Richard, having nowhere to go, is accompanying Door, her guard Hunter, through the underworld of London. Door finds the angel, Islington, who instructs her to get a key from the Black Friars. While those three are on the quest for the key, the Marquis is on a quest of his own; a quest for information that leads him into trouble.
So, let’s get started with the group read questions!
1. Chapter 6 begins with Richard chanting the mantra, "I want to go home". How do you feel about Richard and his reactions at this point to the unexpected adventure he finds himself on?
It is expected from someone who led such a quiet, stable life. He still has a lot of growing up to do but I suppose he’s getting there and he’s not as whiny as he was after completing the last test of the Black Friars. But I just haven’t been able to quite connect with him just yet.
2. The Marquis de Carabas was even more mysterious and cagey during the first part of this week's reading. What were your reactions to him/thoughts about him as you followed his activities?
I didn’t trust him at all, especially when I found him meeting up with Croup and Vandemar. I was thinking, “Don’t you dare turn against Door!” Then it turns out he was there to get information from them for Door! I like him a lot now.
3. How did you feel about the Ordeal of the Key?
I think it was fairly obvious Richard would get through the last test. I read through it not taking much of it in. Like I said, I haven’t really connected with him yet so I just wanted to get through his part of the test as quickly as possible.
And this whole thing felt so much like The Matrix and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, test/revelations occurring on a train platform. The bad thing is that those events happened after this book was published! But those are movies and each have had a bigger impact with me so I know them so well that when I get to this part in the book I’m a snob and sigh and roll my eyes thinking to myself that I’ve been there done that all before. I know, I know, I really shouldn’t be like that.
4. This section of the book is filled with moments. Small, sometimes quite significant, moments that pass within a few pages but stick with you. What are one or two of these that you haven't discussed yet that stood out to you, or that you particularly enjoyed.
I liked the moment when Old Bailey realized the Marquis was in trouble. I hope they get to him in time!
5. Any other things/ideas that you want to talk about from this section of the book?
Ok, I am kind of curious about the key and what it’s for and what the Black Friars are going to do now without the key because they seemed pretty distraught, in a subdued, friar-ish way, about losing it. I also found Serpentine interesting and I’d like to hear more about the Seven Sisters.
Well, so far I’m on Team Hunter and Marquis de Carabas. They got some moments where we got to know them better and that was nice. Door is just there. I hope she finds out what happened to her family but she has no personality to me. Richard is the same for me. He’s just there and I’m waiting to see that spark from him that shows he’s a stronger person. I guess him getting through the Ordeal of the Key was it, but it didn’t feel like enough for me. I also found I liked Croup and Vandemar more in these chapters. I laughed when Croup got upset that they were not allowed to do what they’re good at and ran through a list of their greatest hits. I like how they completely ignored their agreement with the Marquis. I hope he’ll be alright in the end but I kind of love that they just don’t care.
Overall, I had a much more enjoyable time with these chapters then the first five, so onward to the end! And I want to thank everyone who commented on part 1. It wasn't all that cheerful and I really appreciated the encouragement and insight.
I hope the Marquis is okay (even though people who get crucified generally aren't).
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping there's some London Under Magic that will help him.
DeleteThe Marquis does kick it up a notch in this section and becomes an even more interesting character. As do Croup and Vandemar. They are creepy in the first part of the book. They are downright psychotically deranged in this part. And yet they continue to be very entertaining villains.
ReplyDeleteGaiman said long ago that if he ever wrote another novel in this universe that it would be about the Seven Sisters. But it has been so long now that I don't think he has any interesting in returning to this work. I think it would feel to him like he was stepping backwards. Still, I hold out hope.
Oh, I would really love if he did write something about the Seven Sisters! But I would understand if he didn't want to return to this world or has other things he'd like to write.
DeleteI was so relieved when the Marquis de C was meeting with Croup and Vandemar for info. But I still wonder how he knew where to find them? I know he collects a variety of info - like knowing Croup likes T'ang dynasty figurines - but how and why did he stumble upon meeting up with them?
ReplyDeleteHm, I didn't think of it while reading but now I'm curious how the Marquis found Croup and Vandemar too.
DeleteI wonder what the friars will do, too. They've carried such a heavy burden all these years, and it doesn't seem like it's going to get any lighter even though the key is gone.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I hope we do get to find out what will happen with the friars.
DeleteI don't think Croup and Vandemar would be hard to find if you wanted to - it's not like they need to keep where they are a secret, they've survived so long and seem indestructible. But even if the Marquis didn't know already, the rats could have told him, surely?
ReplyDeleteThat's true and those rats can go anywhere and would know where anyone or anything is.
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