The Pillars of the Earth eps 3-4 and some fun reading
It took me a bit to really fall for The Pillars of the Earth but I am definitely a goner by now. It might be the shipping (Jack/Aliena is so my thing, it hurts) or it might be the show's never-ending love of torturing its protagonists...
Healthy mother-son relationship:
Unhealthy mother-son relationship. You know, William is a murdering and raping psycho, but for the sake of people around him, I wish there was someone to try to put the fear of hell into him(seems the only the only thing that works) instead of egging him on. His body count may be less, or slower:
I love how utterly smitten and engrossed by her he looks always. But what got me was when Prior Phillip tells Aliena that she has two protectors - God and himself, Jack adds under his breath "And me. You have me." Swooooooon.
Seriously. So smitten.
Alfred clearly likes her too but ummm...no, thank you.
Evilest Bishop ever. Or something. So far he is responsible for every bad thing ever. I bet he kicks puppies in his spare time.
They kill me, seriously. I also love that the kiss happens after he's been trying to, rather incoherently, how he feels while sculpting. And it's so spontaneous and overwhelming and adorable and boooo on Alfred for interrupting! I also love how happy she looks.
However, since anyone is allowed only 2.5 seconds of happines per episode, we then get this. Prior Phillip is being tortured and about to be hanged by the bad guys, and Jack garotted, left for dead, and thrown into a mass grave. God, if these were modern people, they'd need therapy forever! As they are denizens of the 12th century, they'll just probably call it Wednesday.
In other news, I've been reading a bunch of stuff, out of which these two are notable:
Elizabeth Chadwick, Shields of Pride - a novel set in the 12th century, following Joscelin de Gael, a mercenary and a bastard son of a nobleman, and Linnet, a noble widow who is given to him in marriage once her awful husband dies. It's really good - both romantic and gritty, and delves a lot into social and other mores of the time. Plus, I really like the characters. Chadwick is always always good.
Elizabeth Hoyt, Thief of Shadows - this one is so so so good! It's set in the 1730s, and follows Winter Makepeace, seemingly a staid schoolmaster in the slums, who becomes a masked avenger by night, and Lady Eleanor - an older widow, patroness of Winter's orphanage, and someone who discovers who Winter really is. This is seriously amazing! The only one of Hoyt's books I like more was The Serpent Prince. It's passionate and angsty and with a hero and heroine I really really love - Winter is suicidally principled, tightly wound, and even more intense, plus really really good as a person. And Lady Eleanor is smart, pragmatic, and just - guuuuuh. They kill me. Note - if you mind older woman, younger man romance, stay away. Otherwise - go in!
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