I think we are supposed to take Edwin at Nicola's valuation and get to appreciate his finer points, but I just can't get past him being a bully - he is rude to the Marlows when he is their guest (admittedly in trying circumstances, but he is an adult who should have some self control) and a cold and controlling parent with his own children, who have just lost their mother. Under the circs I find his unwillingness to let Chas have the birthday of his dreams just cruel. And I think his choice of a young, relatively naive second wife is all of a piece with his control freakery.
Mostly I like Mr Merrick, but every once in a while I find myself imagining him being involved in some sleazy scandal. Sucking Claudie's toes perhaps?
What do other people think about the marriages in AF? I cannot think of an ideal partnership, the only happily married couple immediately springing to mind are the Tranters who aren't really mainstream characters. Most of the couples seem to have one likeable party and one cold fish (the Merricks, the Wests, arguably Karen and Edwin). Mrs Marlow is a single parent for much of the time, and seems to have issues with her own mother, while her father is conspicuous by the absence of any mention. Even Ginty/Patrick is beset with awkwardness and misunderstanding rather than being an idyllic first love.
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timeasmymeasure
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Date: 2005-04-08 08:41 pm (UTC)Mostly I like Mr Merrick, but every once in a while I find myself imagining him being involved in some sleazy scandal. Sucking Claudie's toes perhaps?
What do other people think about the marriages in AF? I cannot think of an ideal partnership, the only happily married couple immediately springing to mind are the Tranters who aren't really mainstream characters. Most of the couples seem to have one likeable party and one cold fish (the Merricks, the Wests, arguably Karen and Edwin). Mrs Marlow is a single parent for much of the time, and seems to have issues with her own mother, while her father is conspicuous by the absence of any mention. Even Ginty/Patrick is beset with awkwardness and misunderstanding rather than being an idyllic first love.