The House of the Spirits discussion: Chapters 5-9

[AquariJenn]

Please share your thoughts on Chapters 5-9 of The House of the Spirits (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0553273914/ref=nosim/storknet00) by Isabel Allende. Here are some questions to get the discussion going, but please feel free to add your own questions to the mix:

* How have the characters changed as they have aged?

* What differences appear between the older generation and the newer one?

* What is your favorite scene from this section of the novel? Why?


Edited to fix link.

[SusanH]

I find that I'm enjoying this book much more as I go along. I've become accustomed to her style and the narration is no longer confusing me. I also prefer the younger generation to the older, particularly Jaime.

Many scenes from this section will stay with me - the abortion and Esteban Garcia's scene with Alba were particularly vivid. I don't know that I have a favorite scene, as the most compelling scenes were actually quite horrible!

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Susan, proud mama of Susanna Jane (http://users.adelphia.net/~harkavy/), 2/3/00 * at the park (http://users.adelphia.net/~harkavy/maypark.html) * "I sleepy!" (http://users.adelphia.net/~harkavy/sleepy.html)
Co-moderator of Attachment Parenting
Out with the jive, in with the love. - Mr. Burns

[H'OHara]

I am really enjoying it as well. The scenes are quite vivid, and it was actually quite difficult to read the abortion scene. I almost skipped it.

I like the younger generation also. They do as they please, with the exception of Blanca. I really am dissappointed by some of the choices that she makes.

I don't like how the Down Syndrome children are referred to, I understand that to be true to the book those are the terms that had to be used. I did appreciate that Blanca and Alba saw past what society made them, and accepted them as children that needed love and affection.

I'm not sure I have a favorite scene, as the most memorable were not happy.

[k-mom]

* How have the characters changed as they have aged?[b]Clara seems as eccentric as ever. Though she does seem to connect w/her sons more as she gets older. Blanca is less willful and defiant, resigned to being an old maid and remaining afraid of her father, Esteban. I feel like Blanca is still very young and needs to begin acting that way. Her liasons w/Pedro Tercero seem to foreshadow her doing just that. Esteban seems to have softened a little bit. He is all bark and no bite, and doesn't even try to control the goings on at the "big house on the corner", as he used to.

* What differences appear between the older generation and the newer one?The older generation seems rigid in their ideas and routines, unwilling to bend a different way. Satisfied to muddle along as the always have. The younger generation is less apt to listen to their elders or what society expects. They do what they wish, despite their Father.

* What is your favorite scene from this section of the novel? Why? My favorite scene from this section is the description of the morning routine that Esteban and Alba shared. Her going to his room and searching for chocolate that he has hidden for her. Alba eating the chocolate and enjoying it for her Grandfather, despite the fact that she doesn't like chocolate. I could almost see Esteban as a human being for the first time.


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Heather, 29
SAHM
DH - Sean, 31
DS - Tommy 12-10-99
DD - Gracie 03-09-01

[January]

I like Clara more as she ages. I found it difficult to tolerate her in the beginning. I love it when she gets her hands busy and finds some reality.

Vivid are the scenes with Blanca and her novio. When Esteban finds Blanca coming up the trail. The fight scene with Esteban and the novio when the fingers are cut off.

[Caryl]

First, I have a question for everyone. Allende refers to “the Poet” throughout this book. Is this poet Pablo Neruda? And have any of you seen Il Postino (the Postman)? I want to watch this movie again, after reading <i>Paula</i> and this book.

* How have the characters changed as they have aged?

My favorite change is that Esteban is finally opening himself up to someone – his granddaughter, Alba. I love the conversations they have, particularly about Tres Marias: “And what about the tenants who’ve always lived here? Why aren’t they the owners too?” :)

* What differences appear between the older generation and the newer one?

The younger generation reflects the changes in the nation. Jaime in particular is open to encouraging change, and sees that it is badly needed.

* What is your favorite scene from this section of the novel? Why?

I agree with all of you. There were so many difficult scenes to read in this section. I have two little favorites:

~ I loved how Amanda took crying, newborn Alba from Jaime, and put her on Blanca’s belly.

~ I was touched that Alba knew to stay with Clara through her illness and death. “She insisted that her grandmother was aware of everything and that she needed her. And this was true.”

It’s actually Friday, October 4th; I’m typing these notes to post when the boards go back up. I’m off to finish the book now!

[SusanH]

Caryl, I assumed it must be Neruda. He was Chilean and she mentions that The Poet was world-renowned, so I don't really know who else she could mean? The dates match too.

[Caryl]

Yup, I just finished the book, and I agree with you, Susan, that the Poet has to be Neruda. I really want to watch Il Postino again now, to see if there were any references to the politics of Chile that I missed. I know the ending was political, and I remember not quite getting it at the time. Beautiful movie!

Caryl