"I think that's the beauty of the novel and of Forest in general: there's almost no feeling that is unmixed, almost nothing without its irony or parallel."
Exactly, and I'd add: no character who is utterly predictable, no one without their dark side, as well as their more pleasant or admirable qualities, thoughts, and actions.
That, I suppose is part of why we can debate so fiercely our likes and dislikes. (And I have to admit, that while we were discussing Giles in Port Wade I completely forgot how heartless he had been on the sailing trip mentioned here.) I'm basically with you on Anquetil, but a perverse streak makes me want to comment on the small boys he takes out on the boat?
"Peter's judgement is often awry, but his training least him to see risks more clearly than Nicola, who has courage and resourcefulness but perhaps less good sense than she should, here."
Yes, fine to Nicola: but it doesn't seem to me to be an accurate assessment of risk which stops Peter doing anything, simply he cannot think what or how to do anything which could help. He is, I think, partially handicapped by his relationship with Foley, both in terms of Foley being his senior/teacher etc. and his previous feelings for him. However, whatever the risks to himself and Nicola and Ginty, he is calmly clear that if their presence lowers the risk of a traitor getting away with information it is worth it. A courageous side to Peter we do not often see, but which, presumably, fuels some of his later behaviour.
I can never tell whether I prefer AF's amazing ear for dialogue, or the way she writes the internal monologues. These chapters have fabulous examples of both.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2014-06-28 01:03 am (UTC)Exactly, and I'd add: no character who is utterly predictable, no one without their dark side, as well as their more pleasant or admirable qualities, thoughts, and actions.
That, I suppose is part of why we can debate so fiercely our likes and dislikes. (And I have to admit, that while we were discussing Giles in Port Wade I completely forgot how heartless he had been on the sailing trip mentioned here.) I'm basically with you on Anquetil, but a perverse streak makes me want to comment on the small boys he takes out on the boat?
"Peter's judgement is often awry, but his training least him to see risks more clearly than Nicola, who has courage and resourcefulness but perhaps less good sense than she should, here."
Yes, fine to Nicola: but it doesn't seem to me to be an accurate assessment of risk which stops Peter doing anything, simply he cannot think what or how to do anything which could help. He is, I think, partially handicapped by his relationship with Foley, both in terms of Foley being his senior/teacher etc. and his previous feelings for him. However, whatever the risks to himself and Nicola and Ginty, he is calmly clear that if their presence lowers the risk of a traitor getting away with information it is worth it. A courageous side to Peter we do not often see, but which, presumably, fuels some of his later behaviour.
I can never tell whether I prefer AF's amazing ear for dialogue, or the way she writes the internal monologues. These chapters have fabulous examples of both.