Could you tell me which chapter this ends on? For me 151 is in the middle of a chapter and fairly close to the end of the book. (I’m reading on Kindle.)
Pam, thank for letting us know about the Kindle. I had not considered that those chapters would be different. I do not have my book in front of me, but I believe it starts with Dinah’s chapter and ends with Carmelien. I will check once I get home.
I hope you enjoy this section of the book, I know that I did.
I’m so glad you guys discussed the small town culture and community! As I’m reading this it feels like a terrifying version of Wendell’s Membership 🫣 I’d be honored to be part of Port William’s membership but Conde’s Riviere au Sel, not so much! They are different places but same time period, correct? Makes one wonder why that tight-knit community we long to be part of doesn’t just work everywhere. At first I’m tempted to say religion brings a community together, but that’s immediately wrong because they’re all at the same wake participating in the same religion (whatever it is) and they still loathe and fear one another.
I LOVE that you thought of Wendell’s Membership, when thinking about variations on small, deeply intertwined small communities. Your observation about religion is also well-noted. What’s interesting, however, is that they all do come together (even if it’s only out of convention) over this man’s death and spend an entire night participating in a deeply religious ceremony—the wake. The women pray through the night, sing hymns, say the Hail Mary, recite Scripture, etc. And, now that you surely know the end…. It does seem that going through the motions of this religious ceremony through the night provided a vehicle of sorts toward transformation for at least some of the characters.
Now I feel a need to go pull some Wendell off my shelf. :)
Could you tell me which chapter this ends on? For me 151 is in the middle of a chapter and fairly close to the end of the book. (I’m reading on Kindle.)
Pam, thank for letting us know about the Kindle. I had not considered that those chapters would be different. I do not have my book in front of me, but I believe it starts with Dinah’s chapter and ends with Carmelien. I will check once I get home.
I hope you enjoy this section of the book, I know that I did.
Perfect! Thanks so much!
Rhea asked me to fact check her. She's correct, Dinah - Carmélien. ;-)
I’m so glad you guys discussed the small town culture and community! As I’m reading this it feels like a terrifying version of Wendell’s Membership 🫣 I’d be honored to be part of Port William’s membership but Conde’s Riviere au Sel, not so much! They are different places but same time period, correct? Makes one wonder why that tight-knit community we long to be part of doesn’t just work everywhere. At first I’m tempted to say religion brings a community together, but that’s immediately wrong because they’re all at the same wake participating in the same religion (whatever it is) and they still loathe and fear one another.
Emily,
I LOVE that you thought of Wendell’s Membership, when thinking about variations on small, deeply intertwined small communities. Your observation about religion is also well-noted. What’s interesting, however, is that they all do come together (even if it’s only out of convention) over this man’s death and spend an entire night participating in a deeply religious ceremony—the wake. The women pray through the night, sing hymns, say the Hail Mary, recite Scripture, etc. And, now that you surely know the end…. It does seem that going through the motions of this religious ceremony through the night provided a vehicle of sorts toward transformation for at least some of the characters.
Now I feel a need to go pull some Wendell off my shelf. :)