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Original poster

The Quincunx (plot spoiler warning!)

21 replies

spacemonkey · 29/03/2004 02:01

I finished it tonight and as a result I can't bloody sleep! Think I may have to read it again straight away ...

The great mystery of it all is what happened on Mary and Peter's wedding night. As I was reading about this part of the story, I couldn't help but wonder when they had had the chance to consummate the marriage. And if Peter Clothier is not John's father, then who is?

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Original poster
spacemonkey · 29/03/2004 02:05

Also, I noticed several times that John's exact age or date of birth is not revealed - surely this is significant?

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Original poster
spacemonkey · 29/03/2004 02:14

Oh and ks - I eventually sussed out why CP picked the name John Huffam ... DOH!

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Original poster
spacemonkey · 29/03/2004 10:11

bump

where are you all?

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ks · 29/03/2004 11:54

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Original poster
spacemonkey · 29/03/2004 11:58

That's why i put "plot spoiler" in the thread title, to put off anyone who hasn't finished it yet

I have NEVER re-read a book immediately after finishing it, but I think I will have to with this one - I feel like a shallow buffoon to have under-read it in such a superficial manner

I read the afterword by the author, and found that really interesting.

Is it something like "it's a wise child that knows his father"? It's vaguely familiar to me.

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prufrock · 29/03/2004 20:33

DO NOT READ IF STILL READING QUINCUNX**

And the other thing to remember is CP's emphasis (I think in the afterword) on the difference between JH's theory and the real truth - which made me think that the last line might not be the case. And the Swedish translation thing - does that actually matter or is it a red herring?

ks · 29/03/2004 21:12

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lazyeye · 30/03/2004 10:01

I can't read below this as only at pg100 or so, but although enjoying it, can I just ask if it sort of becomes clearer, I'm confused (not hard) but am hoping that it just sort of unfolds........or do I need to concentrate harder?

charlieplus3 · 30/03/2004 10:04

I am half way through, hes just escaped from the school and with suxy. Im finding it hard to read, but good. Theres just no one to trust in this book

ks · 30/03/2004 10:42

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Original poster
spacemonkey · 30/03/2004 18:33

Have now gone back to the beginning to re-read it and am enjoying it even more!

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Original poster
spacemonkey · 30/03/2004 18:36

lazyeye - on the first reading I just read it as a straightforward story and waited for events to unfold. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it that way. Now I'm re-reading it in a different way. As long as you're enjoying it, don't worry, just let the story unfold!

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ks · 30/03/2004 18:36

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Original poster
spacemonkey · 31/03/2004 10:40

Now I'm re-reading it, it seems almost as if every sentence is loaded with meaning - or is it my imagination?

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Chinchilla · 02/04/2004 20:50

SPOILER...

I have just finished it. I don't think that the question in the book is 'who was JH's father?' It doesn't really matter, unless I missed something. There does not seem to be any real doubt about his right to be the Huffam heir, other than the question of whether his great-grandparents really married.

I was more confused by the final line about Lydia's lover being killed by his grandfather, when it had already been established that Jeoffrey Escreet had killed him. Can anyone explain that to me?

Ouisie · 06/05/2004 08:19

SPOILER..........

Have just seen this thread - such a great book!!! I'm going to have to read it again because I did really read it pretty superficially. Chinchilla - I was thinking about the last line and wondered if possibly Martin Fortisquince was JH's dad thus possibly meaning JE was JH's g'father????????

ks · 06/05/2004 08:54

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Chinchilla · 06/05/2004 19:46

KS - The paternity is not important IMO, because the actual mystery is who wants to kill the boy and his mother. As the story (and family tree) develops, it becomes more obvious that there are several lines of the family who could claim under the will. JH is always considered to be the heir, and no mention is made of him becoming invalid as a claimant by any of the characters.

ks · 06/05/2004 20:24

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prufrock · 07/05/2004 15:43

Noks I agree with you- I was completely happy with the book until I got to the last line.
I did take it to hospital with me, but never got round to starting it again, but I must do so very soon.

lazyeye · 18/05/2004 08:35

Still can't read this thread as haven't quite finished - am on about pg 1000 so not long to go.

But bleendin' Nora........I'm so confused. I'm still letting it all wash over me a bit in the hope that all becomes clear. I'm sort of up to Aunt Lydia explaining everything, but shes not doing a good job for me...its so twisty and turny. Am really enjoying it, but again, do I need to concentrate more, or does it it naturally become clearer??

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