Fiction Book Club - Villette 9pm March 9th

[Unrulysun]

Can we think of some questions to start us off too?

At the moment (p40) I'm interested in why Lucy tells us so little about herself and in that awful relationship between the child and the boy :(

...and none of the other characters agree on her either - she points out that some think she's good and meek, others think she's wicked and passionate.

Hmmmmmmm. Not sure that we're not saying that because we can turn our feminist lens on it that therefore it's feminist iyswim?

I suppose I just found Lucy too quick to judge other women and too willing to submit to Paul to be a feminist heroine. And I didn't get a sense that that was the point being made either - ie that she was like that to make the point.

Sorry to have bailed in a hurry earlier. It wasn't a good day for a long session. It was shaping up to be very interesting--now I'll go and read all the messages! I don't think the Bloody Chamber is my kind of story, but maybe after that.

Thanks very much for recommending Villette-that was UnrulySun I believe? An excellent read.

I can't remember who suggested Villette - it had several votes though. It was an interesting read :)

I think this was a good first go at a book club. Any suggestions?

Next is The Bloody Chamber and after that Northanger Abbey I believe. April 13th for THe Bloody Chamber?

Ooooh well done SaF!

She said that about being judged as a woman not an artist because someone did the same to her, Bronte(might have been Thackeray?) and she was furious. I have a feeling it was Thackeray reviewing something, perhaps Shirley.

I agree with that - it never works out for Lucy as it does for Jane, really, does it!

I'm just still talking about Villette until it totally goes, because I loathe Angela Carter!

(it was me that suggested villette)

Thanks for all - this is my first book club experience - it used to be my favourite novel when I was in my 20s and tbh I struggled a bit with it the second time round - mainly the passivity of lucy - but your opinions and passion have really brought back it into focus for me.