Book discussion: Fire and Hemlock, Parts One and Two

[shimotsuki]

Here is the first of two discussion posts for Fire and Hemlock, by Diana Wynne Jones. It may be the case that we've all read the whole book already (I certainly found it hard to put down), but let's keep to the original plan and discuss only Part One ("New Hero") and Part Two ("Now Here") in this post so we don't accidentally spoil anyone who hasn

Comments

[sspring92]

I am also really enjoying the book. It's probably not a book I ever would have picked up on my own, and it's really quite different that I expected.
Even though I am a Non-Brit, The school days feel and characters feel very familiar. I am dating myself, but I grew up in the 80's. The descriptions of the clothing really took me back1 And I swear I went to school with a couple of Ninas!
I find myself forgetting at times That this is 19 year old Polly looking back. I've gotten so engrossed in the story!
I wondered the same thing as Shimotsuki comment about whether or not Mr Lyn or Polly can make things happen separately. However, when Polly, Nina and Fiona go into the hardware store in Stow-On-The Water, Leslie and the evil Mr Lynn (sorry his name just escpaped me) are still there. But when the 2 of them are together, the effect seems to be magnified. By the way, is there really a Stow-On-the-Water? I visited Stow-on-the-Wold, So I substituted that in my mind's eye!
At one point, Polly's mother states that she doesn't believe Mr Lynn is real. I must admit, I was wondering the same thing. I had to go back and check, but Granny and Nina had both seen him. I as getting a feeling like M Night Shamaylan's 6th sense!
I haven't finished as of yet, but I think I will reread once done, I'm sure everything will have a whole new meaning!

Oh and It just goes to show how deeply ingrained in my subconscious they are....I see Mr Lynn and Polly as a younger Remus and Tonks!

[gilpin25]

By the way, is there really a Stow-On-the-Water? I visited Stow-on-the-Wold, So I substituted that in my mind's eye!

Not as far as I know. I presume she's combined Stow, which as you'll know from having been there sits on top of a hill, and it's near neighbour, Bourton-on-the-Water. That has a long, picturesque high street which the river runs through the middle of. Stow's bigger while Bourton's prettier and busier.

I think we're all as one with the school days, and the intense friendships formed there, which one minute are the most crucial thing in life, and in the next, you're both friends with someone else and barely speak. I loved Nina's blackmailing techniques: "I shan't play with you any more!" and "I won't be your friend any more!"

[shimotsuki]

The school days feel and characters feel very familiar. I am dating myself, but I grew up in the 80's. The descriptions of the clothing really took me back1 And I swear I went to school with a couple of Ninas!

Oh, me too!

I haven't finished as of yet, but I think I will reread once done, I'm sure everything will have a whole new meaning!

I've started my reread, and I'm totally seeing things I didn't see the first time. I think this is one of those books that, far from being "spoiled", gets more interesting on a reread.

Oh and It just goes to show how deeply ingrained in my subconscious they are....I see Mr Lynn and Polly as a younger Remus and Tonks!

When katyhasclogs recommended this book, she mentioned that it just might appeal to R/T fans, so I think you are not alone. ;) (I'll have more to say about, shall we say, "May/December issues" in the second discussion post, but before starting the book I was a little worried about being disturbed by that aspect, and my fears were (mostly) unfounded.)

[huldrejenta]

Nice icon:-)

...shall we say, "May/December issues"

Do we know how old Mr. Lynn is? (I was thinking more like May/September, heh)

[shimotsuki]

The icon didn't quite come out the way I wanted -- you can hardly see the hemlock! I'll have to try again when I have time. ;)

I don't think it's too much of a spoiler to say we never get Mr. Lynn's exact age, but Polly realizes toward the end of the book that he is younger than he seemed to her when she was a child. So, maybe he's on the order of about 15 years older? About the same age difference as Remus and Tonks, except without the 120-year wizard lifespan, lol. So, May/September is probably about right. ;)

[huldrejenta]

Toward the ending Seb says to Polly that Tom is ten years older than him. And Seb is four years older than Polly?

I've finished the book now, and I can totally understand why you all felt it difficult to discuss only the first two parts ;) Looking forward to hearing people's thoughts about the book as a whole!

[shimotsuki]

Oh, well spotted, finding that about Mr. Lynn's age. I remember Seb saying that now, but I'd completely forgotten.

I've finished the book now, and I can totally understand why you all felt it difficult to discuss only the first two parts ;)

Ha! When I set this up to have one check-in discussion halfway through, I had no idea how hard that would be to stick to.