I found the very very happy ending (lol I loved the use of the word saunter in connection with two old men near the end, it amused me like none other) a surprise too, but I liked it. Then again I like happy endings.
But yeah, throughout the whole book I kept wondering if Phoebe was going to sprout ten heads and eat people or something but all that really happened was she went into a weird trance and danced around.
[END SPOILERS!]
Personally I don't think the plot was the point. He states clearly in the beginning that he will focus on the sins of the father passed down to the son, and I think his use of small anecdotes in these people's lives added to the characterization and depth the book held. And honestly, I know I mentioned earlier I was waiting for the other shoe to drop, but in the meanwhile didn't think the book had a "dark and gloomy atmosphere" atmosphere at all. It never felt as dark as I thought it would have been.
But then again, I haven't read The Scarlet Letter so maybe my standards are
I normally love happy endings too - and some aspects of H7G were fine. I liked that Phoebe and Holgrave/Maule ended up together, and I liked the notion in general that love can conquer an ancient curse.
But here's what I think would have been cool: if Clifford had actually committed the crime for which he'd been imprisoned, and if he had actually murdered Judge Pyncheon in the end. I felt like he and Hepzibah were doomed to be unhappy and to be killed by a ghost at the end or something. I think that would have been a much cooler ending than the HEA, which didn't seem to follow from all the darkness that went before.
I take your point about the plot not being the emphasis...but that really bothers me in novels! I like plots! Character-driven novels can be good too, and I'm not saying that plot should always beat character...but I don't think H7G was particularly strong in either area. Oh well, it's just my rambling opinion! :)
I saw the Phoebe/Holgrave pairing as one that resolves the curse rather than their love conquering it (the full circle sort of deal), but that might be the influence of too many Korean movies/dramas.
Hahaha I have to admit the way Hawthorne wrote about their fleeing and stuff was pretty amazing. I don't think I would have cared either way if Clifford did kill the man or not...he was so sad either way. But maybe on a second reading I'll form more of an opinion.
It's the opinion of lots of criticisms too - right now for class I'm reading one on the structure and the first thing he mentions is that it HAS no structure, exactly what you mentioned! You probably don't want to read it since you want to just forget about the book lol, but I can email/upload it for you if you want.
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I found the very very happy ending (lol I loved the use of the word saunter in connection with two old men near the end, it amused me like none other) a surprise too, but I liked it. Then again I like happy endings.
But yeah, throughout the whole book I kept wondering if Phoebe was going to sprout ten heads and eat people or something but all that really happened was she went into a weird trance and danced around.
[END SPOILERS!]
Personally I don't think the plot was the point. He states clearly in the beginning that he will focus on the sins of the father passed down to the son, and I think his use of small anecdotes in these people's lives added to the characterization and depth the book held. And honestly, I know I mentioned earlier I was waiting for the other shoe to drop, but in the meanwhile didn't think the book had a "dark and gloomy atmosphere" atmosphere at all. It never felt as dark as I thought it would have been.
But then again, I haven't read The Scarlet Letter so maybe my standards are
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I normally love happy endings too - and some aspects of H7G were fine. I liked that Phoebe and Holgrave/Maule ended up together, and I liked the notion in general that love can conquer an ancient curse.
But here's what I think would have been cool: if Clifford had actually committed the crime for which he'd been imprisoned, and if he had actually murdered Judge Pyncheon in the end. I felt like he and Hepzibah were doomed to be unhappy and to be killed by a ghost at the end or something. I think that would have been a much cooler ending than the HEA, which didn't seem to follow from all the darkness that went before.
I take your point about the plot not being the emphasis...but that really bothers me in novels! I like plots! Character-driven novels can be good too, and I'm not saying that plot should always beat character...but I don't think H7G was particularly strong in either area. Oh well, it's just my rambling opinion! :)
Reply
Hahaha I have to admit the way Hawthorne wrote about their fleeing and stuff was pretty amazing. I don't think I would have cared either way if Clifford did kill the man or not...he was so sad either way. But maybe on a second reading I'll form more of an opinion.
It's the opinion of lots of criticisms too - right now for class I'm reading one on the structure and the first thing he mentions is that it HAS no structure, exactly what you mentioned! You probably don't want to read it since you want to just forget about the book lol, but I can email/upload it for you if you want.
Reply
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