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Emma Flournoy posted an update 7 years, 2 months ago
@Perfect-Fifths Have you read any of those Douglas Bong books yet?
Emma Flournoy posted an update 7 years, 2 months ago
@Perfect-Fifths Have you read any of those Douglas Bong books yet?
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*snort* BOND, not Bong. And @PerfectFifths.
XD I wondered if you were correcting me or something. Not yet, I don’t have them. Well, I do have War in the Wasteland, but I let my Dad read that first, because he likes war stories, and I don’t know if I do. 😉 But Dad is actually going to bring back the Crown and Covenant ones from the States for me, because he knew Douglas Bond as a kid and he’s going to see him when he next goes (I think that’s the middle of next year sometime) and have them autographed! – at least that’s the plan. 😉 I’ve never had autographed books before… 😀
XD Sorry, it would look like that being the first notification of it you got. XD
I haven’t read War in the Wasteland, but I can say that not all war stories are created equal. 😛 Hope it’s good.
Autographed! Wow. Cool.
I have to say, the wars interest me, especially the ANZACs and WWII. I plan on giving War in the Wasteland a try at some point. Dad told me that he figured out it’s actually about C. S. Lewis, but he was called Jack, because that was his nickname when he was young.
Oh totally, lots of the wars interest me too, muchly. I just said not ALL war stories are created equal. XD The real life ones—ones based on true stories, esp. CLOSELY based on them—are the best.
And about C.S. LEWIS! Now I’m really interested. About his involvement in WWI, I guess?
Have you seen the recent-ish movie Hacksaw Ridge?
Yeah, I’m guessing. We tried watching a series about the ANZACs in WWI, but it was just too real, I couldn’t handle it, and I think my dad ended up finishing it alone. I know the wars were terrible and horrific, and that we should understand that, but I’m blessed to not to have to live through it, and I really don’t want to know just how horrific, if I don’t have to.
And no, I haven’t – nor heard of it. What’s it about?
Ack yes, I feel that. I’m bad with the gore/real aspect of war movies (gore in any movies, but obviously with war movies it’s worse) and usually just have to look away. It’s so awful, and yes we’re extremely blessed to not have to live through that stuff.
Hacksaw Ridge is a WWII story, about a young guy who didn’t want to shoot a gun (religious and backstory reasons) but wanted to join the army and do his patriotic duty anyway. He was a medic, and the story has SO MUCH MORE to it than that. It gets really great, and the Christian aspect to it is so awesome and not glossed over. The gore is really bad, and if you’re going to watch it you kind of just have to try and ignore it (especially since he’s a medic, and thus he’ll be dealing with that sorta stuff), but the story is incredible. Based on a true one. 😀
Sounds good! I like the stories where the character wants to do his part, but doesn’t actually want to kill anyone, or not exactly cut out for being a soldier, so they become a medic.
Is it just a movie, or is there a book?
Me too. Healing instead of hurting.
I don’t know, actually; I seem to remember having heard somewhere that there was a book too, but I couldn’t say for sure.
Aside from the gore (and language, which is also pretty much inevitable in war movies), and a couple things my mom and dad skipped when we watched it, I SERIOUSLY recommend it. Talk about inspiring, and I haven’t been able to get over how Christian too, in a mainstream movie. You should see it. 😀
Zigackly!
Well, I’ll ask my parents if they’ve seen it as well. It sounds like a good movie.
Great. 😀
So, what book are you reading at the moment?
Heheh…you asked at an interesting moment. I happen to be reading a book about the gut. Not my first choice of reading material, but hey, educational. It is interesting, when I can stomach the subject material. XD
A fiction book I finished a few days ago though was Mistborn, by Brandon Sanderson. Aside from a few things that really bugged me (not least of which was style/prose. But I can hardly ask for perfection when I’m so picky about how I like it.), it turned out really good. Have you read it, or anything by him? That’s the first of his I’ve read, though I get the impression his stuff is pretty wildly loved in the modern fantasy community. Mistborn isn’t a standalone; it has several follow-ups, but we’re borrowing this and don’t have any of the others. (Yet.)
What are you reading?
And also, a random question I thought I might be able to ask you, with your ten+ years of violin experience, right? 😀 Do you know how to do the bowing technique ricochet? And if so, is it explainable or not really? I have a violin friend who tried to help me a little with it, but she’s not very experienced with it herself, and said it’s really advance and difficult. Which I believe. 😛 I just wondered though. There’s a piece I have that she says probably uses that technique, from how it sounds on the soundtrack.
So ANYWAY. Yeah. That. If you have any idea. 😀
@perfectfifths
Whoops, sorry I didn’t reply to this sooner! XD
I have not read anything by Brandon Sanderson. 😛 I haven’t read too many modern fantasy books (if by that you mean books written quite recently). The Ilyon Chronicles is one of the few I have, and I loved that!
At the moment I’m reading C. S. Lewis’ Cosmic Trilogy (only about halfway through the first book so far) and also his childhood stories which he wrote with his brother Warren, called Boxen.
As for my supposed 10+ years of violin experience, where did you hear that?? XD I’ve only been playing for 3, but I think I’ve advanced quicker than most students because I started later than most students. So, sorry, I don’t know what the ricochet bowing technique is, nor how to do it. But this video explains it well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTaI8K1z_8g
It does look very advanced. O.O
@emma-flournoy
Totally not a problem 😀 , I just didn’t know if maybe you hadn’t gotten the notification or something and hadn’t seen it. I know that happens to me sometimes and I realize way later that the person actually replied even though I saw no notification.
I haven’t read a ton of modern fantasy books either…not the Ilyon Chronicles either. I’ll remember they’re good. 😀
Ahh, the Space Trilogy is most likely the same thing. That’s what I know it as. I’ve read that, and since I’m a nice honest person I hereby issue a warning: proceed at your own risk. *swallows* I know, C.S. LEWIS! What could be wrong? But seriously. The first book was pretty good, but the 2nd and 3rd had…problems. I’m not just talking about bad story-telling or anything like that; I mean, details, graphic…happenings…stuff. It’s kinda…overdone? and looking back I don’t think I’d recommend those books for anyone. I’ve heard of some people who love ’em, and I honestly don’t know where that comes from. XD There WERE some really really good parts, it’s not all bad for sure, don’t get me wrongl. Go ahead and read on if you’re liking it (but the first book is the best… tamest too), but I won’t blame you if you decide to stop. Though you’ll never know how it ended, which’d be sort of unsatisfying to say the least. One of the reasons I kept on. And I think I find it worse in retrospect than I found it when I read it…so I dunno, maybe my memory is amplifying things. *shrug*
Anyway. There’s a nice cryptic warning for you. Tell me how you liked ’em. (And if you end up loving them, I guess you can tell me why. XD There are certain parts of them I really do love (and characters), but…just. Stuff.)
That childhood stories thing sound interesting…
Wait, really? Whoops!! I thought I remembered distinctly a conversation with you about violin in which I learned you’d been playing since you were a wee lass. Oh well! XD Thanks for the video though! I’ll be sure to watch it.
@emma-flournoy
Yes, read them! Great Christian fantasy, and my absolute favourite (so far) is Samara’s Peril.
Consider me cryptically warned! I really hate stopping books in the middle of reading. I’ve only done that with 3 – We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea, because it was painfully boring! The first book in the Zion Chronicles, because it had content I wasn’t ready for/couldn’t handle (I plan on going back to them later on) and Boxen, actually, but only because I just stopped reading it, so I’m reading it again because I’d never finished. It is interesting, especially since I’m reading his sci-fi trilogy pretty much at the same time, so I can see how his writing style has changed and how he has improved. Anyway, I’ll see how I go. I’m nearly finished with the first book, and I don’t know that I liked it, but it interests me, which is enough for me to continue.
Well, it could have been that I said I had learned a bit when I was 7, but that was like 3 lessons (if that!), and it wasn’t the right time, nor the right teacher. So that could be misinterpreted as I’ve been learning since I was 7. 😉
Yup. ;P And that does sound pretty cool, about comparing his two different stages of style.
Ahh…I dunno. Quite possibly. 😛
Yes. I’m nearly finished reading the first book. My dad was asking about it this morning, like what the ship’s thrusters were, and I’m like “Well, we know as much as the MC, and he was kidnapped, so they’re not telling him. ” Dad said that was how Lewis got away with not explaining it. 😉
Possibly. 😛
@emma-flournoy So, I have finished the first book and read the first chapter of the second. So far so good, but nothing much has happened yet, except an extensive description of the PoV’s journey and his fear he was suddenly going mad, and his brief encounter with an eldil. 🙂
@Perfectfiths Ha! I have little doubt that’s how he got away with not explaining it. 😛 Such convenience.
Good, good… As I recall (it was a few years ago after all), the worst thing, as in, just really really uncomfortable, about Perelandra was the complete lack of clothes for Ransom and the other human character he meets. *black scowl* It’s the kind of book which basically, if there were a movie made of it, you couldn’t watch. That was disturbing enough (I understand the reasons Lewis did it, but STILL), and the other thing I think in that one were just some really graphic details of the doings of the bad guy descended into despair and insanity. Pretty shaking. :/ Not something BAD to read, but I’m not good at all with gore and twisted physical details, even if they’re only directed at a FROG. XD And it was just really freaky to see the man acting that way.
The third book was bad/disturbing in other ways (too much with the details still though, lots of the time), and it’s awful too because that one had two of my favorite characters in it, who weren’t in the other books. This extremely irate and sarcastic Ulsterman (sort of Irish) atheist, and the wizard Merlin…their relationship was hilarious.
Weren’t some of the creatures in the first book pretty sweet? For one thing, that sorn Ransom traveled with reminded me of Treebeard. 😀 And the little creatues, phiffletriggi maybe? of whom Whin was one—they were so sweet! Actually though, that might have been the hrossa…the phiffletriggi guys were something else.
The creatures were mostly quite unique, at any rate.
Whoops. @perfectfifths
@emma-flournoy I just finished a chapter where Weston started having some sort of fit, and now Ransom’s not sure if he’s dead, or what (it was pretty freaky). I know what you mean about Ransom and the Lady’s nakedness, but I’m not finding it much of a problem right now, because the story isn’t going on about their nakedness (what I’ve read at least), it’s just simply a fact about life on the planet.
Yes, the sorn was a lot like Treebeard. 😀 And I think you were talking about the hrossa, the ones Ransom stayed with before he met the sorn and went to see Oyarsa. The other creatures, the pfifltriggi (looked it in the book 😛 I think it’s pronounced “fifle-triggy” 😉 ) are a frog-like creature thing. But yes, I liked the hrossa!
@emma-flournoy *having just read chapter 9* Wow, I’m starting to see what you mean. O_O The frogs, and-and Weston – he’s so creepy right now! I honestly think he’s meant to be the devil himself.
I’m actually wondering if I need to stop reading this (and I hate doing that). It is getting quite disturbing in some ways.
Yeah, at least the no-clothes-ness isn’t expounded on, but the very fact is annoying.
That’s it. Pfifltriggi is a hard word to remember. 😛
I cringe for you. :/ At least that probably means my memory wasn’t exaggerating… hardly a comforting thought.
Poor Weston. I don’t remember everything that happened in that book, but I think I saw him more as just driven insane and incredibly pitiable than a devil-similar character. I dunno. He was so wretched I couldn’t help feeling sorry even though I hated him.
Welp, I wouldn’t blame you. But I survived it with no damaging life-scars, so if you do continue it probably won’t mess you up (permanently) at least. 😛 It’s so hard to stop reading when it’s intriguing enough that you want to find out what happens.
@emma-flournoy
For a bit, I honestly thought it was, but then chapter 9. I mean, it was a wee bit creepy before, but then it went from whoa to WHOA! in no time at all. 😛
Well, he’s tempting the Lady to live in the Fixed Land, saying that this commandment, Maleldil secretly wants to have broken in order for the Lady to be separate from him (in a way a child is eventually separate from the parents because they’ve grown up and are ready to be on their own). That’s his logic, but since Maleldil is obviously a God-figure, that’s not such a good thing (though the Lady doesn’t understand that). And in the previous chapter, he was talking to Ransom about spirits and all that, and I didn’t entirely understand everything, but the jist I got from it was that the spirits he was getting involved with were evil, and that he’s possessed either with a demon or the devil himself.
And on that note, I’m thinking I’ll stop for now and get my dad to read it or something. He wanted to anyway, and it might be better, if it only gets worse from here, for him to read it before me.
Ohhh…no, I remember that now. Igh.
That’s a sound plan. *claps you on the shoulder* Dads are good for help. 😉 Especially book-ish dads, which yours sounds to be.
And hey, it’s been a nice conversation with you here, despite any strange subject material. 😛
Haha, yeah. I wouldn’t say my dad is especially book-ish, he likes certain books (James Herriot, Master and Commander, Hornblower, Jane Austin, P. G. Wodehouse). And he likes audio books a lot, but I think he just listens to what I listed. 😛
Yes, it has been a good conversation. I’m actually glad you told me about your thoughts on Perelandra before I got to the creepy parts. It kind of prepared me to find some weird things.
That’s funny, with all those books/authors you mentioned, I’ve watched more screen adaptations of any of ’em than read the books. 😀 All very good. Your dad has good taste.
Heh. Well, that’s good to know. 😛
Ditto. We love All Creatures, and we enjoyed the Jeeves and Wooster series, and I quite liked Master and Commander, and what I’ve seen of Hornblower, I believe I’d like that too. But none of them quite seem like something I’d enjoy reading so much as watching (I’ve read one James Herriot book).
So, it’s official, last night I gave Perelandra to my mum and told her I had to stop reading it, so she (or dad) is going to read them. 😛
Oho, I bet you’ll like Hornblower. *gleeful grin* If you like M&C already…
I’ve only read the first Hornblower book and wasn’t impressed, but the mini-series is one of our favoritest things.
Very good. *firm nod* Hope you’ll/they’ll not have a hard time coming to a satisfactory descision, whatever it be. 😉
@emma-flournoy *thinking I’d already replied to this* Yeah, I’d seen a little bit of the mini-series and liked the look of it.
You know what really got me in Perelandra? When he started calling Weston the Un-man. *shudders*
AGH YES, I’d forgotten about that. *shudders with you* Yeah.
I don’t what it was about it, but that was the real deal-breaker for me.
C.r.e.e.p.y.
So, what are you reading now? I’m still in Boxen, but I’m nearly finished, and after that I’m going to read Animal Farm (I know nothing about it – do you know if it’s any good?)
@PerfectFifths I’m on the third book of Sanderson’s Mistborn trilogy now. They’re pretty good books (talk about insane plot twists—huge page-turners). The prose has a ton of telling instead of showing and uses the same body language tags WAY too much, and generally drives me nuts; and I also don’t like the books as well as I might because there aren’t enough absolute morals. :/ But the characterization is good, and some of the themes, and the plotting. OH, and the worldbuilding. It’s pretty original, and real interesting with the “magic” system, and political intrigue and that sorta thing.
Ah yes, Animal Farm! I’ve read that, and it is good. It’s NOT a fun or happy story, and is also slightly less relatable because it’s about animals, but the message is great. Basically on the flaws and awful un-work-ability of Communism and systems like that. It’s pretty sad, but gets the point across. It’s also very short and so not a task to read. I recommend.
@emma-flournoy I think Mistborn is in my to-read shelf on Goodreads…
Yes, I kinda had an idea that it’s not a warm-and-fuzzy animal book, and, to be honest, I’m only reading it because it is short, and I’m trying to finish my Goodreads reading challenge I set for myself – not that I don’t have enough breathing room as it is. XD But I’m only two books away. 😛
Well two books away ain’t bad at all. Especially if one of them is Animal Farm, of course. 😀
Yep. And I’m finding it interesting, if not enjoying it. Definitely worth the read though.
Great.
I just finished Animal Farm last night. It was depressing, and disgusting, but still worth the read. I could tell exactly what was going on the whole time, but the animals were painfully unaware. And in the end, they were no better off than when they started, if not worse!
I KNOW. It’s so painful. *ascends soapbox and yells at the world* COMMUNISM IS HORRID FOR EVERYONE!
What’s ironic is, George Orwell was something of a socialist himself, though not Communist level. Maybe he didn’t realize the hypocrisy in writing something like that, or just didn’t see it the same way. But it’s quite sad.
Maybe he believed in the ideals, but only saw the corruption, so was sending a message to fellow socialists? I don’t know much about all the isms. 😛
Suffice it to say, all the isms are mucho flawed.
I figured that much. 😛
Are you participating in NaNo, or are you the one that doesn’t write? (I keep forgetting 😛 ).
Yup, that’s me. So no, instead I get to sit around and congratulate myself that I’m just a bibliophile and not a writer, and so need not go through the pain of NaNo. XD
*shudder* Seriously, it sounds like a ton o’ work. Are you doing it? Have you done it before?
All right, is Kate participating in NaNo? 😛
Yes I am, yes I have, and yes it is a lot of work, but this year I’m using it as the way to start writing consistently again.One of my good friends is helping me by doing word sprints with me every day and keeping me on track. 😛
No…I don’t know if she’s ever considered it seriously, but I don’t think it’d fit very well with our schedule anyway. We have a cabin rental business which we handle as a family, so I don’t know if the busyness of NaNo would work out quite right. 😛 I dunno though, maybe she’ll try it out sometime.
Ah yes, sprints and accountability are very good. 😀
Ah, fair enough. It is busy. But at the rate I’m going at the moment, I have a week’s wiggle-room up my sleeve, which is nice. 😀
Sweeeeet. I love wiggle-room. And I hate pressure. Naturally.
What genre is your story?
Um, I don’t know what’d you call it. Speculative fiction, but that’s a very wide genre. It’s about some kid superheros (about 11-14 in ages at the beginning) who were implanted with technology in their brains to give them superhuman abilities (super-speed, flying, breathing underwater, things like that) and their fight against villains, great and not-so-great.
Definitely within the genre of speculative fiction. 😀 I don’t know what it would be called specifically either, but it sounds cool.
Yeah, it’s fun to write. It’s actually a rewrite of a previous series I did about 4-5 years ago called the Crimson Angel. It has the same characters, but I’ve added a few more as well.
Ah, rewrites. I know a little about those. From semi-personal experience, ya know. Amazing revamped second drafts and that sorta thing, at least, by the author my sister. 😛 They’re kinda fun. (Aside from all the old stuff that ends up getting cut that I loved. :'( At least it’s semi-made up for with awesome new material.)
And I bet the addition of new characters is fun too.
Very fun. I’m taking several elements from the originals, and just making them better in the rewrites. It was mostly the plots that needed help. 😛
Those stodgy old plots. XD
I just finished the third book of the Mistborn trilogy, and if I wasn’t convinced enough before, it’s now undoubtedly proven: that guy’s strength is SO the plot. Good GRIEF. It’s very, very insane. I don’t know how anyone can think up such twists and un-cliche things. Amazing.
Sounds amazing. And inspiring, at least to a writer. There are only so many plots you can write when you’re rearranging the same 26 letters, and finding a way to twist the cliché is hard.
Yupper dupper.
XD
Have you ever tried writing, or is it definitely 100% not your thing? 😀
@PerfectFifths Weeeellll, I wrote when I was younger of course. The typical ripoffs and that sorta thing. Several books, historical fiction and fantasy. Not long, and NOT quality. XD Those don’t exactly count.
Since I’ve been older and know the correct ways of writing—not very much. I have, in fact, tried my hand at just a few short little things sometimes (seriously seldom), fan stuff for Kate’s book. I’m sure you never would have guessed that would be my material. XD Little bits of scenes and that kinda thing. They were never long, I never showed them to anyone, and I always erased them. It was just experimentation to see how well I could do. 😉 I’d like to actually try and finish a whole scene/sequence sometime though, and get it good enough to be read by someone other than me. Dunno if that’ll ever happen. 😛
So it’s not that I can’t see myself writing; and I actually think I could do it decently. I know a ton of stuff about it from hanging around here, and Kate of course—I know enough to know what to do for quality. But I just…don’t feel like I need to do it. I feel like I could, and it’d be fun, and I actually do want to try and test my skills with something very small sometimes, but I don’t feel like I could do it all the time. I’d likely be far too depressed, perfectionist, and hair-tearing, AND I don’t have time. Violin (and beta-reading) is bad enough for worrying about. XD Those love-hate relationships. AND just, Kate’s is enough for me. I’m happier being involved with her stuff than with the prospect of doing my own new stuff… I guess it’s kinda weird to think that way. Maybe I’d think differently if I actually HAD my own stuff. ;P
So no, it’s not definitely 100% not my thing, but just… I could do it, but I don’t particularly want to. Not that I hate the idea, it’s just I don’t feel like I have too. 😀
I know how to write reports/essays pretty well though. 😉 I wrote a nice detailed one on Tolkien once. It was fun. Especially all the learning about his personality and stuff. I could probably do it better now though…it was about a year ago. 😛
Anyway, there’s your lovely short answer. XD Writing is a good thing.
Wow, lovely short answer indeed! 😀 I get what you’re saying, and I agree, sometimes I don’t feel like I have to write either, and that just makes it more fun when I do, and less stressful when I don’t (like this month so far, I’ve written at least something everyday, and I hadn’t written for weeks). It’s a passion, but I think it’s now a smaller passion, compared to others (like music and violin – I’m now learning viola as well, and we just got my mum a cello for her birthday!).
And you’re right, you may feel differently if you had your own stuff, but if you’re content with Kate’s stuff, and not so interested in trying to think of your own, that works too. 😀
Yup, that makes sense. 😀
Oooooh, I LOVE the sound of viola, and would probably play it if we had one. That WONDERFUL middle-deep warm range it has. *shivers* Beautiful. And when you already know violin I’m sure it won’t be so difficult.
And that’s hilarious you got your mom a cello! It’s our mom’s dream to have a cello someday, and we’ve thought about buying one for her before. We decided to wait, ’cause it’d be years from now if she ever had enough time…but still. How lovely!
Actually, it’s harder than you’d think to learn viola, even after learning violin, because the strings are different (C, G, D, A) and the clef is different, so the notes are in different places. *confusion* But yes, it is lovely. And my mum loves her cello. 😀
That’s true. (Alto clef…where Middle C is on the 3rd line. Or somewhere thereabouts. Not right. *raises eyebrows*) Also do you have to put your fingers further apart for each note? I tried out a friend’s viola once and it sounded slightly off at first because I’m used to the smaller amount of space between violin notes.
Yeah, that’s right, I think it’s middle C. The third line is a C, either way. 😛 And yeah, a little bit farther apart, because the strings are longer. The viola I’m using is my conductor’s old one, and it has tape where the fingerings go, so I just have to put my fingers where the tape is. 😛
Oh yeah, there was tape for the fingerings on the 3/4 violin I first learned on, and it made that part of learning a lot faster.
Yeah, before I got my first full-sized violin, I had to borrow one from the store I purchased it through, because it was taking forever to come. And that one had tape on the fingerboard, so by the time I had my own (many weeks later 😉 ) I didn’t need to put tape on because I had pretty much learned the fingerings.
How long have you been playing for? I don’t think if I’ve asked you that.
About…3 and a half years. I started in March 2014, along with my oldest sister Elizabeth.
I’m not sorry I did, either. Even if it does get depressing sometimes. 😛
Yeah, it can be hard. I haven’t been learning for quite that long (mid-2015, I think), but I started a whole lot later than most people would, so I was able to learn some of it pretty quickly. I don’t practice as often as I should, though. 😛 Twice a week at least with orchestra and lessons, but still, I should do it more.
Twice a week…that makes me feel a little better about myself. XD I probably don’t even do that much currently though, not with consistency. I don’t have orchestra or lessons either. Being largely self-taught (and YOU-TUBE), I don’t have a whole bunch of accountability. :/
But I used to play it like 6 days a week! I have so plummeted. 😛
XD Yeah, I used to be really consistent too. It’s quite terrible, actually. I need to get back into doing it more, especially now since I’m also learning a second instrument.
Yeah, I need to too.
Maybe we could keep each other accountable? Set a goal to try and practise 30 minutes everyday (or something to that affect)? I’m finding keeping my word-count accountable to someone every day very helpful.
@perfectfifths Ah…this probably sounds really wimpy, but I think that wouldn’t work for me, not at this point. I think our/my schedule’s too erratic; and I do more stuff now than I did when I used to play that often. HOWEVER, I do think it’d probably be real good if we could just poke each other every so often—every few weeks, months, something—to remind each other to KEEP CRACKING! Because I still need to play more than I do, even if I can’t commit to any certain amount every day. So an every-now-and-then general accountability check would help me quite a bit, I think. I’d almost certainly be more likely to try harder.
I know it’s not the same as daily accountability, but it’d be better than nothing, right? That was a good idea, thanks. 😀 Even though I’m sort of turning you down. Life. :/
@perfectfifths And I don’t know how much that would help YOU, but…I hope some at least.
Fair enough, and yes, I think an every-now-and-then poke would still be helpful. 🙂 But I get you about business. My mum is doing our church’s Christmas service, and it’s going to be pretty amazing, I reckon. And I’m helping her with arranging the music, as well as singing in the choir and playing, so I’m busier than usual as well at the moment. Maybe when Christmas is over, I’ll have more time to get into the habit, then hopefully the fact that it’s a habit will make me more consistent. 😀
Wow, that sounds like a lot of work. Music is overall such an amazing gift, isn’t it. 😀 Hope it goes well.
Yeah, habits. It used to be a habit with me, but apparently it wasn’t strong enough. :/ But even a non-constant accountability check will help some.
It is…
Speaking of, have you practised lately? 😉 Don’t feel bad if you haven’t, because I think I’ve only practised once this week besides a lesson yesterday, and we didn’t have orchestra this week. 😛
I HAVE, actually. 😀 Not a whole lot by myself, but at least three or four times this week, counting when I practice trios and/or duets with my sisters. We’ve been doing that more than usual this week, and it’s not quite the same as single practice, but I like to think it counts a little. Thanks for checking up. 😉 😀
Oh, good for you! 😀 Yeah, I’ve had a friend come over a couple of times to play duets, and it’s really fun, and very different from doing it with my teacher or on my own. I think it’s not so much proper practice as just playing as well. An instrument should not just sit in its case. 🙂
Exactly. 😉
And happy Thanksgiving, if Aussies celebrate it. 😀
😀 I did some practise this week too (yesterday in fact. It was good). And I’ll be playing tonight at the musician’s rehearsal for our Church Christmas thing (which we’re calling This is Love, after the Paul Baloche song).
It’s not an Australian holiday, but my dad is American, so we celebrate it sometimes. 😉 We’re having a turkey tomorrow night for “Thanksgiving Dinner.” 🙂 Happy Thanksgiving to you, too! 😀
Good good. 😉
How did your Thanksgiving go? 🙂
@PerfectFifths Quite well, thank you. 😀 It was very nice. Yours?
It was good. 😀
Oh, and I beat NaNo last night. 😀
CONGRATULATIONS!!! With a few days to spare. That must be QUITE a good feeling. 😉
Yes! It is! 😀 I’m not jumping around the room like I thought I would, but inwardly celebrating that I made it. 🙂
*high-five* Inward celebration doesn’t mean you’re any less enthusiastic. 😉
So, have you practiced lately? I imagine you’ve been practicing for your Christmas program. I practiced the other day, but for the most part I haven’t been doing much. :/ We’re really really busy right now. (Classic excuse, I know. But we really are. 😛 )
Uhm… I practise when the musos have our rehearsal, and I’m going to start bringing my violin for the choir rehearsals to play with the songs I’m not singing, so that’ll be about 4 times a week if I understand the schedule correctly. But not much otherwise. 😛
@PerfectFifths Eh, it comes and goes as usual. 😛 That sounds like a good idea though!
Yep. 😛 I have stuff I need to do, but it has to wait until after Christmas at the very least because of all the other stuff we have to do. 😉 We haven’t even decorated yet. D:
Christmas can be hectic. 😛 But it’s so worth it because it’s SO COZY AND WARM AND JOYFUL. And means so much, obviously.
Well, we’d love the joyful, but cosy and warm, not so much thank you. 😉 How about cool and breezy? 🙂
*facepalm* I FORGOT. XD Yes indeed… It’s quite hard for me to imagine what it’s like having Christmas in Summer. Or Spring. Whichever it is over there. 😛
Summer. I love our summer Christmasses, they truly feel Christmassy to me. I have experienced one white Christmas in my life, and I would like to have another, but so long as it’s not too hot or humid, our Christmasses are fine. 🙂
Well, I guess that works. You’d probably find 20 degree Christmases odd. 😀
Guess what? My oldest sister, Elizabeth—the other violin player in our family as of right now—and I have a chance for lessons! It came up sort of unexpectedly… We went to audition to play in the Christmas program of Ohio Christian University (which is only about half an hour away from where we live), and while we ended up not playing in it for various reasons (though Kate sang in it), we did end up with the prospect of bi-monthly lessons from two of the girls in the orchestra. They’re really nice, and around our age, and since they’re not actual violin teachers, though they will be teaching us, it won’t be nearly as expensive as violin lessons usually are. The guy we went to audition for is the first violinist of the orchestra, and a violin teacher at OCU, and he suggested those girls to give us some lessons. And they’re, apparently, up for it. 😀 We’re quite happy about the prospect, though we’re not finished working it out. Praise the Lord, though. It’ll be accountability, too. *scowls* I mean, *grins*.
Whooo! That’s so exciting! Have you ever taken lessons before, or are you two self-taught? (If so, that is extra impressive, because I would have no idea how one would do that! XD)
@PerfectFifths Yup, we’re self-taught. But we in all likelihood could NOT have done it without the help of YouTube. *shudder* Yes. So we had no actual lessons, but we learned a ton of stuff from violin people/teachers on YouTube. And were helped along a bit by some friends, who lent us a violin to begin with.
But we have zero experience with actual, paid-for music lessons of any kind. So this shall be interesting.
So it’s not precisely just SELF self-taught, but you get the idea. ;P YouTube is something to be thankful for.
Very nice! I hope you enjoy it! 😀
Yeah, YouTube is great.
Thanks. 😀
So, I’m guessing you can read music and all that sort of thing? 😀 It’s handy to know, unless you plan on being an Irish fiddler? 😉
Yup. I learned basic music theory when I learned piano, and while I’m not an expert, I know quite a bit, and can sight-read easily. It is quite handy.
I do wish I could fiddle in addition to classical, though, seriously. 😛 I wish I knew how.
Yeah, reading music is a really good skill. But I know what you mean about fiddling. The luthier who restored my violin can’t read a bit of music, but he’s an amazing Irish fiddler. 😀 And one our friends, he can’t read music, but he’s really good on the piano.
Sounds amazing, of course. ;P I have a good musical ear/sense of tune, too, which I’m thankful for as well, but I still can’t make gorgeous harmonies and improvise amazingly like nobody’s business and that sort of thing. Much to my sorrow. I can harmonize and improvise if I work at it, but it’s not second nature or anything.
Yeah, I agree, I would love to be able to do that.
That being said, I did manage to create something of a nice (if repetitive) tune when my brother and I were trying out a violin pick-up my conductor lent to me. 😛
@PerfectFifths Sweet. 😀 Is that brother Leumeister? Does he play the violin too?
Yeah, I’ve ‘composed’ a couple things, that turned out decently, but I have to work at it, and not being repetitive is definitely a challenge. That, and not just piggy-backing off of all the other tunes you know. 😛
Yeah, it is. And no, he doesn’t. 😛 To be honest, I don’t even trust him to hold the violin, because he doesn’t listen to me when he does and hold it properly, so he’s lost his violin-holding privileges. 😉 It’s annoying, because he asked to hold it, but still didn’t listen. 😛
Oh, yeah, piggy-backing can be hard, because there is so much great stuff out there, you want to make something equally as epic. How do you do that? By making it sound the same! XD
Ha! Eh well…it’s gotta be kind of hard for non-violinists to be able to hold it just correctly, even if they DO try. ;P But it IS good to listen. 😉
We were once so clueless.
I KNOW!!! By making it sound the same. And you CAN’T. *fumes*
Are you liking The Count of MC?
I have to say, pretty much everyone I’ve tried to teach how to hold the violin and bow have been frustrating (including my mum and my best friend) except one, one of my mum’s good friends. I think she’s a natural and sometimes when she comes over, we have “lessons.” I think she wants to play more often, but she doesn’t have a violin yet.
No, apparently you can’t. Apparently some people have a problem with that. 😉
I’m liking it! It’s a bit confusing at times, and I don’t like the character of Dantes as much now as I first did, because it sounds like he wants to get revenge on people (which, you know, who can blame him, he was put in prison for 14 years though he was innocent). But I’m still very early in the story, I feel. It’s a long book. XD
Poor people. 😛 But naturals are always encouraging.
Eheh, yep, I feel ya. It was a very good book, but I know what you’re talking about. *cough* The revenge is sorta the point… 😛 Once you FINISH the book, you’ll see how it plays out to be a good book nonetheless. Thought it’s still not perfect, and it’s NOT as good as Les Miserables, EVER. Which I hope you’ll read sometime. *endearing grin* ‘Tis amazing.
😀
Oh, I have no doubt it’s a good book. But I may not always agree with the protagonist’s choices. 😉 Les Mis, though, I actually have lined up to read after Monte Cristo. 😀 It looks like it’s going to be equally as long. XD
Indeed, you most certainly won’t agree. XD
Oh, YAHOO!!! I’m incredibly happy. It’s even a little longer, but SO worth it. Good choice. 😉
It feels like the story is jumping around between characters. I’ve just been reading about Franz and his interesting night on Monte Cristo with Signor Sinbad. Except I think Sinbad is Dantes. Except I’m not certain. XD
Are you on Goodreads?
*snickers* Dantes and his disguises.
Yeah, there’s a fair bit of jumping around, but it’s kinda nice sometimes because you wouldn’t want to ALWAYS be stuck with Dantes’ point of view. XD And there are some other really great characters in there.
No… I hardly even know what Goodreads is. 😛 I mean, I know what it is, but I’m not sure what it’s FOR. What’s it for?
XD I guess not, but I want to know his story. Right now I’m hearing more about Luigi Vampa and Teresa.
Goodreas is really cool. It’s a site that you can list all the books you’ve read/want to read. You can rate them, review them, compare your shelves with your friends. You can use it to keep track of how many books you’ve read in a year, and set a goal for an amount. And you can track your progress in your book by putting in the page number you’re on. Like for me with Monte Cristo, I’m up to page 321, and I’m 29% of the way through.
@PerfectFifths
YAY. Luigi Vampa…has problems.
That does sound cool! I actually keep a manual account, a notebook, of all the books I read, and the dates on which I start and finish them. But still, Goodreads sounds neat. More than just keeping track.
Lol, I don’t know him very well yet. Now it’s Franz and Albert again and the Carnival, which just ended when I finished the chapter. 😉
That’s cool! 😀 Yeah, Goodreads suggests books, based on what you’ve read and rated, you can make multiple shelves (like Fantasy, Historical, Sci-fi, whatever you want, really). You can add friends, and recommend books to them, and people like and comment on your ratings and reviews.
For the record, I love Albert to pieces. None of the characters in there are perfect by a long shot, but he’s one of my favorites. 😉
Sweeeet. Sounds like an organizer’s dream, too. 😛 I love categorizing things in their own place.
Yeah, I think I like Albert, and Franz. They have very different personalities, but they seem like they’re best friends. 😉
Yeah, I love thinking of new categories and going through all my list books and putting them in them. A single book can be listed on multiple shelves.
Yup. Franz isn’t bad, though he doesn’t get much more main. But Albert has many more large parts to play, and some of ’em are REALLY great. 😉 Do you like (if you’ve met him yet…I can’t remember if he’s come in at this point) Maximilian? He’s pretty sweet too, though has some slightly lovestruck issues. XD
Cool.
Aw, really? I liked him a little better out of the two. But it’s kind of clever how the author uses Franz’ pov to get to know Albert for when we switch to his pov.
No, I haven’t met him yet. I’ll keep an lookout for him. 😉
Well, I think I liked Franz better first too. At the very least he’s more mature than Albert at this point, I think… ;P I don’t remember him too well though, ’cause he wasn’t much of a main character later on. Maybe I liked him better than I thought. 😀
Right though, that’s a good tactic on the author’s part.
Merry Christmas. 😀
I’ve met Maxamillion Morrel now. The author says we have met him before, and I may vaguely remember him, but I remember of M. Morrel’s daughter more than his son.
Merry Christmas! 😀
Ahhhhh! Mercedes is Albert’s mother! 😀 😀 I knew we’d see her again, I just wasn’t expecting so soon! And I think she knows – or suspects – who M. le Comte is.
AHHHHH YES!!! Isn’t it great?! *sly grin* It does kinda creep up on you. And then it’s like AHHHH!
Yeah, Maximillian was there before briefly, but it wasn’t for long. You’ll definitely get to know him more.
I think it’s all really cute and sweet, for some reason. XD I mean, it’s sad that she lost her first lover, but she did move on and eventually have a family of her own after all.
I just read M. le Comte’s footman’s account of the assassination of Villefort. It’s a shame about the child, becoming such a brat. 😛
Ah wow, you have an optimistic approach. XD That’s true…*sniff* But it’s so…sad. It gets sadder. Do you know who Albert’s father is yet?
And I love how much Albert loves his mother.
Oh yeah, quite. Just wait. All your threads will eventually converge and you will be thoroughly disgusted. And/or horrified. I imagine. 😛
lol, yeah, I love how Albert loves her too. And I haven’t made any connections, but I know his father is a count or something. 😛 But is it someone we knew of beforehand?
Well, the fact that Caderousse and his wife just murdered a jeweller so that they could have their cake and eat it too already disgusts me. And I thought he was a nice fellow, if not a coward.
*wiggles eyebrows* Why on earth would I tell you that.
You’ve probably come to it by now…
UGH! Help. Yeah. It’s bad.
“It was Edmond Dantes!”
I actually smiled when I read this when Morrel figured it out. And M. le Comte was right there when they told of it, and he was like Joseph, in disguise among his loved ones, hearing their story and trying not to cry and break his cover. And I’m like, “Just reveal yourself already, Dantes! It’ll make you and them feel better!” XD
Probably not, because I still haven’t made a connection. I was actually too tired to read last night. Okay, maybe not too tired, but my brain couldn’t focus.
Yeah.
I KNOW!!! It’s so awesome and at the same time so horribly frustrating ’cause you want it to be out SO BAD. I love scenarios like that. In that frustrated way, you know. 😉 Poor everybody.
Ooh, cool. You still get to be in suspense then.
I just find it frustrating. I mean, I know the rest of the story probably won’t happen if they did, but in some cases, that would probably be all for the better for the characters. XD
Yeah. 😛
Oh yes, the characters unwittingly bring themselves so much pain and other…STUFF that could be avoided. They really don’t know what’s good for them, I guess. XD
Nope.
So, I’m 65% of the way through, and still very much in the dark (I feel). Let’s see, Villefort’s father-in-law has just died, and his widow, (Villefort’s mother-in-law) thinks she saw his ghost come to her so that she’s going to die soon. In consequence, the marriage between Valentine and Franz will be rushed so that she can be there, which makes things look bleak for Valentine and Maximilian. Dantes and Mercedes just had an interesting conversation in the greenhouse and garden, and I don’t understand why he didn’t eat the grape. *thinks* I think that’s all. 😛
I had to make a character list to keep up with all the characters and their relations to each other.
Edmond Dantes: The Count of Monte Cristo himself. Has many alias, including Sinbad the Sailor, Abbe Busoni and Lord Wilmore.
Villefort: The procurer de roi that had Dantes imprisoned; husband of Madame de Villefort; father of Valentine and Edward
Madame de Villefort: Villefort’s second wife; Valentine’s stepmother
Valentine: Villefort’s daughter; in love with Maximilien, but betrothed to Franz D’epinay
Maximilien Morrel: Morrel’s son, Julia’s brother; in love with Valentine
Noirtier: Villefort’s Bonapartist, paralysed father; very fond of Valentine; does not like Franz (because he killed his Franz’s Royalist father)
Danglers: one of the original conspirators against Edmond; husband of Baroness Danglers and father of Eugenie
Baroness Danlgers: Danglers’ wife and Eugenie’s mother
Eugenie: Danglers’ daughter; betrothed to Albert de Morcerf
Count de Morcerf: Mercedes’ husband and Albert’s father
Mercedes: Edmond’s bethroted but now believes he’s dead (although I suspect she suspects Monte Cristo)
Albert de Morcerf: Mercedes’ and Count de Morcerf’s son; friend of Franz D’epinay
Franz D’epinay: Albert’s friend; first met the Count on Monte Cristo and knew him as Sinbad; betrothed to Valentine
Bendetto: Villefort and Madame Danglers’ illegitimate son; paid by Mone Cristo to act as M. Cavalcanti, the “long-lost son” of Major Calvalcanti (reason yet unknown, except to possibly embarrass Villefort and Madame Danglers).
Bravo, that’s quite a list! Very comprehensive. I love it. So, you’re not totally in the dark…not about everything. 😛 Isn’t it all just a convoluted mess?! Poor EVERYONE! (Except for…well, some people, who…I find it hard to pity and perhaps don’t deserve it, yet who still are (or will be) in wretched circumstances.)
And yesss the orchard scene between M. le Comte and his former *wails* yeah. It’s tickling just at the edge of my mind why he didn’t eat the grape; I know it was some semi-important subtextual detail, but I can’t remember exactly what. It’s been awhile since I read it. 😛
So who’s your least favorite character out of all the many wretched people, and who’s your favorite (if you have one)? Do you like Maximilian, even if he IS JUST A LITTLE too…passionate of a lover. 😛
And are you enjoying the book or not really? I’d understand either way. XD
And it has SUCH a huge cast. It’s kinda great, actually, even though it’s difficult to keep them all straight.
Haha, I guess not. 😛
Yes, poor everyone. I feel especially bad for Albert for some reason, because M. le Comte didn’t allow Haydee to say she remembered the name of Albert’s father in her backstory.
Well, when I learn it, I’ll let you know.
My least favourite character is probably… Either Villefort of Danglers, since they were meanies to Edmond and pretty much started this whole issue.
My favourite is probably Albert. I do like Maximilen, though I do think threatening to commit suicide if Valentine wouldn’t elope with him and end up marrying Franz was a bit OTT and manipulative – I feel sorry for Valentine in that regard. She’s also a favourite, but not as much.
I am enjoying the book! I love the huge cast, all the little subplots, and I’d love to be able to write a book like that (it would take A LOT of planning, because you really couldn’t make up anything as you go along).
Oh. In case you were ever wondering about the Countess G– and why her name is blanked out like that, I read it’s because she was Countess Teresa Guiccioli, a real person living at the time, the wife of Lord Byron.
Hey, sorry to spam. XD But I’m just really excited about this book. 😀 I just learned that M. le Comte de Morcerf is Fernand (except I knew that already, accidentally finding that out in my research to make my character list – I just didn’t acknowledge it until I found out in the book 😉 ).
Albert wants to duel with Beauchamp because of his printing that information (even though the information in no way reveals that it’s his father, and I’m wondering whether he’s not overreacting a bit XD).
Uhm… what else is happening…? Maximilien is happy because the engagement is broken between Franz and Valentine (on that note, Valentine’s happy too).
Danglers for some reason no longer wants Albert to be Eugenie’s husband (which I think is because of who Albert’s father is). Bendetto seems to be in love with Eugenie, which would be weird, because she’s his half-sister. O_O
I think that’s it, although I want to rant about it more, but I have nothing else to say! XD
YAAAHHHH YOU’RE COMING TO THE DUEL!!! *uncontrollable flailing* I don’t have time to reply to all the comments tonight, but I shall get to it. But I just wanted to say—THE DUEL! I was going to be asking you if you’d gotten there yet, and I was trying to think of a way to ask it without giving spoilers, in case you weren’t there yet. ;P But anyway. You’ll be there soon. One of my VERY favorite scene sequences in the whole book. For REASONS. *screams* Yeah.
And don’t worry about spamming me. XD I adore a good rant. I’m just looking forward to when you’re reading Les Mis too. *wiggles eyebrows*
AHHH!!! Now you just made me more excited!!! *big cheesy grin* I kind of hope they duel with swords, but from what Beauchamp said, they’ll probably be using pistols (not as fun, in my opinion 😛 ).
Well hurry up and sleep so you can fangirl with me! XD
I only said sorry as a courtesy, I didn’t really mean it. XD XD
Well, we’ll have to start a whole new conversation for Les Mis. But as I’m reading Monte Cristo, I can see why it’s one of (or is) Deaus’ favourite. 😀
Haha, I was just re-reading some of our conversation about this, and you were asking me if I knew who Albert’s father is yet. And now I do – Fernand! XD It kind of annoys me that Mercedes went to be with him after all, especially since she said she considered him a brother more than anything, but with her lover supposedly dead, and probably no one else to take care of her, he would have been the next best choice… If it weren’t for the fact he was partly responsible for the supposed death of said lover. XD
Oh and also, my sister and I had our first violin lessons yesterday. They were good; pretty simple so far…hopefully it doesn’t stay too simple for a long time or I might feel like we’re not learning much we don’t already know. But I shall try to be patient. And this’ll basically force accountability on me now, so I’VE PLAYED THE VIOLIN THREE DAYS IN A ROW NOW. XD HOPEFULLY, I can keep it up.
Nice!! Maybe your teacher is starting easy to see where you’re at. I found it can get harder pretty quickly (especially if you’re an older student starting with the basics – you don’t stay at the basics for very long). I’ve been on the Grade 3 book for most of the year last year. Yay for consistency! Doesn’t it feel great? 😀 (I haven’t been very consistent for a while, though I have played a bit more this year).
That makes sense. It’s an encouraging thought. 😀 And yes it feels great! I just hope I can consistently be consistent. ;P
Yeah. Another possibility is that your teacher might want to make sure you learn “properly.” With our singing lessons, our teacher is teaching us a lot about technique. Like, my brother and I can sing, but we didn’t sing properly (which is important), and she’s teaching us how – after our first lesson, my throat didn’t feel strained at all, because she taught me how to sing correctly. So that involves a lot of interruptions and a lot to think about while singing, rather than just standing there and paying someone to let us sing.
That makes a lot of sense too. I think it less likely that’s the case here, because she actually commended my technique and stuff (which made me rather happy. 😛 ), but I suppose it never hurts to make sure even so. And I have problems with staccato. 😛
Yeah. Just ideas, since I have no idea how your technique is. 😉
Yup, and I thank you. 😀
Are you having weekly lessons, or more or less often?
Hopefully twice a month. Every-other-weekly or something along those lines.
Nice. I have mine weekly, but we also don’t pay (it could get too much otherwise). My dad mows my teacher’s lawn for my lessons. XD
Aah! That’s great! Lucky duck. ;P Yeah, the main reason we’ve never done lessons before is because of the cost. SO expensive, not to mention the cost of driving and stuff. BUT, since these are students teaching us (albeit very advanced ones), and not professional violin teachers, we’ve got it for $10 per lesson/person. So, all together, $40 per month for both of us. Which…doesn’t seem so cheap as $10 per lesson, and could also build up really fast. *mope* It’s sad. But we’ll see how it goes.
$10 a lesson isn’t bad. Usually it would be $30 a lesson if we paid, but Dad does work in kind, so I’m really blessed to be able to have lessons like that. And my teacher’s become a family friend (we have a habit of doing that XD). Sometimes we look after her cats when she goes away. And when my mum was unable to take me to lessons for a time, she came here. And she took me out when we went trying out violins when I got my new one.
But yeah, my teacher is professional, so it would be more expensive. 😛
I keep being pleasantly surprised to see you’ve replied again, because I keep thinking it must be almost night by now in Australia. 😛 It’s mid-morning over here.
Aw, that’s great. 😀 I love it when your associates become good friends as well.
Let’s see, it’s almost 10 past 8 in the morning now. That post was about 9 hours ago according to KP, so I posted that around 11 last night. Sounds about right. 😛 I usually try and be in bed by then, but sometimes it doesn’t work. XD
Yeah. 😀
XD
@PerfectFifths Starting again down here because the other chain’s getting so long…
Reply #1—and look, I got to one of them at least tonight after all! It’s long. You don’t have to reply to every single aspect. XD
Yeah, I feel bad for Albert in a lot of ways. 😛 But I’m glad he’s your favorite. He’s probably mine too, though honestly it’s probably just as closely tied with Edmond sometimes. Despite EVERYTHING, and much of the time Ed just makes me want to scream, for good reason…ya know. But yeah. I love Albert to death, poor guy.
Yeeeaaahhh…Villefort and Danglars and their kind. I don’t remember if I had a least favorite, though those two were probably included. Andrea Cavalcanti (aka Benedetto) is also just awful, though not quite so…evil as the others. He’s more just spoiled rotten and horribly selfish. But I can’t stand him. Danglars is probably very nearly my least favorite. M. le Comte isn’t too far behind sometimes either. XD
And yes. Maximilian has SERIOUS problems. He’s pretty lovable for the most part, but I most certainly don’t agree with his method for a lot of stuff. XD Valentine wasn’t bad either.
Yeah, it’s pretty tangled in the best way. I love how everything connects. Those are my favorite kinds of books.
Ah! That works. I had wondered that, thank you. 😉
Reply #2:
‘I only said sorry as a courtesy, I didn’t really mean it. XD’
Of course. I know precisely what you mean. XD
As for Albert’s father…YEAH. (Ahh, I hate it when you accidentally get a spoiler through research of some sort. I’ve done that several times. Oh well. At least you know legitimately now.) Yup, I’m with you on the Mercedes/Fernand thing. It’s sad, and it’s so HORRIBLY vexing in every way, not the least of which is because Eddy’s still alive. *weeps* Things get worse, don’t worry.
And the duel…yesh. I agree, swords are cooler, and ’tis pistols that are used, but don’t worry. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with…things. *snickers* Involving certain PEOPLE.
Yeah, I don’t remember all the Eugenie details but I’m pretty sure some really weird things went on.
And yes, Les Mis would surely need a different discussion.
Yup, the book’s pretty great. It’s not my favorite, or probably even in my top five, partly due to how it ends and how something turns out, which I didn’t really like at all. It’s sad. But so much of it was great. As you’re experiencing. 😉
Now. Goodnight. I got to it after all. 😀
OH, and one more thing—do you realize, this makes it so Albert could have—sort of—been our own M. le Comte’s son? But then—everything happened? And it just makes me SAD. *wails*
And on a side note, I think Albert’s very like his mother. Just a little more impulsive though. XD I like Mercedes. Which is another thing that just makes everything so much more awful.
YES! I have thought of that. I think Edmond has thought of it too, and I think he has a soft spot for Albert because of it (I could be way off). Anyway, Albert seems like one of his closest friends (if he has friends in that regard).
Yeah, I liked Mercedes a lot. She seemed sweet, and Albert seems really sweet too.
XD
Yeas. Sort of my fault, but no really, y’know? XD What? Worse? How is that even possible? XD
Shshshshsh! XD
I’m wondering how Les Mis could possibly be better than this, Emma. You said it was, but I’m loving this book so much, I don’t think I could stand it if something was better! XD
I think it’s my favourite. *grins*
Oh, I’m going to reply to every single aspect – if there’s something to say. XD
I think Albert represents what Edmond was, before everything went wrong. I loved Edmond in the beginning – possibly more than I love Albert now, though it’s close – and he could very well have been my favourite character (in fact he was for a time) until all this happened.
Bendetto doesn’t seem so evil at the moment as… Well, I’m not fond of him, nor his “father.” I feel a bit sorry for Villefort and Madame Danglers (well, most Madame) with what Monte Cristo is doing about all that.
Maximilen and Valentine seem like a good couple, just not my favourite. 😉
Yeah, it was driving me a bit crazy, but I never thought to look it up until I saw her name while reading (and by that time – at night – I wouldn’t have looked it up).
@PerfectFifths
Yeah, that’s a good thought…Albert being like Edmond might’ve been. I loved Edmond too, tons, and it’s so SAD.
Eh, yeah…Madame Danglars and Villefort and the big reveal. *grimace* Yeah, I do feel sorry for them, but still, they were still completely wrong in the first place. Obviously. Not that that makes what Dantes is doing fine AT ALL, though.
I know. I know. The pains of a curious mind. XD And it’s even possible all right. XD
Daeus would be proud. XD
Well, I mean…it all depends on your preference. Daeus has read Les Mis, but it’s not even in his top three favorite books, though he does love it. Sooo, sadly, I’m compelled to say it MIGHT not be the best book you ever read. *sorrowful eyes* But hey, it’s still worth a shot! And it’s definitely a slower-paced, less actiony-action, more philosophical and deeper and generally…slower, in places, than TCoMC, for sure. But I really liked all the philosophical stuff (even if it DID sometimes take too long on rabbit trails) and didn’t mind a slower plot. So I guess it depends on whether you just CRAVE action and adventure, or are equally fine with slower, deeper, and, if you can imagine it, more emotional, stuff. I guess we’ll see. 😉
I’m terribly glad you haven’t found TCoMC a disappointment, though. All the hype you’ve probably heard…
And NO, I don’t think you’re way far off on that at all. I totally think Edmond has a soft spot for Albert because of that. I LOVE their relationship.
Hopefully you’re able to make heads and tails of this since I combined replies and stuff. 😛
Very sad.
They were wrong, and Dantes is wrong, and two wrongs don’t make a right.
Yeah.
XD I tagged him when I said I was reading it, but he never responded. 😛 Think he’d appreciate hearing my opinion when I finish?
Hm, I love the action and intrigue of this plot. Other classic favourites of mine that have action are Robin Hood and Treasure Island, but I have other favourites that are quite different. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see. I didn’t get much hype about Monte Crsito (Deaus is probably the only one) I just decided to read it because we had it. I think my mum’s read it, but my dad hasn’t.
I think he may also have a soft spot for Maximilien, being Morrel’s son, but they haven’t interacted very much. He’s interacted with Albert the most. Albert’s the one he present to Haydee, the one he allowed her to tell her story to. And the one he saved from Luigi Vampa. 😉
Maybe you can explain something to be. I’ve just encountered Caderousse again, breakfasting with Bendetto. How do they know each other? I’m very confused. He speaks to him like an old friend, or someone he considered a son, but wasn’t it Monte Cristo’s steward’s sister that raised him? Or wouldn’t I have learned why yet?
Also, Borrios was just murdered (although they believe it was intended for Noitier), like Villefort’s in-laws. I don’t think Valentine did it, though the doctor does.
Indeed. Two wrongs shall never make a right. And mostly everyone in the book is wrong in some way shape or form.
I dunno…maybe! I’m sure he’d be thrilled to hear you loved it, at the very least. 😉
Well, cool. Lot of the time it’s better to read a book with no pre-existing expectations.
I know, I’m not helping Les Mis in this regard.
Yeah, I agree. He DOES have a heart!
Aahh…I’m sorry, I don’t remember. :/ I don’t remember basically anything about Benedetto being involved with Caderousse. My apologies. 😛 It’ll probably be explained though.
Aaaand as to THAT, yeah…just wait. You’ll learn.
Oh dear. Well, they’re only human. XD I just happen to really love some of them.
😀
XD Maybe not. The fact that it’s slower (even though you said you liked that) makes me think I won’t enjoy it as much. But I am definitely willing to give it a try. And I know I said I was going to read it right after, but just making it to the end of a big book, I need some “lighter” reading next, and my aunt lent me two HP books. 😉
Yeah, though it’s not exactly in the right place. XD
That’s okay. I’ll let you know when I find out.
I know for a fact it’s going to twist my expectations entirely. At the moment, I’m inclined to think Madame Villefort – but only because the author set it up in a way that I suspect her. I could be so wrong, and it does end up being Valentine. DX Or someone else entirely. *brain starts overworking*
I know. Me too.
Well, we shall see, we shall see. Rest assured, I won’t yell at you if you don’t like it as much. XD And yes, by all means, totally. Reading two 12-1400 page sagas right after each other might be a little exhausting. ;P I feel like I should know this, but what does HP stand for?
Exactly. XD
*creepy Gollum voice* Yoouu’ll see. Yooooouuuu’lll seeee!
This book is most definitely conducive to overworking brains. I feel you. XD
HP stands for Harry Potter. Tbh, I was hesitant to say it, because I know where some Christians stand about that, but I personally enjoy it (I’ve read two books).
Yeah, and I like brain work! XD
Oh, I understand whatcha mean. 😛 I’m on the other side of where Christians stand on that, but it’s all right, we don’t have to debate it. XD I’m not judging you.
Me too!
Our faces are gonna be sore from all our XDing. XD
Well, so was I, because our parents never allowed us to read/watch it. But two years ago (around Christmastime) I wanted to try , so I could make my own judgement for myself (this, I believe, is one of the things that’s got no clear right or wrong, only one’s convictions). So I borrowed it from my cousin (who’s like ten years younger than me – I wouldn’t have allowed a child to read it at his age *shakes head*). It wasn’t terrible, I liked it, but I didn’t think I’d want to continue. Well, last year (again, around Christmastime, so pretty much a year later) we all watched the first movie together, which I enjoyed a lot (more than the book even). So I borrowed my cousin’s next HP book and read that. I enjoyed it more, and we watched the movie (which again, I enjoyed more, though I can see a lot of missing potential). Anyway, I think our family wants to continue the movies (even my brother enjoys it, and he’s very sensitive to that kind of thing), and I’m only really reading the books for our sakes, to kind of know what to expect and see if it may be all right or not. And I’m weary as I read them, and I would hope that if God convicts me against continuing, I will listen and stop.
That went on longer than I intended. Anyway, I have a couple of other Christian friends who enjoy Harry Potter too.
That’s one of the reasons I believe I love classics more than modern-literature – they’re deeper and oftentimes heavier, and take more brain-power to read. Monte Cristo sometimes really puts me to work, with all the characters and history and jumping around. I consider a lot of the modern stuff I’ve read to be “light” reading, because it is comparatively.
*makes strange breathy-laugh noise out loud* XD
Oki, new line. XD
Caderousse and Bendetto were prisoners together on the galleys. Number 59 and 59. Lord Wilmore helped them both escape. That’s how they know each other.
Bendetto just murdered Caderousse, after Cadrousse tried to rob Monte Cristo (who confronted him as the Abbe Busoni). As he lay dying, he and the Abbe talked, and Monte Cristo removed his wig. Caderousse, but for Monte Cristo’s black hair, would have taken him for Lord Wilmore, and Monte Cristo admited that it was him. But Caderousse knew he knew him from somewhere else…
So Monte Cristo, “…uttered a name so low that the count himself appeared afraid to hear it.”
Caderousse begged God’s forgiveness. Then he died.
Mone Crsito counted “One.”
And I shuddered…
He revealed his true identity!! He didn’t actually say the name, so technically we’re still not “supposed” to know who he is (but any reader paying attention would have figured it out).
It suddenly feels like everything is starting to happen and fall into place, over 3/4 of the way through. XD
Oh, and there hasn’t been a duel yet. 😉
Ookay, I think I vaguely remember that.
AHHH! YES. The complete SHUDDER-WORTHYNESS of that scene. *shudders* It’s so. awful. And one of the other things I find really awful is that Monte Cristo uses the guise of a priest for one of his many disguises in which he brings about horrible things. A PRIEST! *scowl*
Yes yes yes…things are starting to click majorly now. It shall continue. *vigorous nodding*
Gahhh…the happening must be further from the initial challenge thing than I thought. You’ll get there. I can’t wait.
(But I will. 😛 )
Yeah, it’s only briefly mentioned.
Yeah, that is pretty awful. Caderousse thought so too, accusing him of making him feel bad instead of encouraging him in his death.
I wonder when the last time Edmond used his real name was…
*grins in excitement and fears for her favourite characters at the same time*
Yeah, I think they set the date to about a month later, or something along those lines. Yes, you must, because it’s not up to you how fast I get there, it’s up to how fast I read. 😛
The duel between Albert and Beauchamp is off, because Baeuchamp went to see if the facts about Albert’s father, Fernand, were true. They were, but because Baeuchamp agreed to keep it between them, Albert no longer wished to duel.
So Albert went with Monte Cristo to Normandy, but his stay was cut short as another newspaper printed the same story about his father, only this time also naming him as M. le Comte de Morcerf, so there was no longer any doubt. Poor Albert’s in a wretched state.
Probably a long time ago…
True that. 😀 It’s all right, I’m a pretty slow reader and don’t plan on pressuring anyone else to read faster than they do. ;P
*rubs hands gleefully* This is gettin’ gooood. POOR ALBERT, I KNOW.
Isn’t Beauchamp kinda nice? I liked him.
ALBERT’S GOING TO DUEL WITH MONTE CRISTO!!!! And Monte Cristo determines he will kill him!!! *insert giant NOOOOOOOO!!!! from Star Wars*
I don’t want Albert to die… :'(
Yes, Beauchamp is like the best friend ever.
*howls* NOW YOU KNOW!!! BUT…you don’t know everything yet. *howls louder* It’s awful and wonderful at the same time. I mean, it IS wonderful, the way your emotions are being tossed and ripped like a ship in a gale, right? XD It’s masterfully done. Masterfully done. But it’s awful because…yeah. We know.
SO. MUCH. CONFLICT! Wasn’t that scene, the challenge scene in the theater, GREAT? I mean, awful, but it WAS great! *weeps* Everything is so wrong. Monte Cristo wasn’t counting on getting attached to the son of his nemesis… Albert’s making this harder for him. But apparently not hard enough. *scowl* I don’t remember, does Monte Cristo feel sad about determining to kill Albert? Does he decide to do it only because he ‘must’, or does he really want to? I think I remember him being reluctant. Somewhat.
KEEP READING.
Oh man, it’s crazy! I don’t feel a lot of emotions while reading except enjoyment, but when I think about it throughout the day, I get a short thrill. It’s definitely one of the best works of fiction I’ve ever read.
Yes, it was! Albert, so enraged, facing the count, so calm and collected. I liked this line,
“But Monte Cristo, without rising, and leaning forward in his chair, merely extended his hand, and, taking the damp, crushed glove from the clenched hand of the young man,-
“Sir,” said he, in a solemn tone, “I consider your glove thrown, and I will return it you round a bullet.”
That is like the best way to say, “Challenge accept!”
Yeah, I guess he wasn’t counting on that. I don’t know yet if he’s sad about it – Albert’s shown a whole lot more emotion than Monte Cristo at this point. The next chapter I have to read is called “Mercedes.” So we shall see what that’s about.
I WILL!
YES!!! It’s great. *muffled groaning*
Yeah, Albert’s a bit more impulsive than Monte Cristo. Edmond’s undoubtedly impulsive, but he goes about it calmly and coolly (now, at least). Albert has little impulse control. Poor, dear young man. It’s his fault he has little impulse control (and quite probably also his parents’… That’s what happens when you sort of spoil your child. Tsk tsk.), but all the bad things coming across him aren’t his fault. :'(
XD
Yeah. 🙁 I wouldn’t consider Albert spoilt like a brat, but being the only child of wealthy parents will probably spoil him a bit. Monte Cristo did show some anger to Morrel when he was questioning him about what was going on.
“Ah, count,” said he, “his father loves him so much!”
“Do not speak to me of that,” said Monte Cristo, with the first movement of anger he had betrayed; “I will make him suffer.” That anger, I believe, is part of his sadness for having to kill Albert to get his revenge. He wants to make M. de Morcerf suffer, but probably does not wish it at the expense of Albert’s life (although in his mind, he probably sees there is no other way and that it has to be done to fulfil his end).
This line also made me want to shudder:
“As certainly, Maximilian, as I now press your hand, I will kill him before ten o’clock to-morrow morning.”
:'( Poor Albert…
You wouldn’t happen to know if any of the 40-something movie adaptations of The Count of Monte Cristo are any good, would you? I’d love to see a movie version of it when I’m finished, but I think it would really irk me to no end if it’s totally convoluted and gives everyone else who hasn’t read it the wrong idea.
My friend said her family just watched the 2002 version, but watching a couple of trailers I’m thinking, nope…
Albert and Monte Cristo didn’t end up duelling, because Mercedes came and begged Edmond (Yes, she call him Edmond :D) to spare Albert’s life. Then Albert apologised to Monte Cristo, so neither of them had to die. Albert understood why Monte Crsito had to avenge himself like that, but M. le Comte de Morcerf still shamed himself with what he did. It’s just getting so sad (or sadder). Albert’s leaving France, Mercedes seems to have left her husband. And the next chapter is titled “The Suicide.” D:
So much sad. :'(
M. de Morcerf, as Monte Cristo said, “just blew his brains out.” after a confrontation where he learned who Monte Cristo really was “Edmond Dantes!” I don’t know if Albert and Mercedes know yet, because he did it right as they left.
Valentine was poisoned, but she’s all right for now. Take that M. D’Avrginy. I told you she didn’t do it. *Glares at Madame de. Villefort*
Oh, Maximilian also had an interesting scene with Monte Cristo, and he seems unsure what to make of him at the moment.
It just feels like everything’s taken a dark turn very suddenly, and it’s gloomy everywhere. But don’t worry, I fully intend to keep reading. 😉
Eh yes, very much gloominess. :”( Dark is surely the word. Poor Fernand! I don’t sympathize with him really at all or say he ‘s in any right, but I still…pity him!
Monte Cristo…you’re just…you’re wreaking so much havoc! You’re not helping yourself feel any better, you know. Even if you think you are. You’re not, deep down.
Also, I just realized I forgot to tag you when I posted a new comment at the bottom of the page earlier today—I was replying to stuff in this string but did it down there since this string’s getting so long. But I forgot to tag you, which I have to do with a comment that’s not a reply, so, check down at the bottom of the page. 😛
Aha! I’d wondered where you’d gone. XD
It’s sad he had to kill himself, but they all seem to believe that it’s better for Albert and Mercedes for him to be dead than to live in disgrace. As Monte Cristo said, “Blood washes out shame.” :'(
I know!! D:
I hadn’t deserted you. XD
Yeah. :”(
@PerfectFifths Yeah, I don’t see anything wrong with trying something out to make your own judgement. As long as you know it’s not EVIL or irreparably damaging or something, which Harry Potter most likely is not. XD None of my family has read or watched any of them, but we know a fair bit about them. The main reason we don’t want to do it is because of the magic stuff. NOT that we’re against magic/fantasy stories and stuff, because we’re so not. Lord of the Rings, Narnia, Star Wars geek-out people all the way here. 😛 It’s just that with Harry Potter, it’s different in that the good guys use black magic or something of the kind. It’s more grey, less black-and-white morally. The good guys use some of the same bad methods as the bad guys, and it’s not portrayed as wrong. That’s the main point. We’d be fine if it was the bad guys using bad magic, because hey, THEY’RE BAD. And we’re not against good guys having magic of any kind, but when it’s witch-craft/black, tainted stuff, etc., and not portrayed as wrong, it’s not the same. SO, yeah. I haven’t read them so I can’t legitimately say they’re totally awful and stuff. But just…that’s how we think so we’ve never (and most likely won’t) done HP. Plus, I hear there’s a lot of kid disrespect/disobedience to elders in there, and the kids usually turn out right. I’m TOTALLY for disobedience in stories, but only if the right message comes out of it. That adults are stupid and constrictive and that kids are always right is not the correct message. XD There have to be consequences.
Anyway. But I know tons of people on KP love Harry Potter, and there are also tons who are on the other side. I’m not going to worry about it too much, because I know they’re Christians, and PROBABLY have convictions, and are probably going to be careful. And I have a good opinion of you, so I have faith you’ll do what your conscience and God tells you. 😀
YES! Exactly.
XD XD XD
I agree with you there. Yes, it is more grey about who uses what magic (I haven’t seen a lot yet, but I’ve only read two books). And yes, the kids often go behind the adults’ backs (there wouldn’t be much of a story if they didn’t) and turn out to be right. A lot of trouble would be saved, however, if they just told them what they knew. The difference, though, I think, is that Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts, seems to always know what’s going on. He gives the kids chances to tell him, and they just choose not to, which is their fault.
Yeah, there seem to be two categories with Christians and Harry Potter, from what I’ve seen (I could be wrong). Thanks, Emma, that means a lot. 🙂
‘A lot of trouble would be saved, however, if they just told them what they knew.’
Oh, the story of every character group ever. XD It’s so frustrating sometimes when you know things would be so much better if the characters just opened up to each other. But then, that would lose a lot of the story conflict, which wouldn’t be good at all. And yes, it’s their own fault. I totally agree. XD But I just love those characters who always seem to know what’s going on, even if people are trying to hide it. Kinda like Gandalf or something.
Well, I’m glad. 🙂 I meant it.
Yes, a lot of conflict comes from not trusting each other. But still, wouldn’t these kids (Harry, Ron and Hermione, I mean), haven’t learnt by now? XD
Yes, Gandalf too. Even if he doesn’t know what’s going on, he’s a great character to support the other, less confident characters (like hobbits <3).
🙂
You’d think. XD
Yup.
Starting once again at the bottom because the other string is running out of reply buttons… 😛
Gah. Yes. *is tearful* That’s what I was waiting for. Hopefully it wasn’t too anticlimactic. 😛 But I found the scene (and several of the ones in the same sequence) one of the MOST AWESOME in the entire book and just felt like yelling and squeezing things. Mostly because of how amazing Albert was. It’s been two or three years since I read the book, so my memory might have amplified it some. But I was SO. PROUD. of Albert. Because…because, do you realize how perfectly he is Edmond’s foil character in this regard?! It’s so great! Albert had just as much reason (all right, maybe not just as much. But still reason.) to get revenge on Monte Cristo, for doing that to his father and stuff, as Ed had for revenge in the beginning. And yet he realized the fruitlessness, and was the bigger man, and ultimately, has completely sky-rocketed above Monte Cristo in wisdom levels now. They just foil each other so PERFECTLY.
Yeah, it’s awful. :'( (She called him EDMOND. *wrings hands* I felt like she’d known for an extremely long time now. It was good to see it finally come out.)
Ha! Way to give the story away, chapter name. XD Oh well.
Nah, I definitely don’t consider Albert a spoiled brat. It’d be pretty bad if he was. 😛
Ahh, yes yes. Okay. Good. That works, though I seem to remember that originally he was going to get his revenge on Fernand just with the blackening of his name and stuff, which he was originally working on with the newspapers and all…but then Albert got involved, and with him new problems. :/ And now YAY, he has MORE to make Fernand suffer! *stews* Or thought he did.
*nods sadly* Yes, poor Albert. Poor Albert still, even though he doesn’t have to anticipate death at the hands of his friend any longer. And now…now things can’t be the SAME between them anymore! *weeps*
And yes, I’m enjoying your misery, in case you couldn’t tell. XD
Unfortunately, I don’t… I KNOW how incredibly irksome it is when movie-makers botch books, especially classics. I’ve watched some really good classic adaptations, but no Count of Monte Cristo. We have the 2002 version, and I haven’t seen it but it doesn’t sound very accurate at all. Being the cynical dear that I am, I’d hazard a guess there are no good versions, even among 40… *headdesk* Based on my experience searching for an accurate Les Mis movie, that’s what I’d say. It’s so demoralizing. Maybe movie-makers just don’t have the patience to make movies of books that are so long and complicated, and do it correctly. BUT, I know hardly anything about the wealth of Monte Cristo movies, and would be happy if my cynicism proved unfounded. It probably wouldn’t hurt to just look up a synopsis or something for several of the better-looking ones, and see how accurate they sound. Even if a movie’s accurate to the book doesn’t guarantee its acting or put-together quality, though. Sadly. :'( Which I’m sure you know. Anyway. You’d probably at least get an idea of which ones NOT to watch by some research. 😛 I love researching different movies for their accuracy. ESPECIALLY if I turn up with a good one. It sounds like you enjoy researching that kinda stuff too, and watching the trailers is something I hadn’t really thought of but sounds useful. Though probably not all of them would have available trailers.
Yes, yes, yes! Ever since Albert challenged Beauchamp (who is also an amazing person to Albert) to a duel, things just start getting better and better (story-wise – really things are getting worse and worse). And yes, Albert was extremely brave to apologise to the count and admit he was wrong, even though his family is still in disgrace. And Monte Cristo acknowledged that he was brave, even when Albert’s own father said he was a coward.
Yes, she said she knew the moment she heard his voice.
Oh well, at least they didn’t say whose suicide it was. I was a bit worried “Not Albert, I hope! Not Mercedes!” I honestly didn’t expect it to be Morcerf, but it makes a lot of sense. He’s literally just lost everything important to him, and it was his own fault (this is the kind of plot twist I like – not expecting it, but making a lot of sense in hindsight).
I don’t know exactly how Monte Cristo intended to get revenge on Fernand, but I guess he didn’t expect the duel. But from the sounds of it, in the end, he wants them all dead (Danglars, Vellefort, and Morcerf and Caderouse, who already are).
No it can’t. 🙁 Albert himself (I think it was) said they can’t be friends, though they are not enemies.
XD
Oh, incredibly so. *thinks of the Hobbit* From the sounds of the 2002 version and what I saw in the trailers, they already seem to know Monte Cristo is Edmond (they called him that a lot, but it could be near the end where the secret is out) and there’s a lot more duelling. It looks like Abbe Faria actually teaches Edmond to duel. That did not happen, though I can understand it’d be more exciting to watch than years of learning languages, history, science and mathematics. 😛 I’ve actually never thought of researching for different movies, tbh. I just watch what is available and the pick it apart by how it went wrong. *thinks of the Hobbit*
However, based on what I saw of the characters, they look like they portray them well.
“Maybe movie-makers just don’t have the patience to make movies of books that are so long and complicated, and do it correctly.” Maybe, but they do have the patience to take a short, simple movie and make it more complicated and still not do it properly. *thinks of the Hobbit* Perhaps Daeus would know if any of them are any good.
And even if they don’t have every event and every character, if they take the essence of the story, and tell is in a more condensed form, I would be satisfied. That is why I so enjoyed the Harry Potter movies I’ve seen, especially the first one. It’s just a condensed version of the book, and very faithful, even if it does leave out some pretty key elements. The story still gets told correctly.
Yes, watching trailers can give you a pretty good idea of what the story is going to be. Unless it’s the new Star Wars. Then you have no idea at all. XD
Danglars and Eugenie just had a heart-to-heart (if you can call it that for those two – how about a head-to-head?) talk about why Eugenie didn’t want to marry Andrea (I don’t blame you, girl, but that was before they knew the truth anyway XD), and why Danglars says she should (didn’t quite understand it all, but it sounds like Danglars is in trouble as a banker, and if it looks like he’s being trusted with millions, and because he wants to invest in railroads, then he’ll be okay).
On the day of signing the marriage contract, they were interrupted by the police looking Andrea, who had vanished. When all this was going on, and the guests left, Eugenie and Louise set into motion their plan of running away – Eugenie disguising herself as a man, and taking Louise and going away to Belgium. The last line of that chapter was, “Danglars just lost his daughter.” Sad, but I can’t say I pity him much. I don’t like him, and I didn’t much like Eugenie. I’m like, “Let’s get back to the stuff about Albert!” XD
YES, it’s so great that Monte Cristo acknowledges, really and truly, how brave Albert was. And I quite agree, Beauchamp is just an amazing person.
Oh right, I remember now. Whew, Mercedes is good at holding things in.
Yes! Exactly. Those kind of plot-twists are the best.
Yeah, I think he does.
Right! SO. SAD.
But I LIKE The Hobbit. XD Oh, I admit it’s botched all right, though certainly not in every aspect. I think after the initial disgust at how much they changed, I was somehow able to accept it as a movie and not fume too much over its differences from the book. Probably because so much of the movie is still amazing in acting quality and character portrayal/relationships, even if not all of them are quite accurate to the book. (And no, I’m not thinking of Kili and Tauriel. I really do wish they hadn’t done that. 😛 ) But still. Point taken. XD
(And yes, Azog=no. Too cheesy. Far too cheesy.)
Yeah…I still get mad at condensed movies (especially if they cut any characters I like), but that IS better than completely re-doing the whole thing. *shudder*
And I know, you’d think Daeus would have a hold on any information whatsoever having to do with The Count of Monte Cristo; but I don’t think he’d know if any of the movies were good or not. I know he’s not a huge movie-watcher in general (unless it’s Star Wars, and then, well…Kylo Ren. ;P), so he might not know. I don’t know it for a fact that he wouldn’t though, so it’d might be beneficial to ask at least in case. XD I hope there is one. Somewhere.
“Yes, watching trailers can give you a pretty good idea of what the story is going to be. Unless it’s the new Star Wars. Then you have no idea at all. ”
HA! That’s rather true. XD
Eh yes…interesting stuff, that Danglars business. But no, not as interesting as Albert stuff, ever. And the part about a head-to-head instead of a heart-to-heart is perfect. XD
Well, Monte Cristo doesn’t seem the type of person to blame the son for what the father did, even if the son may get mixed up in it all in order to meet his end.
Yes.
And yes.
Eeek! Well, two down…
“I think after the initial disgust at how much they changed, I was somehow able to accept it as a movie and not fume too much over its differences from the book.”
I still fume when comparing to the book, but I agree it is a brilliantly-made movie, for generic dark fantasy. 😉
Yeah, no, Tauriel, I don’t even acknowledge her existence, because there is none. ;P I don’t mind Legolas in it so much, because he was Thranduil’s son, so as far as we know, he could have been there. But only as a background character, not part of some non-canonical love triangle. *wrinkles nose*
What was cheesy about Azgog? Or just the fact that he was still alive? Because that fact immediately no longer makes it a kids’ book/movie.
Somewhere, out there, you’d think at least ONE for the 40+ movies would be good. 😉
XD
I read some stuff about Eugenie and Louise (but I had already formed the opinion that I’m not fond of them, so that didn’t effect that), so I kind of hope they’re gone for good now. 😛
I wonder why there’s always one certain character that you care about the most (or the only one you care about) like Albert? I mean, they’re all great characters (great as in well-written), but Albert, I just can’t help but love him.
Yes, I thought head-to-head because they’re both intelligently-minded and not prone to showing/having emotion. I find Eugenie’s character interesting due to her desire to be an artist and her musical passion, which is something we share, but that, plus dark hair is where the similarities end. 😉 XD
Noooooo! I’m nearly 90% of the way through! :'( (My friend can’t believe I want more of this, but she’s never read it, so…)
Anyways, Andrea Cavalcanti, aka Bendetto, has been caught. I’m not entirely sure if Danglars and his wife know about Eugenie’s disappearance, because we haevn’t seen the consequences of that yet.
Monte Cristo has come to Valentine to say he’s watching over her (creepy, but also sweet) and to show her who the assassin it (*ahem* Madame Villefort, as I predicted). I believe that’s all the major stuff I read in my three chapters last night.
No, he doesn’t.
I don’t mind Tauriel herself too much; she’s not annoying by herself, as a character, to me… But yeah. I know. ;P And I was kinda glad to hear Legolas would be in it, before I watched it, because oooh, that’d be cool! But he turned out less than spectacular. Much better in LotR.
Aghh. Azog’s just…cheesy. Aside from the fact that he’s still alive, which is annoying, he’s just…flat. And typical. And a gross blood-lusting orc. That doesn’t make for a very compelling villain to me. 😛 Smaug, on the other hand…Smaug was epic. I mean, he’s sort of typical as well (DRAGON), but he’s not flat, which makes all the difference.
Yeah.
I know! I’m not sure, but regardless, it makes me happy Albert’s your favorite. He’s still close with Monte Cristo for me, but he’s probably my favorite.
Right, I know what you meant. They’re both MBTI Thinkers, not Feelers. 😉 Heh, yeah. XD
Ahhh! The end approacheth. O.o
Maybe you can get your friend to read it after this! After seeing all your misery though, she might not be too keen on the idea. 😛 You’ll have to convince her.
Eh. Lovely stuff.
And yes. I think Edmond specializes in the creepy-but-sweet department. Mostly the creepy though. Yes, Mme. Villefort indeed! Congratulations. XD More horrors are yet to come. *sage nod*
I Tauriel was an attempt to get an “obligatory female character” into the movie, but bth, I don’t care if most of the cast of LOTR and The Hobbit are male (there are only three major females, and not many more who have been given names that I can think of).
Yeah, I guess Azog was flat. That’s what comes of putting in a character that wasn’t meant to be there. 😛
Yes, Smaug was amazing. And Benedict Cumberbatch was perfect for his voice. I think their casting was spot-on, they just could have done the story better.
From what I gather, Danglars isn’t acknowledging that Eugenie just up and left. He’s told two people about her leaving, and both times it’s implied it was with his knowledge and consent.
Yeah, Monte Cristo… I’m not sure where he stands, though he is one of my favourites. But yeah, Albert is the top.
I doubt it. 😛 I haven’t told her much about the suffering, only how much I love it (I admitted to her and another friend it’s my new favourite book). I must say, no book recommendation she’s given me has fallen flat, so obviously we have fairly similar tastes. I think she would enjoy it (maybe not as much, but some).
Oh my word! I can’t even tell anymore if Valentine is dead or not! I mean, she looks dead, and I was like, “Monte Cristo has given her something to mimic death and fool everyone.” But now they’re about to have her funeral, a few days later, and now I’m not so sure. Except it was the Abbe Busoni who prayed over her corpse, so perhaps there is hope after all!
Now, though, I just remembered… Monte Cristo said to her, “Whatever may happen, Valentine, do not be alarmed; … even though you should find yourself in a sepulchral vault or coffin. Reassure yourself, then, and reflect: ‘At this moment a friend… watches over me.” Well, that looks like what’s about to happen. So, like Valentine, I shall not be alarmed. 🙂
Edmond Dantes would be a powerful ally, and a terrifying enemy. However, he holds no prejudice against those who have not wronged him, even if they are related or in close association with those who have.
***first sentence*** “I think Tauriel…”
Oh yeah, I totally agree about Tauriel’s role. That’s exactly what I’ve thought too, and I’m with ya on not caring a bit if almost the whole cast is male. I really don’t care (frankly, a lot of the time I find male characters way more compelling), and females should not be obligatory. 😛
Poooor Danglars.
Well, yay for your friend! I think nothing beats actually reading the book—reading is a different experience than listening, esp. ’cause you get to pause and reflect—, but I have mostly zero experience with audio-books (more audio dramas), so maybe it’ll still be as great. I hope. 😀
HAHAHAHAHA! *continues maniacal laughter* Yeaaaah. Valentine. Since you’ve probably already been enlightened by now, I can say you’re definitely on the right track. XD
Yeah.
Isn’t it absolutely awful about the rest of the Villeforts?
In that sort of society, meeting mostly men is a little more realistic. Women seem to be more of the stay-at-home type in Middle-earth cultures. Of course there will be women out doing things, like Eowyn, but she wasn’t even supposed to go.
Poooor Danglars, even though I don’t like him very much.
Yeah, I agree. But I also understand her side. She says she find classics harder to read (which they are), so she prefers them in audio book.
I don’t have much experience with audio book either (like you, more audio-dramas – speaking of which, have you listened to Screwtape Letters with Andry Serkis? 😀 ).
Welp, I’m still pretty convinced Valentine is going to end up all right, but I haven’t read for sure, so thanks for the confirmation. 😉
Basically, don’t get on Edmond’s bad side.
Yes! Villefort just confronted his wife about murdering their family, and he asked her where she keeps her poisons. He said If he doesn’t find her dead when he returns, he will arrest her, but is giving her the chance to go more honourably (as if suicide is honourable).
Also, everything about Bendetto has been revealed – Villefort knows he’s his son, and he knows Villefort is his father (and so does pretty much the rest of Paris). But Bendetto doesn’t know who his mother is… yet? 😉
Yup. ‘Tis truth.
That does make sense. And NO! The Screwtape Letters by Andy Serkis?! Of all the insane ironies. 😂 That’s great. I have read it though.
Oops… 😛
Exactly.
Right, I know. As if suicide is honorable.
*scrubs eyes* Such awfulness.
Not BY Andry Serkis, WITH Andy Serkis. He voices Screwtape. It’s an audio drama which was amazing! I haven’t read the book yet, but it’s part of an English course we want to finish this year, so I will.
Wow. I can imagine he’d make an awesome Screwtape. *shudder* I was probably confused because I didn’t think The Screwtape Letters would be made into a drama, since it’s just letters, not actual things happening. Guess they find ways to do everything. ;P
Yeah, they’re amazing! I had never wanted a character to die so much as I did Wormwood’s patient. Because then he would be free of the temptations. And it was sad when he did, but also good (if you know what I mean).
Oh wow, so from the sound of it it sounds like they actually…dramatized the different patients too. Cool. Yes, I know what you mean for sure.
Yeah. There were voices for Screwtape, Wormwood, their patients, and a few other random tempters. A lot of the stuff is Screwtape having a conversation with Woodworm and telling him how to do stuff, with Wormwood asking questions every now and then. I’m guessing they took the letters and turned them into these conversations. Some of them are in letter form “My dear, Wormwood … Your affectionate uncle, Screwtape.” But it’s really good, definitely worth listening to if you can get it.
Cool! I’ll definitely have to remember that.
@emma-flournoy New line…
Maximilian was going to kill himself! :'( But Monte Cristo talked him out of it, saying, if he were not consoled within a month, to the day, to the hour, he would personally give him pistols and poison so he can end his life. Dear, Maximilian, all is not lost – I hope!
Albert and Mercedes are in an unhappy spot. I’m not entirely sure what they’re going to do (I’m just glad we got to see them again). I think Albert is joining the army and going to Africa, and he seemed to imply that Mercedes will be living with Monte Cristo? Anyway, I know Edmond regrets that he caused their unhappiness.
Oki, so unhappy because the story is going to end soon… :'(
Happy because my aforementioned friend said she downloaded the audio book! 😀
Ahh yes. That scene was good. Sort of. Max should not have considered suicide. XD But yes. I like his and Monte Cristo’s relationship.
*sniffs* *whimpers* *weeps* Poor Mercedes and Albert. (Yes, I’m just glad we got to see them again too. SO glad. Albert is not a character to be shoved off to the side. At least. Not totally. *scowl* Nor Mercedes.)
Edmond should regret it all right.
*unhappy blink* Yerp, story’s almost done. I’m interested to hear what you think of how a couple certain things turned out. I was quite annoyed, even though I’m not at all assured it would have worked well the other way either. But it kind of spoiled the ending for me, in a way.
Also, if you finish the book and I don’t reply for two or three days, don’t freak out or forget any of your ending thoughts. XD I’m going to be gone for a couple days, and you’re so near the end you’ll probably finish it like, today. But I won’t be able to reply. So hang on. 😉
The scene was good, because it showed Morrel’s desperateness, and how much Monte Cristo cared about him. 😉
Do we get to see them more?
Someone said, “Alas, how can I restore the happiness I have taken away from these poor innocent creatures? God help me!” And while it didn’t name names, Edmond is pretty much the only one that caused their unhappiness, so I’m pretty sure that was him. 😛 😉
I’ll give you everything I think of it, as best as I can. 😉
All right. I’ve only 5% to go. DX I’m reading roughly 1-2% a night (according to Goodreads), so if not tonight, definitely tomorrow night. And I will impatiently await your return. *sits on a rock and crosses arms and legs*
YES.
:”(
😀
Were you reading a digital copy, and that’s how Goodreads could track it?
No. You find the edition you’re reading, or one with the same number of pages, and every day you put in what page number you’re on and it tells you how much is left.
Cool.
Yeah.
New line, so that it’s not confusing when I got on multiple rants.
Did not finish last night, but almost definitely will tonight (4 chapters, 16 pages – I counted). There is no excuse, and I will not prolong it more than needed (as much as it pains me). Anyway, on to the rant…
These three chapters I read were just full of gloomy, depressing sadness, and it made my heart heavy to read them. Morrel is so sad. Mone Cristo took him to Marseilles for a time, while he himself went to Italy. But that’s not all.
Madame Villefort is dead. She killed herself, and her son. And that is probably the saddest death yet, because, though I wasn’t particularly fond of Edward, he was just a child; a child whose parents had done wrong, and he paid the price for it along with them. Villefort is literally mad with grief. Edmond Dantes has gone too far, and he knows it. He hopes to save Danglars from death.
Albert is on a boat, leaving his mother at the house where old Dantes used to live, at Marseilles. Monte Cristo and Mercedes spoke, and Edmond promised her that her son will be happy (I only hope we can see it before the end of the book).
So Monte Cristo is leaving Maximilian at Merseilles while he goes to Italy, and told him on the 5th of October (the date he promises to assist Morrel in suicide if he is not consoled) he wants to see him on the island of Monte Cristo. So about a month from the current time in the book.
I hope to see everything resolved in some way, but I also don’t want it to end.
Ahhhh! I finished it! *covers hands over eyes* Nooo! It’s too soon! :'(
Okay, okay… *deep breath* Monte Cristo effectively saved Danglars – from death is nothing else. He’d been captured by Luigi Vampa’s gang and almost starved to death, but Danglars repented to Edmond, so he forgave him.
I was almost – almost! – crying during the chapter The 5th of October for Maximilian. He was still so sad, and while I still had faith that Valentine would emerge alive and well, it was beginning to doubt because of how it had been.
And then Morrel ate the spoonful of the stuff that Edmond gave him, and I almost lost all hope. But I also had a feeling it was that the count’s special hatchis substance that he gave Franz when he visited the island. He knew Maximilian would regret taking his life.
Over all, I loved it! A lot of things felt unresolved. Like pretty much every thing that Edmond was trying to do, but that’s probably because it’s wrong. However, he had a change of heart, and he did save and forgive one of his enemies.
Everything about Albert and Mercedes feels a bit unresolved too. But that’s probably because Albert’s my favourite and he left all too soon. 🙁
Anyway, I rated 5/5 on Goodreads. 😉
Now, you mentioned you were annoyed by something. What was that? I can let you know what I thought, too.
AAAACK I FEEL YOU. :’o
Yeah, the last several chapters were pretty boggy and not cheer-inducing. And Edward. I know. It’s so sad.
Yes, the Danglars conclusion was pretty good, for Edmond’s part at least; showing how much he’d learned, albeit too late for most everyone else.
Yeah…yeah. Yeah ;P But then, you got to be very happy for him by the end. Which was nice. Dear ol’ Maximilian.
Well, about everything Edmond was trying to do, that’s supposed to feel unresolved, I think; it was undoubtedly supposed to go wrong, since it WAS wrong, and it had to be portrayed that way. So he realized how awful and fruitless and horrible for everyone including himself everything he’s done is, and was sorry and realized he shouldn’t have done it. But one of the things that annoyed me is that, while he did realized his error, he didn’t seem as repentant as he should have been, I thought. He realized, and stopped, but he didn’t really try to fix what’s been done, or do anything he could to make it better; he sort of re-started his life, but had no retribution—other than his sorrow—to pay for his deeds. I dunno. It’s not like I wish something horrible had happened to him himself or anything, but I do wish he’d had more consequences to pay, and…stuff along those lines. And it also would have helped it feel more resolved. D’ye see why I feel that way? I probably need to read it again, but that’s how I remember it.
The main other thing that annoyed me was Albert and Mercedes. It did feel too unresolved, but there is one bright spot I remember—Monte Cristo said something to Mercedes about, while Albert’s out in the wide world starting his new life and stuff, he—Edmond—will be watching over him from afar, and making sure he’s safe. And it just made me feel FUZZY. It was so fatherly, and big-brotherly, and sweet. Edmond ain’t gonna forget him, which makes me happy. BUT it was still sort of unresolved. But ALSO, and most annoyingly—Edmond and Mercedes. And HAYDEE! *wail* Look, I have nothing against Haydee. And I understand why Edmond and Mercedes couldn’t really get back together after all that. And I’d probably even have been satisfied if Edmond had sailed off into the blue without Mercedes, but each of them with their memory. To do their new lives separately, but not to forget each other. But he didn’t! He sailed off into the blue with a NEW lover, and that’s just…it’s just bad. It’s BAD, I tell you! *fumes* Haydee’s fine, and his fatherly relationship with her wasn’t bad, but…I don’t like this. Because after all, everything that was done BECAUSE OF MERCEDES IN THE LONG RUN, and all that happened, and now…he goes with someone else. It’s sad, and bad, and I don’t like it. Tell me what you think. XD
The last paragraph was pretty nice though. Monte Cristo’s long thing leading up to ‘wait and hope’. Or something like that.
D:
Poooor Edward!
Yeah. I liked Maximilian, he’d definitely be a second to Albert and young Edmond, but Albert for some reason had a special place in my heart.
I see what you mean, but I think he was also starting to realise he wasn’t God’s agent for exacting His vengeance, and that really, he should be doing anything at all. And perhaps, he made it so bad, he knew he couldn’t make it better, so it was fruitless to try. I dunno. He seemed pretty sorrowful to me, but you’re right, he did just kind of get a restart.
Yeah, Albert and Mercedes. Monte Cristo promised Mercedes that her son would be happy (I also got a warm-and-fuzzies). I wish we could have seen how Edmond watched over Albert, but even so, he seems a man to keep his word (I mean, he vowed for revenge for 23 years) so we can have confidence he did (saying this as if they were real and as we speak Edmond is watching over Albert XD).
Yes, Haydee… I actually didn’t mind it so much, though I think Edmond thinking of her as a daughter is better than as a lover. He thought he would never love again, so I feel it’s just another step towards him letting go of the bad things of the past (not Mercedes, obviously) and moving on. Though I did prefer him with Mercedes.
Yeah. I suppose that’s a message to all of them – Maximilan & Valentine, Albert, Mercedes, even Danglars, and Edmond himself.
Yeah…I dunno for sure. But at least he did realize.
“(saying this as if they were real and as we speak Edmond is watching over Albert XD).”
But of course! XD Seriously though, that’s how I always talk/think about characters and books I get really attached to. They’re so REAL, and I just talk about them that way. And I’m almost always imagining their future, and what happens after the close of the book and in the years after. I’m infinitely glad God gave humans imaginations. XD Yep, I definitely think Edmond would hold true to that.
*sniff* Yeah. That does make sense.
Truth. *sage nod*
Well, I’m glad you enjoyed it.
Yeah.
XD
Yeah, I know what you mean. I almost didn’t want to start my next book the next night because I was sad there was no more Monte Cristo (but I did, because I loved reading 😛 ). I would love to know what happens in the characters’ lives afterwards. Franz seemed to disappear near the end, and Danglars, I wonder what he is doing now.
There are some “sequels” written by other people, but since they’re not written by Dumas, I won’t bother trying to find them to read, because I doubt it would be as good, and it wouldn’t be “canon.”
I did, a lot! 😀 Oh, and last night I was looking through our shelves, and I noticed the name Alexandre Dumas on a book. It was The Three Musketeers! 😀 I’ve wanted to read that, and I’m really glad it’s written by the same guy, because I believe that means I’ll enjoy it.
Heh, good plan. I don’t like the idea of sequels by people other than the original author. It’s just not RIGHT. 😛
Ooh… I’ve only read/skimmed an abridged/illustrated version of that, not the real thing, but I’ve heard it’s nothing to go nuts over at all. Hate to burst the bubble, but that’s what I’ve heard. XD From Daeus, no less, among various other reports I can’t remember. *aggrieved sigh* I don’t know why everything from the same author can’t be consistently awesome, but apparently it’s not. But hey, I haven’t read the real thing, so I can’t say with certainty you wouldn’t enjoy it anyway… 😛
I think he had the same sort of report on The Hunchback of Notre Dame, too, which is by Victor Hugo. Who wrote my FAVORITE book. *sigh* It’s sad. XD
There is one exception that I know of, and that is the newest (as far as I’m aware) Asterix comic. One of the original authors is dead (sad 🙁 ), and the other supervised two new people in the writing and illustrating of it. I’ve read it, and I think it keeps the tone and feel of Asterix, if a little different, because different people means different drawing and writing style.
Ah… Well, I shall read it anyway and see how it goes. I’ll let you know.
And I still plan on reading Les Mis! I just have another book I want to read first from a series I really like. And that’s after HP that I’m reading now. 😉 But it will be next in line!
@PerfectFifths Huh. I haven’t read (or heard of till now) that, but hey, at least it’s keeping relatively similar. That’s always quite heartening. ;P
And I’ll wait to hear. 😀 I know a lot of the story line, just haven’t read the actual book.
Heh, take your time. I don’t mind if you decide to read other books first. XD They’ll definitely be done more quickly than Les Mis. 😛 But I shall indeed look forward to when you read it.
You haven’t read Asterix? :O They’re one of the best comics series ever. 😉 That and Tintin. 😛
I don’t even know the story line much at all, so I’m looking forward to a new story. 😀
😀 I’ll start a new post when I begin.
I actually haven’t read any comic series. 😛 Except for a little bit of Calvin and Hobbs and even littler bit of Peanuts, but I don’t think that’s exactly the same thing. XD
A good plan. This is getting a leeeetle long. XD
Ah, I like Calvin and Hobbes. 😀
Yes, just a leeeeetle. XD
;D