I know a lot of us are avid readers and may have read ahead. Is this pace too slow? I have to keep in mind the Tweens in the group who have homework and other reading to keep up with so I don't want to move too quickly. I'm thinking we should plan to be through Chapter 15 by Sunday, April 6th, and that we can continue posting our discussions throughout the week. Again, I don't know what I'm doing so I welcome your suggestions.
I like that the questions over there ==>
gave me something to think about as I was reading. Maybe we can delve in to some of those questions or discuss other topics that came to mind while you were reading. I know Emily is anxious to answer at least one of those questions.
I want to say thanks to Becky for starting the discussion and getting us thinking about where this story takes place. France seems a likely option, given the use of french names as pointed out by both Verna and Nancy.
One question I had while reading was this: At the end of chapter 2, the author tells us the "exceedingly bright star" the magician talked to while in prison was not a star but was actually the planet Venus and that it shone particularly bright that year. This seems to be a significant point - I wonder why?
In chapter 5, we find the Countess really upset at the arrival of the elephant. How does the elephant's arrival stir up the people of Baltese? And how does the Countess regain the upper hand?
We haven't heard much about the elephant yet, but I do find myself wondering about her feelings - maybe because of what the policeman said about it not being her fault and yet she is jailed along with the magician. She must be terribly confused and sad at this point. I hope we'll get to hear more from her perspective.
