Not much happened the last few chapters. Though she won't admit it, I'm pretty sure Lucy is falling in love with Graham/Dr. John. They're spending a lot of time together, but I have a feeling he thinks they're "just friends." During an outing to the theater, there's a panic, and in the throngs of people trying to leave, a young woman swoons. Naturally, Dr. John comes to her rescue. This girl is oddly familiar!!
This does not bode well for Lucy -- especially when all of a sudden she doesn't hear from him or his mother for weeks. Seven weeks, to be exact! Finally, she gets a note from her godmother, inviting her to come over and meet some old friends -- Ginevra's wealthy uncle and cousin. Lo and behold, the cousin is the swooning girl who is none other than . . . little Polly, all grown up now! I had been wondering all along when she would show up, or whether Ginevra and Polly were the same person.
Polly's father, who is now know as Count Bassompierre, is looking for a school for Polly. She's seventeen but apparently her education has been sketchy. He's very interested in Madame Beck's school. Polly seems a lot like Ginevra, equally annoying, but with more money. She is shocked -- shocked, I tell you! -- that Lucy actually has to earn a living.
And of course, Dr. John rekindles his friendship with Polly. I forsee him falling in love with her now that he's over Ginevra, and will break Lucy's heart. I'm also envisioning some catfights between Polly and Ginevra now that Dr. John has gotten tired of her. Will this be a love triangle? Quadrangle? Hopefully things will pick up now because the last few chapters have been awfully slow.
The audio of Jane Eyre, on the other hand, is just getting better and better. And it's overdue at the library, eek!
Stick with it, Karen! You will be rewarded! Polly is super annoying. I know we're supposed to love her but I just wanted to push her off a cliff. Villette is such a superb novel. You have to have patience with it though and keep the faith that it will pick up because when it does - OH! you will be in floods of tears!
ReplyDeleteWell, that's one mystery solved! I'm glad you're putting up in installments because you've now read past the point where I quit and I'd rather learn about the rest of the book in proxy than by actually reading it.
ReplyDeleteGlad you're still with us! :) You didn't think the fact that Lucy may be going crazy is a little bit interesting? I am rather intrigued by that... can't wait to find out.
ReplyDeleteBookssnob -- I detest Polly as well. She's horribly annoying.
Catfight! I'm sure that Lucy would just sit back and enjoy the popcorn :)
ReplyDeleteWhat I'm finding fascinating is how much the writing tells us about Lucy, even when it isn't directly about what's going on.
ReplyDeleteYou've got dueling Bronte novels right now? I don't know if I'd be able to do that!
Booksnob -- I LOVE that you want to push Polly off a cliff -- I was thinking about how I'd love to give Ginevra a sharp slap upside the head, but your way is better. I'll stick with it though.
ReplyDeleteAmanda -- I'll keep you posted.
Wallace -- I'm just starting to realize she might be going off the deep end.
Alexandra -- I agree, I think Polly and Ginevra should fight over Dr. John. Like Jane Austen Fight Club! Have you seen the YouTube videos with the Bronte sisters action figures? I must put them in my next posting.
Melody -- I must not be paying enough attention. I didn't mean to do dueling Brontes (love that, must borrow it!) but I needed and audio book for the car, and the new movie is coming out, and I hadn't read it for years. . . I couldn't help myself.
I think it would be wonderful to listen to this on audio...I read it, all in one weekly span, because I didn't want to lose the momentum of the story. It just wasn't a book that I could pick up, put down, pick up again and feel any kind of continuity. I'd forget all the nuances.
ReplyDeleteBellezza, I think I might appreciate it more if I was reading it more consistently, and not alternating with other books. I should have known better than to sign up for two readalongs at the same time.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if it's dragging because you're reading it slowly? I do look forward to reading this one sometime. Even though it sounds like many people find it slow... (I've been skimming your posts as I haven't yet read it)
ReplyDeleteThe end of that relationship quadrangle is actually what has stuck most with me about this book, I'll be interested to see how it turns out for you.
ReplyDeleteI had trouble at this point in Villette too, when I read it a few years ago. It started off so strong and then just got soooooo boring. For many, many chapters. It languished on a table beside my favorite reading chair for months! I finally forced myself to finish it by saying I couldn't start any other books until it was done. It did start to pick back up eventually and I was glad I finished it instead of stopping completely, but it's certainly not a favorite of mine. I'm sure I made it worse with the long delay in reading, but I don't think it would have been a favorite either way. I hope it gets better for you!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about this book - it is boring. I'm hoping with the return of Polly it will pick up and hold my interest. I already feel sorry for Lucy - Grahame is falling for Polly so he's out of the question now. I'm thinking M. Paul may be the man for Lucy.
ReplyDeleteBy the by, loved your post and that book cover of Villette!
He he, cat fight sounds nice!! ;) I bet Polly would win and Lucy would just watch & analyse :)
ReplyDeleteI hope Lucy can get over Graham, I think he's proved that he's not the man for her.
150 years old and still creating such emotions in us all. CB must've been doing something right. :)
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