“I have always been a reader. As a child, I loved books, though there weren’t many at home. But as soon as I went to school and was given one to look at the lovely pictures, and turned the pages to find more of the same, I was happy. Such colors and strange and vivid images! I marveled at how they were all closed up, asleep with their secrets unseen until you reached up and took the book down from the shelf.”
October is whooshing by at breakneck speed, yet I am doing all that I can to ensure that I revel in each fallen leaf and each cool night. Part of that revelry includes finally being able to read The Lantern. I’ve been looking forward to this group read for over a month as it is a book that I felt promised a moody, atmospheric, methodical (and I mean that in the best of ways) read that would embody the gothic spirit that is the inspiration for the R.I.P. Challenge. And here we are with the first week of our discussion. Thus far Deborah Lawrenson’s book is doing for me what I hoped it would do and I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it.
As with any group books discussion (as opposed to a ‘review’) there are potential spoilers in the questions and answers which follow. I hope that all of you who have already read the book will join in the discussion, just please remember not to leave any spoilers for those of us who have only read the first two parts of the book.
1. This may seem like an obvious opening question, but what do you think of The Lantern thus far?
As with the question, the answer may be obvious as well: I have been slowly but inexorably drawn in to the sights and sounds and yes, scents, of The Lantern. Admittedly it took a while longer than I had expected, I think largely because the very short chapters initially jarred me out of the languid air that the story was trying to wrap around me, but once drawn in I was lost, soaking up the atmosphere of this brooding and slow-building suspense tale.
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?
It would be disingenuous of me to say that I strongly favor Benedicte’s tale over Eve’s at this point but there is a slight preference for Benedicte’s story, largely brought about by the ghostly appearance of her sinister brother Pierre. This fondness is minimal, however, and by the time I came to the close of this section of reading I would have to say that the story of each character was running neck and neck in competing for my interest.
In looking back over these first sections of the book, I believe I was unconsciously keeping Eve at arm’s length because of what I felt was the oblivious nature of her quick attachment to Dom. Later on in the story she lets the reader in on the fact that she actually was not as undiscerning as she initially comes across but that she is making an effort to be fully honest in her recollection of the events that led up to where she is at in her life. It was in reading that line in the book that it dawned on me that I had been perhaps judging her, especially in light of the story being set in modern times, as Eve sometimes comes across as more provincial than a contemporary woman might actually be.
Just to clarify, I really do like Eve, it is just that she had to grow on me. And grow on me she has. I particularly like that she is a reader. This line in the book thrilled me:
“There were days in October when it was like being imprisoned in a cloud. In the library we made upstairs I read the Brontes.”
Sounds like she was participating in the R.I.P. Challenge to me! 🙂
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 mentioned earlier that the short chapters were initially difficult for me. I am actually quite a big fan of short chapters as I feel they make the act of reading, especially in the hustle and bustle of a busy week, much more manageable. However The Lantern is a book that is trying to evoke a mood, and at first I felt that the mood was being interrupted for me at each chapter break. That feeling quickly passed as I got to a point where I was able to have some quality reading time in which to envelope myself in the story.
My one and only lasting complaint thus far about The Lantern is that I do not like that there is no visual cue for when the story changes point of view from Eve to Benedicte other than it being a new chapter. There are times when it is not initially obvious who is speaking and I wish the publisher had chosen to use a different font or a shift in the boldness of the font or something that would allow me as a reader to know with the turn of a page that I was with either Eve or Benedicte. I’m probably alone in this, but I have seen this done in other books and I think it has added to my enjoyment and appreciation of those stories.
As for the lavish descriptions of scents, if this wasn’t a moody, gothic book I don’t know how I would feel about it. It might be too much. But because it plays into the story, and does so very early, I think it is an aspect of the book that I really enjoy. I am no connoisseur of scent. I cannot inhale the fragrance of a fine wine and discuss its bouquet with any degree of expertise. But I do like various smells, and while scent is something I am not as conscious of as our protagonist, there are times of the year in which scent plays a larger role in my life. I am particularly keen on fragrance during the autumn and the spring, where the quality of the air around me feeds and inspires my love of the season. I am also very scent-conscious during the Christmas holidays, when cinnamon in particular is something I want to smell in my home as often as possible.
So I am enjoying that part of the book and while I do not have the sophisticated nasal palate of Eve, I cannot help but want to sense these smells vicariously through her.
4. How would you describe the atmosphere of Parts 1 and 2 of The Lantern?
I described it earlier as having “slow-building suspense” and for me that is a pretty apt description. There are certain kinds of books where I want to be whisked quickly into the heart of the story, and others where I want to be lulled into a false sense of security coupled with an unquiet knowledge that bad things are about to happen. That is what The Lantern is doing for me and I find it deliciously atmospheric. The South of France is not where I expect a story like this to be set and I am finding that I am enjoying the juxtaposition of that beautiful landscape against the ever-growing dread of both Eve’s and Benedicte’s stories.
5. Has anything surprised you to this point? Anything stand out?
I was frankly surprised to find a wicked little boy as a central part of the storyline. Creepy, evil kids can sometimes be thrilling in a good scary story and thus far I am enjoying that Pierre is a character that I don’t like, if that makes any sense.
6. What are your feelings about Dom in these first two sections of the story?
I’m not feeling very disposed towards Dom, but then I am not sure we are supposed to given that we learn right away that he allegedly did something horrible. And the story thus far is thick with hints about awful things Dom might have done. While I suspect many of those are red herrings, I like that they exist. I also like that the author is showing that Dom is a complicated character, one who obviously inspired and perhaps even deserves Eve’s love, but one that is also very troubled and secretive and even a bit shifty.
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?
As you can guess from the question, I did. I am not sure if this was solely because of the quote on the cover comparing this book to Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca or not. I suspect not because the opening of the book and other aspects of it really do remind me of Rebecca.
Whatever the cause, that phrase went round and round in my head during the first several chapters of The Lantern. And that is not a bad thing.
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I do hope you are all enjoying the book thus far. Either way, I want to know your thoughts and I hope we will all join in conversation with one another regarding these first two parts of The Lantern. Just a reminder that Kailana will be handling question duties for Week Two and that they will be to you by Saturday at the latest, for your postings beginning Monday, October 17th. We are reading Parts 3 and 4 for Week Two.
Please leave a link to your Week One discussion post below.
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This book is a selection for the Peril of the Group Read portion of the 6th annual R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril (R.I.P.) Challenge. To find out more information and/or to sign up to participate, please follow the link. If you are interested in more books or films that are being reviewed as part of this event, please visit the R.I.P. VI Review Site.
I’m loving this one so far!
I also had to sometimes stop and do a double take to see whether it was Eve or Benedicte narrating. It makes me wish that the author could perhaps have italicized Benedicte’s segments, just to make it easier to see who was talking, as sometimes it took a couple paragraphs to contextualize it.
Pierre strikes me as having a pathological streak to him; the descriptions of what he does to kittens and butterflies alone makes me want to strangle him.
I’m on the same page with you, Grace. I was wishing that Benedicte’s segements were italicized as well. Just something to clue me in immediately as to who I am listening to at the exact moment that I turn the page.
Yes, Pierre seems like one of the more extreme kids that we work with at the program I supervise.
Sadly, this book still isn’t in for me from the library and probably won’t be even this month. Sigh. I guess I’ll have to save it for next year’s RIP. 🙁
I’m so sorry to hear that Amanda, I was hoping you could join us in this discussion. Of course whenever you read it I will look forward to your thoughts.
Thanks again for hosting. I’m looking forward to seeing how everyone’s getting along with it!
Me too, and you are welcome. I’m so glad others decided to join in so we can discuss this together.
Loved the passages of the scents…can still smell the lavender of France in my memories of walking through the fields as well as reading Deborah’s paragraphs. But, I am a fragrance junkie, so I’m not sure if others appreciate such olfactory description.
I understand that she used Rebecca as a springboard for The Lantern, yet perhaps that wasn’t the best vehicle. I would have enjoyed The Lantern more if it wasn’t constantly reminding me of (the far superior) Rebecca. But, here’s my prejudice coming through when you haven’t even read all of the book yet.
It’s interesting reading so many points of view about this novel; love the read-alongs you’re hosting with this year’s RIP.
Thanks Bellezza, I am enjoying them too.
It has been over 2 decades since I last read Rebecca so thus far I am not bothered by the way the stories seem to compare. At the same time I do appreciate it when an author’s influences are less obvious. All in all I’m really enjoying the book so far and I hope that continues.
I was a little confused by the switching narrator at first as well, but so far it’s been just back and forth between the two, which is pretty easy. And I’m actually thinking that the lack of differentiation is on purpose, that perhaps these two stories are going to become more intertwined than they seem just now.
You may be right, Alison, and if so that would explain the difference. I just know that that one little complaint of mine won’t keep me from enjoying the book but does make it a bit flawed (at this point, I’ll reserve judgement) and I so want this book to be one of those perfect, recommend it to everyone, reads.
Oh, I know how that goes! There have been many books that I’ve wanted to be fantastic in all ways but then there’s one niggling part that you have to be like, “Just ignore that. Pretend it doesn’t exist.” Let’s hope that this ambiguity clears itself up!
I’m certainly thinking positive about it. 🙂
I’m enjoying this as well, though I think I need to make myself slow down a little bit rather than gulp it down as I wonder if I am missing some of the little details about relationships and family history. I like the short chapters, but they also make it easy to read them quickly. I love the descriptions–it feels sort of warm and sunny, but there are still those menacing overtones. I wasn’t expecting Pierre to be so nasty either, but wicked is a good word! I think I preferred Eve’s story over Benedicte’s at least at first, but it took me a few chapters to really start to differentiate the two plotlines–Benedicte’s story was a little hazier at first but now it’s starting to fill in. Did I miss a reference to a missing woman? All of a sudden this body turns up and it jarred me a little. I’m not sure I was expecting such heavy references to Rebecca, which I just reread last year–it’s not bad necessarily, but there are a lot of similarities to the stories. I hope Lawrenson takes her story/ies off in a different direction as it all unfolds.
Although I don’t have a recent connection to Rebecca like you do I too hope that she takes her story in a different direction. I know that on some level I will be disappointed if the thing Dom did is the same thing that was done to Rebecca in du Maurier’s book.
I was in the same boat with the first half of this week’s reading schedule. I whipped through the first 50 pages or so a little faster than I should have and found myself later knowing that I was missing some little things because I couldn’t clearly recall the details of the earlier chapters. Not good. I did slow down with the rest of the section and will be making efforts to “savor” the rest of the story.
I feel similar to you, only I can’t say I like the writing. For me it is too much. Sometimes a tree is just a tree and not a darkly lush fig…
I alos prefer Bénédicte. Dom is the type of man I would just walk away from or slap in real life and Eve does neither the one nor the other….
I was expecting similar reactions to yours, Caroline. I was really cognizant of the writing during the second part of this week’s reading just because I wanted to analyze my own feelings about it and I discovered that either I was becoming accustomed to it or Lawrenson was able to stay just on this side of the line of being just enough or too much. I actually am really enjoying the writing now that I’ve gotten into the book.
Eve is an interesting character as she seems very bold at some points and very timid at others. She seems to be walking that fine line between wanting to pretend she is in this fairy tale relationship and the reality of Dom’s faults that are causing cracks to the bubble she is living in. I actually enjoyed that the character was starting to realize this though and beginning to admit some of this as we came towards the close of this week’s reading.
Oooooo, The creepy little boy sounds like a very good time indeed :0
I am certainly enjoying not liking the child. LOL!
I had the same complaint in the beginning of the book as well. I was never sure of who was talking, Eve or Benedicte. The distinct voices of the two characters becomes obvious later on. I think the author was purposely trying to mingle the two ladies in the beginning to show how they could be connected through both having lived at the same house. I really did like the descriptive aspect of the book. I think that’s what sets it apart.
You are right, Ariel, the voices did become more distinct as the story went on.
I am enjoying the descriptive elements as well. I am also enjoying, as Danielle pointed out, how this initially warm and sunny area can still be filled with a sense of foreboding.
I’m starting to think these group reads are sort of like group therapy…
They certainly can be! In some ways I feel that they accomplish what we all sometimes hope a book review will do which is generate discussion about the book itself. I like that this format encourages more discussion period and sometimes a much deeper discussion.
I like your idea about visual cues between the two narrators; I’ve seen that in other books as well. Sometimes that too can be jarring, but it at least clarifies the matter. I found the more I read, the more I could discern the two voices from each other (and of course, the more I came to expect their alternating voices.)
I think you and Caroline both hit the nail on the head with the question of the scents. An unexpected touch here or there would be nice in additional to engaging the other senses, instead of using so much of it that it becomes pervasive. To use an apt metaphor, when a person wears the same perfume everyday she can stop smelling the fragrance on herself. I became so accustomed to the litany of scents in the book, eventually I skimmed over those parts.
It can be. I think the least jarring way I’ve seen it done is with the italics, but then there are some readers I know who have a harder time reading italicized print so it is probably one of those ‘damned if you do, damned if you don’t’ scenarios.
I suspected right from the beginning that the scent descriptions would be a divisive (for lack of a better word) part of the read, with people falling on both sides of the argument. For my part I don’t feel that she takes it too far, but that is just my own personal experience and certainly feel the opposite opinion is a valid one. I feel the writing more closely resembles older romantic fiction that I’ve read and so it gives this contemporary novel an older feel which is what I was hoping it would have.
I’m not skimming, I’m soaking them all in.
I know, originally I said I wasn’t joining this group read, but I decided to nab the book when it came in at work. So I’ve only just started but hope to catch up soon.
Great! You should be able to Fence, the sections we are breaking out are short, just a little over 100 pages, and once it gets going it is a fairly quick read.
“I suspected right from the beginning that the scent descriptions would be a divisive (for lack of a better word) part of the read, with people falling on both sides of the argument.”
I couldn’t agree more! I happen to come down more on the side of being IN LOVE with the scent scenes in this book! Scent is supposed to be one of the most powerful senses in terms of provoking and sustaining memories, and I think that this alone fits so well within The Lantern. I mean, the smells of cinnamon and ginger mean Christmas to me, just as the smell of menthol and cigarette smoke will always remind me of my grandfather. Lots of people here have been talking about wanting or needing to slow down a savor, and I find that the passages on scent really allow me to do that!
I’m also not sure how I feel about Dom, and Eve by extension as a woman who is choosing to stay in a situation that would have me beating my head against the wall, demanding answers and if that makes him mad than LEAVE HIS CREEPY HOUSE IN FRANCE!!! I mean, I just wanted to shake her sometimes, but at the same time…I don’t know. There is something sad and endearing about the idea that maybe she is as stuck in the life choices she’s made as Benedicte does.
Great post, Carl, and I’m so totally loving hearing what everyone else has to say! I’m stoked I was able to grab this one from the library in time.
PS: HATE PIERRE!!! HATE HATE HATE!! But I also love him, because of how much I hate him, lol. How twisted, right?! 😉
I feel the same twisted way about Pierre. 🙂
I with you on the scent front and completely agree. Good point about how the descriptions of scent fit in with the idea of taking this book at a leisurely pace and savoring it rather than just rushing through to get to the next bit.
We can’t forget in the reading that by her own admission Eve and Dom are having moments of a truly passionate, whirlwind romance and that the bad things that she is experiencing are juxtaposed in her mind against the wonderful things she is experiencing. It is easy to judge her, I feel I have at times, but at the same time I think we’ve all been (or I hope we have) in the throes of passion in relationships where we are being anything but rational at the time.
I never thought about the swapping of narrators when I was answering my questions, but I started the next section today and I didn’t know who was talking at first, then I suspected who it was, and then I was sure who it was. That is obviously a problem!
I have to agree, I think I was keeping Eve at arms length, too. It wasn’t until the end of the section we just read that I discovered I was just curious about her as the other storyline…
Sorry, hope my question didn’t make it a problem for you, LOL! That would not be good at all.
Looking forward to getting back to The Lantern in a couple of days. I’ve got to catch up with my The Two Towers reading first.
Oh, no, I had started the new section before I read your answers.
And I am so behind on The Two Towers. I really hope I can squeeze it in! I just seem to have so much going on…
Okay, good. 🙂
I know, I have a lot going on as well, which is why I’ve been just concentrating on the group read stuff. Not that this is any great sacrifice as I love Fragile Things, am enjoying The Lantern, and just cannot resist finally getting back to the Lord of the Rings books.
I think it’s interesting that we both mentioned being bad at identifying the tones of wine and that we had that come to mind in the reading. It really does throw me a bit when she mentions a scent that I just haven’t experienced.
Great questions this week! They really got me thinking. I’ll admit that I read all of the next two parts late last night and through today because I just couldn’t wait. I’m not sure I’ll be able to hold out on that fifth part either now. Everything is coming together in a really interesting way and things like the narrative switching are just second nature now even though it was tough to follow at the beginning.
I truly believe people have that kind of nasal acuity, but I’ve never been one of them. I think part of the reason I like reading scent descriptions is that I do enjoy scent and wish I had that fine tuned ability to pick out the layers of scent. I know which wines I like, and I like the smell of them, but other than the obvious “grapes” I have no idea how to identify what other spices, fruits, etc. are in them just by smell alone.
I would be barreling on ahead myself if I wasn’t juggling two other group reads right now (very enjoyably so) and also trying to get some time to read The Night Circus.
Finally finished section two. Slow read for me at this point. Good questions, Carl! Here are my responses. I combined my answer to 3 and 4.
The writing and the atmosphere are gorgeous. Although I can feel it starting to pick up, the book has been hard for me to concentrate on for any length of time. I agree with you about the short chapters and the changing perspectives. I’m hoping that I enjoy it more as time goes on. Slow read for me so far.
I currently favor Benedicte’s story. There’s something about how Eve has allowed Dom to dominate (I had a negative reaction to him from the beginning because of his name) that relationship bugs me to no end. I think she’s sacrificing a lot for little in return. Yes, she no longer has to work and is engaged in a home reconstruction project with him, but she could just as easily become his prisoner there.
I love the setting and the way in which all of the senses are engaged. What I would love is for there to be more action involved. I understand that there is so much for Eve to take in, but it’s time to get the story moving.
Nothing has really surprised me at this point, but a few things have peaked my interest: Pierre and the missing girls. There’s something about the underground caves and those missing girls that spooks me.
Dom doesn’t appeal to me very much at all. At this point I don’t trust Eve to make good decisions and I do think that Dom takes advantage of the authority she gives him in the relationship. I’m open to what happens in the rest of the book, but it’s going to take a lot for me to care much for him.
Ha! I see a good deal of similarity there between The Lantern and Rebecca. I can’t say that that phrase went through my head, but it certainly fit when I read the question.
I added my link!! I listened to the audio version (so awesome, totally recommended) and had to listen to it all because of the expiration time from the library.
I love reading everyone’s comments above and am about to check out their posts as well.
Carl – the audio version is awesome because there was no confusion between narrators as Eve and Benedicte were narrated by two different ladies. I think it’s totally the way to experience this book (and I’m not usually too fond of audio books).
Thanks for hosting this!!!