The Lantern Read-a-Long - Part 3

The Lantern by Deborah Lawrenson

A modern gothic novel of love, secrets, and murder—set against the lush backdrop of Provence

Meeting Dom was the most incredible thing that had ever happened to me. When Eve falls for the secretive, charming Dom in Switzerland, their whirlwind relationship leads them to Les GenÉvriers, an abandoned house set among the fragrant lavender fields of the South of France. Each enchanting day delivers happy discoveries: hidden chambers, secret vaults, a beautiful wrought-iron lantern. Deeply in love and surrounded by music, books, and the heady summer scents of the French countryside, Eve has never felt more alive.

But with autumn’s arrival the days begin to cool, and so, too, does Dom. Though Eve knows he bears the emotional scars of a failed marriage—one he refuses to talk about—his silence arouses suspicion and uncertainty. The more reticent Dom is to explain, the more Eve becomes obsessed with finding answers—and with unraveling the mystery of his absent, beautiful ex-wife, Rachel.

Like its owner, Les GenÉvriers is also changing. Bright, warm rooms have turned cold and uninviting; shadows now fall unexpectedly; and Eve senses a presence moving through the garden. Is it a ghost from the past or a manifestation of her current troubles with Dom? Can she trust Dom, or could her life be in danger?

Eve does not know that Les GenÉvriers has been haunted before. BÉnÉdicte Lincel, the house’s former owner, thrived as a young girl within the rich elements of the landscape: the violets hidden in the woodland, the warm wind through the almond trees. She knew the bitter taste of heartbreak and tragedy—long-buried family secrets and evil deeds that, once unearthed, will hold shocking and unexpected consequences for Eve.

I am over a week late, but I wanted to catch-up on this book today. First of all, I have to say that I enjoyed this book. It might not have been the best Gothic novel I have ever read, but the author did a wonderful job. In retrospect, I think I would have appreciated it more if I sat down with it and read it straight through. The need to start and stop distracted me when I was really getting into the story. I still enjoyed it, though, and had lots of fun reading the other participants thoughts on the book. Then, Deborah Lawrenson added her two cents once we were finished and it is always fun to hear from an author!

1. Now that it’s all said and done; what did you think of the book? Did you see the ending coming?

Having read Rebecca, I had a rough idea about what was going to happen in the end. I knew Rachel was dead, so it just came down to that being explained. Then there was the relationship between Eve/Dom to bring to a conclusion. They were having some problems and Eve was starting to think about leaving the relationship behind if she didn't receive some answers soon. That being said, I was surprised about exactly how Rachel died. I never thought about her having cancer and deciding to have assisted suicide in Switzerland. Once that is explained, though, it does give a bit more explanation for Dom. That was a very difficult position that he found himself in. I still really didn't like him, but I understand him better.

As to the book itself, it was not perfect, but it was not a bad book either. I found it readable, was interested in how everything played out, etc. I think my disappointment laid in the fact that the book was so influenced by other authors works. It sort of makes it hard for the author because Rebecca and Jane Eyre are such popular and well-read books. I am not sure she is entirely at their calibre, but it is hard to say entirely.

2. What do you think of the characters? Lawrenson took us on a twisty little ride there, I had trouble deciding who was good and who wasn’t for a while there! What do you think of Dom? Of Sabine? Rachel?

Well, as I mention above, I was not a huge fan of Dom. He was untrustworthy, secretive, and a bit of a recluse. We obviously learn why some of this happens, but it is hard to like someone that keeps so many secrets from the woman he supposedly loves. If he was still dealing with his demons he could easily have waited for things to pass before starting a new relationship. It was obvious he wasn't ready at all. I think Lawrenson writes Dom really well, though.

As to Sabine, I have to admit she served a good purpose. I am not sure that Eve would have suspected Dom as much as she did without Sabine in the background. Plus, Sabine leads her to look into Rachel's research and we learn more about the other storyline. There were times where I wasn't entirely sure if she was a 'good' person or bad, but she added to the story.

Then there is Rachel. Eve was not as obsessed with Rachel as Mrs. DeWinter was with Rebecca. It seemed different anyway. She obviously battles with the ghost of Rachel to the point where Rachel is another character in the book even while being deceased. I think Rachel was actually rather interesting. She made things up and was a bit crazy, but the different is what makes characters interesting in books. She also made an interesting contrast to Eve's character.

3. Pierre was such a conflicted character. In the end, do you think he killed Marthe and Annette, or did the fall to their deaths because of their blindness?

Pierre was a scary character. In his youth he was doing such horrific things that you knew some would probably carry on into his adult years and likely get worse. I am of a couple minds when it comes to the death of Marthe and Annette. I don't think they both fell to their deaths, but it is possible that Marthe was coming to Annette's aid and she died. It just didn't seem to me like a good idea for Pierre to outright kill Marthe if he wanted to sell the house. Annette, though, he had no need to keep alive. And, it is still possible that he got into a rage and killed both of them.

4. The book is being compared to Rebecca and Daphne du Maurier’s writing. Do you think the book lives up to that description?

I think that Lawrenson did a very risky thing using such a famous novel as a blueprint for her novel. That being said, I think she actually did a really good job. I am a huge fan of Rebecca, so I am a bit biased in thinking that this book doesn't entirely live up to the awesomeness of that book, but Lawrenson's changes and additions made for a very readable story. I particularly enjoyed the alternate storyline that turned out to be a ghost story. I love ghost stories! Ultimately, I think it comes down to the fact that Lawrenson is a talented author in her own right and I think she can go far in the industry. I look forward to something new from her!

5. Did you have any problems with the book? Narration? Plot? The back and forth between two different characters and times?

I love books that jump back and forth between times and characters, but publishers need to understand it needs to be clear what is happening. I think the biggest disadvantage to this book was that the narrators kept changing, but there was no clear indication of when that happened. It made me pause in my reading to get my head around who was talking and as a result it took me out of the story for a bit.

6. Do you think Lawrenson tied both stories together well in the end? Is there anything she could/should have done differently?

I really enjoyed the ending to this book. The Benedicte storyline was my favourite of the two, but it was fun to see how they were connected. I also love ghost stories! I think Lawrenson tied the two stories together in a creative way. It seemed like there was more to Benedicte than met the eye, but it wasn't entirely evident in the beginning just what was happening. I actually got the impression in the first of the book that she was living in the house at the same time as Dom and Eve, but then the book moved in a different direction and I thought I was wrong. I was happy to see I was actually right on track!

7. One problem I had with the novel is the reliability of the narrators. Do you think any of them were telling the truth? Which ones?

I think ultimately it was a book of lies, but finely crafted ones. It is what made the book work, though. There were many suspicions, unanswered questions, and doubts. It made the story that much more interesting wondering what was happening all the time. I don't think the characters could have told the truth and had it work in the book. It worked best because you never really knew what was going on. It also meant you kept reading until the end to find out how it all played out. I think Lawrenson did a wonderful job with this idea!

Previous Weeks:

Part 1

Part 2

The Lantern Read-a-Long - Part 2

The Lantern by Deborah Lawrenson

A modern gothic novel of love, secrets, and murder—set against the lush backdrop of Provence

Meeting Dom was the most incredible thing that had ever happened to me. When Eve falls for the secretive, charming Dom in Switzerland, their whirlwind relationship leads them to Les GenÉvriers, an abandoned house set among the fragrant lavender fields of the South of France. Each enchanting day delivers happy discoveries: hidden chambers, secret vaults, a beautiful wrought-iron lantern. Deeply in love and surrounded by music, books, and the heady summer scents of the French countryside, Eve has never felt more alive.

But with autumn’s arrival the days begin to cool, and so, too, does Dom. Though Eve knows he bears the emotional scars of a failed marriage—one he refuses to talk about—his silence arouses suspicion and uncertainty. The more reticent Dom is to explain, the more Eve becomes obsessed with finding answers—and with unraveling the mystery of his absent, beautiful ex-wife, Rachel.

Like its owner, Les GenÉvriers is also changing. Bright, warm rooms have turned cold and uninviting; shadows now fall unexpectedly; and Eve senses a presence moving through the garden. Is it a ghost from the past or a manifestation of her current troubles with Dom? Can she trust Dom, or could her life be in danger?

Eve does not know that Les GenÉvriers has been haunted before. BÉnÉdicte Lincel, the house’s former owner, thrived as a young girl within the rich elements of the landscape: the violets hidden in the woodland, the warm wind through the almond trees. She knew the bitter taste of heartbreak and tragedy—long-buried family secrets and evil deeds that, once unearthed, will hold shocking and unexpected consequences for Eve.

This is the second week of the Read-a-Long of The Lantern as part of the R.I.P. Challenge. I came up with the questions this week, so you can read them and my answers to them below.

1. The title of this book is The Lantern, and a lantern makes an appearance in both of the stories. In Benedicte’s past, it had a meaning, but what do you think the lantern signifies in her future and in Eve’s story?

I really like this question, but I am not sure if I can make an informed decision on what the lantern means. In the past it was a signal for Benedicte to go and meet with her fiance, so when she sees it in the future she assumes it is another ghost from her past. Eve is also seeing it, though, so it is interesting to consider what that means for her. There is also a strange woman that keeps appearing and then disappearing on their land, so it could possibly have something to do with that. It could also be Benedicte's past showing up in Eve's future. It could also mean that the past is haunting Eve, too, but not necessarily her past. There are several possible ideas and I hope we get some real answers.

2. Carl mentioned scents in last weeks questions, but they have been addressed even more in these sections. What significance do you think scents have in this story overall?

I find it intriguing that both Benedicte and Eve smell random scents that they cannot explain. Benedicte's sister, Marthe, was a famous perfume maker. This could easily be a haunting of Benedicte's past. For Eve, though, it is like the lantern. Is it Benedicte's past haunting the house still, a haunting from Eve's past, or is it something to do with the mysterious Rachel? I look forward to having it explained.

3. What do you think of the combining storyline of Marthe? She connects Benedicte, Eve, and Rachel. What do you think will be revealed about this connection in the next sections?

I am actually very intrigued by Marthe. Is she a real person? I should look that up. I find it very interesting that she was blind, but managed to make such a success for herself. For the time she was living in, this was very impressive because of both her handicap and her sex. Benedicte is being haunted with the ghost of her sister, but we also see flashbacks to what Marthe was like when she was alive. Then, in the future, Rachel and Even were both researching the life of Marthe. It is interesting how this long-dead woman is connecting the woman of the novel.

4. Now that things are beginning to move along, what do you think of the characters? Are any standing out for you? Do you particularly like any? Dislike any?

I am happy to see that Eve is getting a bit of gumption. She was just a bit too much of a pushover for a bit there. I still think she could stand to grow a bit more as a character, but it could be a lot worse. I still really like Benedicte. She had a hard life and I am intrigued by how her story is going to play out. I am also interested in the hauntings from her past because there are a few mysteries there that I wouldn't mind learning more about. Dom is just annoying. He is a bit too Mr. deWinter for me. I am curious what his connection will be with the death of Rachel. He claims in this section it was cancer, but then why all the mystery?

5. What do you think really happened to Marthe and Annette? What do you think the significance of the bones in the pool are to the story? Especially now that it has been revealed that Rachel is also dead.

I actually kinda was thinking the bones in the pool were Marthe and Annette. I honestly cannot see them being Rachel unless Dom is insanely stupid. Besides, the pool was being put in at the time of their hasty departure and it was a huge slab of concrete by the time Dom and Eve buy the place. That being said, I am curious about the connection to the missing girls. There are a lot of explanations for the bones in the pool because there are a lot of unanswered question.

6. Do you have any other things you think are significant to talk about? Are there any other predictions to be made for the last two sections of the book?

I have decided to try and not make predictions. I obviously have some ideas, as mentioned in the above questions, but I would like to try and just enjoy the book and not put too much pressure on it. If it goes in entirely a different direction I mind end up disappointed. I am mainly just hoping that the majority of the unanswered questions have a suitable answer.

7. Lastly, what do you think of this book overall? Other than for the read-along, why are you reading it? Is it meeting your expectations?

I think I am mainly reading this book because ever since I read The Thirteenth Tale, I have been looking for the next great new Gothic read. I think part of me was hoping this was it. The book is sufficiently Gothic, but I am not entirely sure if I am going to enjoy it quite as much as Setterfeld's book. I suppose I will have to see how the end goes. I am enjoying it, though, and it is suitably Gothic.

Previous Thoughts:

Week 1

Short Story Sunday - Week 5 (A Day Late) and The Lantern Read-a-Long Part 1

Short Story Sunday - Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman - Week 5

In the introduction to Neil Gaiman's short story collection -- a wildly diverse assortment of horror, sci-fi, dark fantasy, poetry, and speculative fiction -- he explains the book's title: "Stories, like people and butterflies and songbirds' eggs and human hearts and dreams, are fragile things, made up of nothing stronger or more lasting than twenty-six letters and a handful of punctuation marks."
Noteworthy selections in this undeniably exceptional collection include the Hugo Award winning "A Study in Emerald," which deftly blends Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's late-19th-century England with gruesome Lovecraftian horror; the Locus Award winning "October in the Chair"; an homage to Ray Bradbury that features the months of the year personified; and "How to Talk to Girls at Parties," a tale featuring two oversexed teenagers from an all-boys school in South London who stumble into a party full of what they take to be hot chicks but are in reality alien tourists! Also included are a brilliant American Gods novella ("Monarch of the Glen") and "Strange Little Girls," a series of, well, strange very short stories that first appeared in a Tori Amos tour book.

Like his previous short story collection (1998's critically acclaimed Smoke and Mirrors), Gaiman's Fragile Things is anything but; this is a powerhouse compilation that proves once again that Gaiman is a true master of short fiction. It's fitting that he dedicates this collection to three short story icons -- Bradbury, Harlan Ellison, and Robert Sheckley.

Stories Read This Week:

Locks

The Problem of Susan

Instructions

How Do You Think it Feels?

Locks

I love telling stories. I will put my friends' kids to bed simply for the ability to be able to read to them or tell them a story. When I was little my parents used to read to us, but I don't really remember a time when they made up the stories. So, I used to do so for myself. I would take stories I had been read and rewrite them for myself. The two that I can remember are 'The Elephant Prince' and 'The Princess Who Laughed and Laughed'. This story reminded me of that. In this case it was a an imagined moment when a story is being told and the listener is 'helping'. It was a really fun story. It also reminded me of this annoying book that my brother had where a bear would be getting ready for the day and after saying what he did, it would say 'So do I'. My mother or father would tell what the bear did and then my brother would say 'So do I'. It was his first 'reading' and I absolutely hated that book.

The Problem of Susan

This is actually why this group read came along. I was reading The Magician's Book for the Once Upon a Time challenge and in there it mentioned that Neil Gaiman had written a story imagining what it was like for Susan after the events of the last book. I mentioned in an email to Carl that I wanted to read this story, he told me it was in this collection, and the read-a-long was born. I had been meaning to read this collection anyway, but this story was the reason it happened sooner rather than later. I wish I had liked the story a bit better, though. It was a bit strange, which isn't necessarily a terrible thing, but I think I had a different idea for how Susan turned out and this was not it. I was always bothered by the end of the series, though, so maybe nothing would have pleased me no matter how creative the imagination. The story is meant to be an irritant, though. So, maybe it was effective? I enjoy that he was talking about the power of children's literature. The story might not have been an entire waste for that simple reason.

Instructions

Yay! A poem I actually enjoyed! Carl thought I might and I did, so that makes me happy. I love fairy tales and this is instructions should you find yourself in one. This appealed to my inner nerd, I believe. I loved it!

How Do You Think it Feels?

um, I really don't know what to say about this story. I really enjoy gargoyles, but I am not sure if I entirely could get excited about the idea of a gargoyle guarding a heart. It just didn't have the same atmosphere for me. I was also surprised by the sex references in this story and 'The Problem of Susan'. I just didn't find they were necessary for the story and things would have progressed just as well without them. I just found that I didn't make a connection with this story and the characters in it. It will probably be erased from my memory very quickly.

Other Posts:

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

The Lantern by Read-A-Long - Week 1

A modern gothic novel of love, secrets, and murder—set against the lush backdrop of Provence

Meeting Dom was the most incredible thing that had ever happened to me. When Eve falls for the secretive, charming Dom in Switzerland, their whirlwind relationship leads them to Les GenÉvriers, an abandoned house set among the fragrant lavender fields of the South of France. Each enchanting day delivers happy discoveries: hidden chambers, secret vaults, a beautiful wrought-iron lantern. Deeply in love and surrounded by music, books, and the heady summer scents of the French countryside, Eve has never felt more alive.

But with autumn’s arrival the days begin to cool, and so, too, does Dom. Though Eve knows he bears the emotional scars of a failed marriage—one he refuses to talk about—his silence arouses suspicion and uncertainty. The more reticent Dom is to explain, the more Eve becomes obsessed with finding answers—and with unraveling the mystery of his absent, beautiful ex-wife, Rachel.

Like its owner, Les GenÉvriers is also changing. Bright, warm rooms have turned cold and uninviting; shadows now fall unexpectedly; and Eve senses a presence moving through the garden. Is it a ghost from the past or a manifestation of her current troubles with Dom? Can she trust Dom, or could her life be in danger?

Eve does not know that Les GenÉvriers has been haunted before. BÉnÉdicte Lincel, the house’s former owner, thrived as a young girl within the rich elements of the landscape: the violets hidden in the woodland, the warm wind through the almond trees. She knew the bitter taste of heartbreak and tragedy—long-buried family secrets and evil deeds that, once unearthed, will hold shocking and unexpected consequences for Eve.

This is week one of the group read of The Lantern by Deborah Lawrenson for the R.I.P. Challenge VI. Carl has thought up the questions for this week and you can read my answers below.

1. This may seem like an obvious opening question, but what do you think of The Lantern thus far?

Let' s put it this way... After I finished the second section I was very tempted to email you and say 'evil'. I looked at the schedule, I looked at where I was in the book, and I wanted to read on. I couldn't, though,because I wanted my questions for next week to be about the next sections predominately and this week to not reflect that I had read on. It took me a while to get into the flow of the book, but when I finally did it wasn't almost too late. Hopefully when I pick it up again I will be able to recapture the mood I was in when I read the second section. If I had read this myself and not for a read-a-long I would be finished by now.

2. The book appears to be following the experiences of two different women, alternating back and forth between their stories. Are you more fond of our main protagonist's story or of Benedicte's or are you enjoying them both equally?

Tough question. I think I am enjoying Benedicte's story more, though. It is more of a ghost story and there is a lot of unanswered questions. The main protagonist is a bit predictable, so unless the author does something amazing you basically know how things are going to play out.

3. The Lantern is a book filled with descriptions of scents. How are you liking (or disliking) that aspect of the book? How do you feel about the lavish description of scents? How are the short chapters working for you?

I like that aspect of the book. A scent can really set a mood, which it is doing so far in this book. Your sense of smell can also lead to things you might not appreciate with your other senses. I like the short chapters. When I read I tend to try and read to the end of a chapter before putting a book down for the day. I get very exasperated when the chapter seems to be going on forever and I am falling asleep. I have learned long ago that short chapters work best for me when I am tired.

4. How would you describe the atmosphere of Parts 1 and 2 of The Lantern?

The sections both have a darkish quality to them. The main protagonist is being haunted by the memory of a mysterious past and Benedicte is being haunted by ghosts from her past. The stories are dealt with in a different way, but ultimately they have the same feel to them. I look forward to seeing how things play out.

5. Has anything surprised you to this point? Anything stand out?
I am only disappointed with this book so far because nothing has really surprised me. It is basically playing out the way that you would expect. I hope that there is a big surprise in the future or I think that no matter how much I enjoy this book, I will overall be disappointed.

6. What are your feelings about Dom in these first two sections of the story?
He reminds me a lot of a certain male character from a certain book by a famous female author with the last name du Maurier. I am sure you have no idea what I am talking about... This book might be set in a more modern period, but he is equally as secretive and the mysteries will probably not be solved until they have to be just like in said famous book.

Bonus question: Did anyone else hear "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again" ringing in their ears through the first sections of the book?

Which leads me to this question... Honestly? A character named Rachel. A house that plays a central role. An ex-wife that has 'mysteriously' disappeared. At least in the other book there was sort of an explanation. In this book she has simply vanished. I was happy for about ten seconds because the main protagonist had a name, but then she goes on to say that he calls her Eve but that is not really her name. It is not to say I am not liking the book so far, but it is to say I am curious about how it will all play out and how many similarities there will be.