean needs NOT to be dating!), but I think they've moved forward and are on the right path.