Leigh Ann, I thought the weaving of relationships was rather interesting here, and did they not mirror those that we experience hre and there in our own lives.

Clive- I LOATHED him. However, what a great character in the way that he could evoke such a response.

I ALMOST felt the book could have ended after the big fight- it just seemed like a good place- but, I'm glad some things still had to be said.

I disliked that Narcissa died- that death was the saddest to me.

All in all, I enjoyed the book quite a bit. It was my first Michael Morris book, but I doubt it'll be my last.

There were several places that stood out for me. One was Narcissa giving Ella that stash of money she had been keeping for going to Brazil and then being killed sort of in the line of duty while helping to protect the family. That made me feel profoundly sad.

When the two brothers and the hit men were killed, along with Clive, I couldn't help feeling glad. I hate to feel that way, but they meant nothing but harm to Ella.

It made me angry whenever Ella was with Clive trying to do business, and he kept calling her "precious" and sort of coming on to her. So slimy.

Lanier's healing of the black girl.

Lanier's finding Harlan and his trying to make him know who he was. I suspect there are others.

I really like this way of doing the book club even if realtors get in the way. *smile*

To answer Cindy's last question, I think the townspeople looked on Ella with pity despite the fact that she was clearly a strong and capable woman. Being married to Harlan certainly cast a shadow over her.

With such a large cast of characters and such an intricate plot, I'm curious to know which scene in the novel was your favorite? What made you laugh or cry or bristle with anger? Are there any in particular that stand out to you?

I think it was very artful how the story wrapped up. It is an art. I think I'll read some more of these books later on.

Do you think the general townsfolk viewed Ella as pathetic or as strong because of her marriage to Harlan? Clive thought of her as merely another conquest, both body and land-wise.

So I doubt it's an author trying to characterize someone overweight as a "bad guy." But a brilliant point nonetheless!

How a book peaks and resolves can vary, I think. Especially one with so many characters. As an author I think it would be a bit of a struggle to wrap up all the character and plot threads without dragging an ending on too long.

Cindy makes an excellent point about weight and the people who are in power (in the story). Perhaps Morris used those negative thoughts and feelings to make us dislike the characters even more? 

What about that minister? The one who was trying to start a retreat at the spring that was on Ella's property mainly, it would seem, to heal his life. But Clive saw it as a way to bring in money.

Did anyone ever notice that the powerful are often portrayed as very fat? What is that? Mostly in this day those of us who are more than a little fat feel powerless, sometimes because we feel looked down upon and partly because we start to feel despair about the  weight we are carrying and the difficulty removing it. Of course we have that power. But in this book, even as in so many others, and even sometimes in the Bible, power is portrayed with gross fat.

And another thing. I thought this book peaked at the fire fight between good and evil, the sorrow of the death of Narcissa, but the jubilation at the death of the "main bad guys" here. Seemed the book could end right there with Ella putting her full trust in Lanier. The town was still talking her down a little though, so she turns him away. Then there is a new peak with the influenza epidemic. That had to happen if we were to learn of the whereabouts of Harlan, and maybe Ella's near death had to be ortraying the hopelessness she was feeling, and then at the last minute, Lanier returns. At that point, she realizes he is to be trusted and together they can rebuild. The retreat, too, comes to an important place where it serves to educate young women. So the book has peaks and valleys and they are significant.

But you do bring up a good point: the necessity of a story having someone to love and someone to HATE. It's the extremes and the contrasts between Ella and Clive that make the story so rich. And give you someone to root for.

Can you imagine a story that didn't have those polarizing type characters? There are some, granted, but it sure pulls me in quicker when I despise a character.

And yes, I agree that when characters keep secrets from one another it creates a mess of conflict--but really that's what you want in a novel. A big giant mess that you long to be resolved.

Truly a brilliant stroke on Michael's part to draw from his own family history and include a man being shipped in the box.

But ultimately for me it was the plight of a desperate mother trying to keep her land that drew me in. It was impossible not to root for Ella.

There were some pretty dispicable characters in this story. I couldn't beleive how much I disliked both Harlan and Clive. 

It was an emotional time when Lanier found her husband in the tent of people who were dying of the influenza.

I'm so glad you're joining us in our new discussion format. Since we've already shaken things up a bit by changing to a once a month discussion instead of a weekly discussion I thought we'd take it a step further:

Instead of me preparing a few questions as usuall, I'd really love to hear from you in a conversational way–like we would if we were lounging around my living room (be warned, it's a mess–moving boxes everywhere–but you're quite welcome nonetheless!). I'd love to hear your thoughts on the novel, your questions for Michael, and your emotional journey through the story.

So to start us out, I've got a simple question: when it came to MAN IN THE BLUE MOON, when did the novel "get" you? What was the point you sat up and leaned into the story?

Think about that for a moment (or chime in if you already know) and I'll go prepare the virtual coffee and brownies.

Eager to hear from each of you!

Ariel

P.S. Every time you chime in with your thoughts on the novel you'll be entered to win a signed copy of MAN IN THE BLUE MOON (it would make a great Christmas gift).