Cecil | Litsy

Cecil | Elizabeth Eliot

pick

Such a perplexing read, yet it held my interest every time I picked it up, almost read like a thriller especially the 2nd half. This deceptively straightforward story about the strange mother-son-relationship is unsettling. As it‘s narrated by someone from afar, many things are told from the narrator‘s conjectures..rendering us not ever knowing what did really happen.
#FurrowedMiddleBrowClub

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Ruthiella Great review! It really was a page turner, wasn‘t it? I felt afraid of the lengths Lady Guthrie might go to. 3y

CarolynM Lovely review. There's room for a quite a few interpretations of the goings on. 3y

TrishB Great review 👍🏻 3y

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elkeOriginal Well said! 3y

Cathythoughts Nice review 👍 It did read like a thriller at times ... I really liked that about it. (edited) 3y

batsy You've summed it up perfectly! Perplexing & odd; not easily forgotten. 3y

Tamra Yes, like a thriller! 👌🏾 3y

LeahBergen Great review! You‘re so right; I read this book in big gulps. 3y

71 likes8 comments

elkeOriginal

Cecil | Elizabeth Eliot

pick

What did I just read?

For me, the 1st half and 2nd half were very different.
I thought I knew what was going on, then the 2nd half undid those thoughts. And just confused me.

I now have brain scramblies and just need a lie down on a chaise-longue to let this book either soak in or have the next breeze relieve me of all the contradictory + confused feelings I now have…

#FurrowedMiddlebrowClub
⬇️

elkeOriginal I need an Agatha-Christie-murder-mystery-character-gathering-wrap-up-in-the-library explanation. 😟 (edited) 3y

elkeOriginal @Ruthiella @Tamra @LeahBergen @erzascarletbookgasm @catebutler @rubyslippersreads @batsy @CarolynM @quietjenn @BookNAround @sarahbellum @Cathythoughts (edited) 3y

Tamra It was not what I was expecting! 😆 But I really enjoyed it and had to keep reading on hoping for a resolution. 3y

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quietjenn It was a doozy! 🤣 And I love your chaise lounge recovery imagery! 3y

elkeOriginal @Tamra I agree! I could not stop reading. I just wish I knew what the heck really happened. 3y

elkeOriginal @quietjenn A doozy, indeed. At least I don‘t regret it? 3y

LeahBergen 😆😆 Right? It was such an odd (but compelling) read! 3y

Ruthiella Yes, it really does throw the reader for loop! 😳 And we have to make up our own version for the bits that were not spelled out. 😅 3y

batsy Ahahaha! I'm with you on needing a Christie-esque wrap up 😆 3y

elkeOriginal @Ruthiella @LeahBergen It WILL stay with me - which is a compliment, I guess! 😉 3y

Cathythoughts Nice review! It‘s a strange one 👍😄 3y

35 likes11 comments

elkeOriginal

Cecil | Elizabeth Eliot

The letters. Anne said early on that the weird Cecil letters to his mother don‘t sound like him, they seem as if they have been dictated.
Then it seems Lady Guthrie published a selected collection of those letters…do we think SHE wrote them herself as a rewriting of his life? That is why they are weirdly consistent with that weird ‘own boy‘ closing?
Just a random thought!
Not finished so maybe something becomes clear regarding this too…
(Ch 9) ⬇️

elkeOriginal And OF COURSE what she selected corroborates what she says! SHE selected them! 3y

elkeOriginal #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub @Ruthiella @Tamra @LeahBergen @erzascarletbookgasm @catebutler @rubyslippersreads @batsy @CarolynM @quietjenn @BookNAround @sarahbellum @Cathythoughts 3y

CarolynM Ooh! I like that idea. Lady G was narcissistic enough to do it. 3y

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Cathythoughts I love this quote .. it captures the nebulous feel to the story (edited) 3y

batsy Oh gosh, yes... That's a disturbing possibility! 3y

quietjenn I definitely think she was judicious in the letters she included and we know she's not averse to doing that sort of thing. It would be keeping in what we've read of her, I think. 3y

LeahBergen I was wondering about that myself! 3y

23 likes7 comments

elkeOriginal

Cecil | Elizabeth Eliot

I feel like I took this line from the description too seriously because I honestly have huge doubts that anything Anne tells us is necessarily the reality between Cecil and his mother.

Admittedly, I am only halfway. BUT: so far everything is basically hearsay/speculations and Lady Guthrie has not actually been terrible on screen?

Don‘t throw 🍅 at me yet - just concerned she is an unreliable narrator who never shows SHE is a decent mother…

elkeOriginal #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub 3y

elkeOriginal @Ruthiella @Tamra @LeahBergen @erzascarletbookgasm @catebutler @rubyslippersreads @batsy @CarolynM @quietjenn @BookNAround @sarahbellum @Cathythoughts (edited) 3y

Ruthiella Interesting hypothesis! 🤔 3y

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CarolynM I have to admit I took Anne at face value, I didn't see anything to make me doubt her. But maybe this is the significance of the "face reflected in the glass" - maybe Anne is less reliable than I thought @LeahBergen 3y

Cathythoughts This is a very interesting view… I got the feeling Anne was a good mother , and that she seemed normal enough … hmmmmm !!! 🤔 3y

elkeOriginal @Cathythoughts I got suspicious from a few comments that seem to show a great distance between her and her daughter, and the boys have barely been mentioned…? Not done yet so will keep an eye out to see if I judged this too soon.. (edited) 3y

elkeOriginal @CarolynM There were also vibes with Anne, her husband, and his cousin thru his mother that seemed like they were all looking for negatives about Lady G. Maybe bad blood about her replacing the first wife, their loyalty was with her as husband Charles‘ mother so automatically thinking the worst of the young 2nd wife? 3y

batsy I felt this about halfway and considered the possibility that Anne was an unreliable narrator... Will be interesting to see how you feel when you get to the end. 3y

elkeOriginal @batsy Exactly! I wasn‘t sure if it was too early in my reading to mention but it was bugging me! Reading onward… 3y

quietjenn Definitely an interesting point to ponder! 3y

LeahBergen What @batsy said! 3y

23 likes11 comments

quietjenn

Cecil | Elizabeth Eliot

Well then! There are possessive mothers - in literature and real life - and then there's Lady Guthrie, who takes things to a whole other level! Definitely darker and a bit more unsettling than I was expecting, I found this somewhat ambiguous tale falling closer to tragedy than comedy and leaving me with lots to ponder.

And now to go read all of the posts from our #furrowedmiddlebrowclub, as I've been avoiding until I finished.

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LeahBergen Yes, quite unsettling! 3y

Ruthiella It was tragic story, I agree. But just as Helbert couldn‘t be prosecuted, I wonder could any of it been prevented? Clearly everyone knew something wasn‘t right but were powerless to stop it. (edited) 3y

Tamra The reader understands right off the bat something isn‘t right with both mother and son. There is a train wreck you know is coming and you can‘t avert your eyes! 3y

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quietjenn I either unconsciously absorbed some of your comments, or we all opted for some of the same language to discuss Cecil and his mother. 😆 Maybe both! 3y

quietjenn @Ruthiella I wonder, too. I think people tried - to the extent that they could - along the way, but if people don't want to hear the words your saying ... 🤷‍♀️ Definite sure of inevitability. 3y

rubyslippersreads Dark and unsettling are the perfect words. 3y

Tamra @quietjenn I think the novel has had the same impact on us all.😅😄 (edited) 3y

batsy @quietjenn @Tamra I love reading all of our reactions and seeing how similarly we were affected 😅 3y

Cathythoughts Very dark I indeed. Yes , Lady Guthrie takes the possessive mother to whole new level 😳 3y

61 likes1 stack add9 comments

Ruthiella

Cecil | Elizabeth Eliot

pick

Definitely a book that encourages discussion among #FurrowedMiddleBrowClub readers!

Set in late 19th century Britain, the story comes to the reader 2nd hand through Anne Guthrie as she narrates the unhealthy and twisted relationship between her mother-in-law, Lady Guthrie, and Lady Guthrie‘s young son, Cecil. Just how far will Lady Guthrie go to keep “her dearest boy” all her own? 😱

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Tamra 😲 exactly! 3y

Ruthiella @Tamra I think the ambiguity was really well done in this book. 3y

Tamra @Ruthiella I don‘t mind ambiguity at all! It gives the reader something to ponder and come back to for reread. 😁 3y

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LeahBergen @Ruthiella @Tamra I really enjoyed the ambiguity as well. It somehow made the story even more atmospheric. 3y

Ruthiella @LeahBergen I found it really quite tense to read...almost thriller like. 3y

LeahBergen It was! I found it hard to put down whenever I picked it up. 3y

LeahBergen Oh, and I believe you have our next pick? I can‘t wait! 👏👏 3y

Ruthiella @LeahBergen Yes, I‘m up next! I have two choices to put to the vote. 3y

LeahBergen I love when it‘s time for us to find out our next pick. 😆 3y

Ruthiella @LeahBergen I know! What do readers love almost as much as reading? Thinking about what to read next! 😆 3y

batsy @Ruthiella @Tamra @LeahBergen Sometimes I wanted more info, but I agree that the book's atmosphere was bolstered by the ambiguity. That sense of dread! It's a book that keeps pulling you in. 3y

Ruthiella At first I was wondering if Cecil was a “bad seed” and Lady Guthrie was protecting him from detection. But by the end, I became convinced she was just a narcissist and master manipulator. 3y

elkeOriginal @Ruthiella When does the next vote happen? Just want to make sure I have a copy ready to read instead of jumping in late like this time 🤦🏼‍♀️ 3y

Ruthiella @elkeOriginal I‘ll post it today or tomorrow! 😀 3y

Cathythoughts ‘Narcissist and master manipulator‘ beautifully put .. that‘s exactly LG 👍🏻👍🏻 3y

Ruthiella @Cathythoughts That‘s how I see her, though it‘s interesting that other readers have other theories. I like how the book gives enough room for speculation. 3y

52 likes16 comments

Cathythoughts

Cecil | Elizabeth Eliot

pick

I‘m lost , the subtler parts of this story went right over my head. I feel like I‘d need to reread the book to make some sense of it all. I will say that I enjoyed every bit of it and was glued to the pages. I‘m left with a creepy feeling though. ..strange story. . I will be thinking about this one .. there are clues that will take time to filter through my mind. Elizabeth Eliot is quite the character herself ! #FurrowedMiddleBrowClub

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Tamra Eliot definitely doesn‘t pander to the reader! That is why I liked the quote from Nealie who says she doesn‘t fully understand and perhaps she doesn‘t want to. 😯 3y

Cathythoughts @Tamra Yes! It‘s just such a strange feeling to be left with after a book 😳😬 3y

Tamra I was really expecting a revelation of LG having a more direct involvement in C‘s death! She didn‘t want anyone to have him and I have a suspicion she intended or planned or at least knew what was going to happen. What do you think? (edited) 3y

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Tamra @Cathythoughts yes, it leaves you full of doubt. That is the way to would be in real life without an omniscient narrator or crystal ball! 🔮 3y

Cathythoughts @Tamra I think that‘s very possible... she was a different woman after he died .. she didn‘t react in the ways they expected... gives me the shudders.. she wouldn‘t let him go even when he was dead 3y

Ruthiella @Cathythoughts @Tamra I thought too she might have purposely influenced events which led to his death along the lines “If I can‘t have him to myself, then nobody can”. 😱 3y

Tamra @Ruthiella it sure seemed to be suggested! 3y

LeahBergen @Cathythoughts @Tamra @Ruthiella I totally thought she was involved in his death, especially when she didn‘t want Thomas the butler to accompany him. When he turned out as less than a perfect son as an adult she did away with him, keeping his memory alive and reshaping it by writing that (bizarre!) book about him. 3y

LeahBergen @Tamra That Nealie quote is so telling! 3y

Tamra @LeahBergen yes! Lots of hinting. 3y

rubyslippersreads It‘s as though she preferred possessing a perfect memory of him (as shaped by herself), than her actual, living son. (edited) 3y

LeahBergen @rubyslippersreads Yes, exactly! 3y

CarolynM @LeahBergen Yes! If she couldn't control him he couldn't be allowed to go on. Her book was bizarre, but what happened to his? Was it just an excuse to get away from her or did she destroy it? 3y

CarolynM @Tamra I loved Nealie, she had such a great attitude to life. 3y

Tamra @CarolynM 😁 I was disappointed she didn‘t defy convention and marry Willie. But she‘s probably wiser for it. (edited) 3y

Tamra @CarolynM I can‘t recall if any other character ever confirmed there was an actual book, or did she manufacture that in her letters too? 3y

LeahBergen @CarolynM Oh, right! Wasn‘t there something mentioned between Anne and Nealie about this? That maybe she didn‘t like what the book had to say and got rid of it or maybe there never was a book? Another mystery! @Tamra (edited) 3y

CarolynM @Tamra Even better, she married him off to someone else who "made Willie an excellent wife" while he "remained as devoted to Nealie as ever before" I think the arrangement suited her perfectly! As to Cecil's book, I can't remember if anyone else saw it, or whether it was just Cecil claiming that they had. 3y

CarolynM @LeahBergen Right at the end Anne says it's not clear if it ever existed or if Lady G "finding it not to her liking, caused it to be destroyed" 3y

Tamra @CarolynM yes, she was perfectly happy with their “arrangement.” 😉 😄 3y

Tamra @CarolynM more ambiguity! 3y

Cathythoughts @CarolynM @Tamra @LeahBergen I loved Nealie too & I thought Willies marriage suited her perfectly. Cecil‘s book is another mystery , as you say Leah. And , the opening line of the book ‘ you must never believe anything a poltergeist tells you ‘ LG was ‘ out there ‘ and living in some strange world 3y

Cathythoughts @rubyslippersreads Yes ! Good point. Her perfect dear boy 3y

batsy @CarolynM @Tamra Nealie was one of my favourite characters, too. She kept me grounded as a reader, kind of highlighting the way certain things were just not on! 3y

batsy Nice review, Cathy! I was left with that creepy feeling, too. And was really intrigued by the fact that this might have been based on Eliot's own mother/their relationship. 3y

Cathythoughts @batsy Yes , I read that too about her own mother , and that fathers are mostly absent in her books , as was Cecils father too. Thanks X (edited) 3y

youneverarrived Great review! I do love a book that makes you think even after you‘ve finished it. 3y

elkeOriginal I am at 70% and just became so confused I need to lie on a chaise-longue to recover… 3y

elkeOriginal @LeahBergen Her reaction was so odd! Very suspicious… 3y

Cathythoughts @elkeOriginal Stop 😂 between the tomato & the chaise-longue you have me in stitches 😂😂 putting Anne up for questioning may get you the tomato 🍅🤣 watch out 😆 3y

elkeOriginal @Cathythoughts Send smelling salts instead of 🍅! I am starting to feel as crazy as these characters… 3y

Cathythoughts @elkeOriginal Smelling salts are on the way 👍🏻🤣.. good luck with the rest of the book ( I‘ll send LOTS of smelling salts … 3y

elkeOriginal @Cathythoughts Bless you, friend… 3y

erzascarletbookgasm I‘ve finally finished it, Cathy! Agree with you on the creepy feeling part. 3y

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LeahBergen

Cecil | Elizabeth Eliot

pick

This compelling portrait of malevolent motherhood, set in the late 19th century, was so much darker than I was expecting and kept me second guessing everything I read. The relationship between the domineering Lady Guthrie and “her own boy, Cecil” was so creepily affectionate and overbearing and made me wonder just how far she would go to keep him wholly to herself. How far DID she go, #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub? 😬

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, erzascarletbookgasm, catebutler, CarolynM, elkeOriginal, BookNAround, batsy, Tamra, sarahbellum, Cathythoughts, SamanthaMarie, Ruthiella

LeahBergen Okay… opinions, please! What did you take from the whole “The face reflected in the glass!” thing in Chapter 17? 🤔 3y

CarolynM I was waiting for that to be explained, but like so much else it was left hanging. Maybe it's just that Anne subconsciously recognised Lady G's malevolence from early on. 3y

elkeOriginal I think that cover says so much! Amazing. 3y

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Ruthiella Half way through! Hope to finish tomorrow so I can read all the spoilers!!! 😆 3y

batsy Malevolent motherhood! Yes. Nice review. A bit of a strange but very compelling book. 3y

batsy @CarolynM @LeahBergen I'm not sure what to make of it, either. I went to several extremes 😆 Was Anne able to sense something and unknowingly (at the time) picked up on it or was Lady Guthrie's forays into spiritualism paying off, so to speak? 👻 But how? I wanted an answer but also was happy not to know, if that makes sense ... It creeped me out, though. 3y

Cathythoughts Great review! I hope to finish soon too @Ruthiella so I can read spoilers too 3y

erzascarletbookgasm Echoing @Cathythoughts and @Ruthiella ! 😄 3y

Tamra @LeahBergen that was a weird scene that I expected would be addressed later. I don‘t know other than like @CarolynM notes, perhaps Anne is intuiting the depravity of LG‘s character. (edited) 3y

LeahBergen @CarolynM @batsy @Tamra Yes, I couldn‘t figure it out either and all your suggestions ran through my mind, too. I also thought for a moment that maybe she was actually and purposely hidden in the house while Cecil introduced his future bride to it? 😬 3y

LeahBergen @elkeOriginal I‘m quite taken by the cover! The image occurs very early on in the story. 😊 3y

LeahBergen @Ruthiella @Cathythoughts @erzascarletbookgasm I can‘t wait to hear what you all think! 3y

Tamra @LeahBergen oh that‘s just creepy & fitting! 3y

Tamra I was just thinking a prequel about LG‘s life would be fascinating - just how did she get to be so awful? There‘s a story there! 🙃 3y

LeahBergen @Tamra OMG. That‘s brilliant and I want it RIGHT NOW. 😆😆 3y

batsy @LeahBergen Oh yes! It could be a mirror scene to the one where young Cecil was hiding in the mother's room the first time Anne meets him. 3y

LeahBergen @batsy Eek! That‘s true. I hadn‘t thought of that! 3y

erzascarletbookgasm @LeahBergen @CarolynM @batsy I was surprised when LG said there never was a portrait in the room. I thought perhaps Anne was an unreliable narrator after all, and that could change the whole direction of where the story was going. But after finishing the book, I agree with Carolyn about it being Anne‘s subconscious, perhaps. So many things unexplained! (edited) 3y

erzascarletbookgasm Another thing unexplained, did Cecil actually write a book? Only LG said he did 🤔. Why was LG so buddy buddy with Mademoiselle Laurent? 🤔🤔 (edited) 3y

LeahBergen @erzascarletbookgasm I‘m completely baffled as to why LG became so close to Mlle Laurent, other than the fact that she had to take over and control anything to do with Cecil‘s life. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 3y

elkeOriginal @LeahBergen @erzascarletbookgasm It was SO weird how she befriended Cecil‘s exes - Nealie said that LG ‘only liked them once Cecil was done with them‘. I have no clue why or what it means. She sure ruined Julie‘s life thoroughly and completely. 3y

LeahBergen @elkeOriginal Yes! Poor Julie. 3y

84 likes22 comments

Tamra

Cecil | Elizabeth Eliot

pick

Welp! 😳 That was not the romp I was expecting, much better in fact. The period setting & penetrating examination of character and motivation within upper class circles reminds me of Wharton. 💜

I‘m surprised with the ending!

#FurrowedMiddleBrowClub
@Ruthiella @batsy @LeahBergen @Cathythoughts @CarolynM @erzascarletbookgasm @quietjenn @rubyslippersreads @catebutler @BookNAround @elkeOriginal @sarahbellum @SamanthaMarie

Tamra Cecil/Eliot is making good on the promise that we‘ll never really know. 3y

Tamra If I can‘t have him, nobody will. 😨 3y

CarolynM I thought of Wharton when Julie was reported to be "in America acting as a kind of lady-in-waiting and general arbiter of English taste to a rich family from Chicago". Very House of Mirth. 3y

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LeahBergen @Tamra Your review is just how I felt, too! I quite enjoyed the grimness. 😆 3y

LeahBergen @CarolynM Ah, that‘s cool! I love Wharton and House of Mirth is one I still need to read. 3y

batsy I like that you mention Wharton! I did get those vibes in the way that Eliot has a sharp eye for the ways in which Lady Guthrie could manipulate a situation. 3y

Cathythoughts Great review! I‘m really enjoyed this one 👍 3y

Tamra @batsy manipulation - prefect descriptor! Wharton perfected that character type. 3y

Tamra @CarolynM ahh yes! 3y

Tamra @LeahBergen I‘m not sure what that says about us!? 😜 3y

LeahBergen @Tamra 😆😆 3y

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CarolynM

Cecil | Elizabeth Eliot

pick

There's helicopter parenting and then there's Lady Guthrie! Poor Cecil never really had a chance. But what a strange and tangled relationship it was between them. A cautionary tale for doting mothers everywhere!
#FurrowedMiddlebrowClub
@LeahBergen @Cathythoughts @batsy @Ruthiella @erzascarletbookgasm @Tamra @quietjenn @rubyslippersreads @catebutler @BookNAround @elkeOriginal @sarahbellum @SamanthaMarie

erzascarletbookgasm I‘m at the part where the engagement keeps getting called off and on, all because of her. 😏How frustrating for the Marsdens! Poor Cecil too! 3y

Tamra 😂 yes. She‘s an example alright! 3y

batsy It went a few levels up helicopter parenting for sure 😂 3y

LeahBergen Poor Cecil, indeed. Yikes! 3y

Cathythoughts Lady Guthrie is really something 😳 looking forward to finishing today 🤞 3y

77 likes5 comments

batsy

Cecil | Elizabeth Eliot

pick

It's ironic that the cover blurb states that Elizabeth Eliot is a humorist of the first order, because I found this strange, compelling, & dark. It's my first time reading her & it's peppered with dry British wit, but the framing of the story & the way it casts an eye back reminded me at times of Willa Cather. There's an elusive mystery at the heart of the story about the relationship between Cecil & his mother that raises uncomfortable questions.

batsy There were times when I wondered if the story was too elusive, with too few details made known, but then I realised it would have shifted the mood of the story if more was revealed. It could have become a tawdry tell-all. But by using a narrator with a limited perspective observing from the outside, it's a novel of shadows & dark corridors that is all the more disturbing because of what it suggests about this kind of almost predatory mothering. 3y

batsy #furrowedmiddlebrowclub @CarolynM @Cathythoughts @erzascarletbookgasm @LeahBergen @quietjenn @rubyslippersreads @Ruthiella @Tamra @catebutler @elkeOriginal @SamanthaMarie @sarahbellum 3y

erzascarletbookgasm I‘m only at the first half of the book, and indeed, things are all very subtle, makes me wonder, what‘s really LG‘s motives are. 3y

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batsy @erzascarletbookgasm Yes! I felt the same. Can't wait to hear your thoughts when you get to the end. 3y

Ruthiella I‘m hoping to get to this this weekend, but the dark undertones don‘t surprise me if Mrs. Martell is anything to go on. It had its comedic elements, but it was also quite dark too. (edited) 3y

Tamra Definitely dark! I‘m enjoying it. 3y

batsy @Ruthiella I need to read that! I remember that most of your reviews were positive. And it sounds like the kind of character she's good at depicting, if this one is anything to go by. 3y

batsy @Tamra Yes, it was really absorbing! 3y

quietjenn I'm only through a few chapters, but all the comments about it are definitely intriguing me! Hopefully this weekend. 3y

rubyslippersreads Much darker than I expected. 3y

rubyslippersreads @batsy @Tamra Absorbing is exactly the right word. 3y

LeahBergen Marvellous review! I‘ve also read Alice and Mrs. Martell and both of those definitely had dark humour; this one did NOT. I really enjoyed it for what it was, though. 3y

Cathythoughts Great review!! I‘ve been busy being a Granny all week , but I really hope to finish this off this weekend. It‘s dark, I love it though 3y

CarolynM Fabulous review, as always. Predatory mothering indeed! 3y

batsy @quietjenn Can't wait to hear your thoughts! 3y

batsy @rubyslippersreads Yep, I was expecting a fluffier read (of sorts :) 3y

batsy @LeahBergen Thank you! I'm really interested to read both those books. 3y

batsy @Cathythoughts Thanks, Cathy! And the Granny-ing sounds absolutely lovely; books can wait for a bit 😁💕 3y

batsy @CarolynM Thank you! 🙂 3y

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CarolynM

Cecil | Elizabeth Eliot

Ok, I'm very confused. Can anybody who has read chapter 8 enlighten me? See spoiler in comments.
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CarolynM Why can't Cecil have children? I thought maybe mumps, but then they seem to hinting about VD. Did they think that always made you infertile? Or is this about whether he should risk giving it to his wife? Anyway, how do they know he's got it? Surely even Cecil wouldn't tell his mother that? 3y

CarolynM And why would it have been ok for him to marry her earlier? Why are they assuming he wasn't "amusing himself" before he met Lydia? 3y

CarolynM Oh boy! Now it seems to be suggesting Cecil's genitals have been removed! Was that a Victorian "cure" for VD? 3y

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Ruthiella I‘m so behind in reading. ☹️ I can‘t help, unfortunately. 3y

LeahBergen I assumed that it was implying he had syphilis, which leads to infertility when untreated. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 3y

batsy I've been reading at night, with a lot of other books going on, so it's entirely possible a lot flew over my head 😆 I assumed that infertility was likely from contracting smallpox. Although as @LeahBergen said it could be that, too. But then we're left not quite knowing whether the infertility was an actual issue, right? So far, at least. 3y

CarolynM @LeahBergen It would have to be pretty advanced for infertility wouldn't it? And what of the reference to a "devilish thing" being "done"? Also, C seems sure Anne & Charlie will never know if it's true or not, but if it's syphilis they likely will know because he'll die or go mad or both. I hate all this implied stuff! I want yo know what they actually mean?? 3y

CarolynM @batsy is that a common result if small pox? Also, what I said to Leah. What was "done"? Maybe small pox can damage the genitals? I'd google it, but goodness knows what that would lead me into??? 3y

batsy @CarolynM For some reason, I have it in my head that smallpox does cause infertility (and possible birth problems for women), but I'm not entirely sure. I will also google it when I'm feeling brave 😂 3y

Tamra @batsy that‘s how I understood it. 3y

julesG Off topic: Your Christmas card arrived this morning. Thank you so much. 😘 3y

LeahBergen Eek! I‘m afraid to Google “smallpox genitals” 🤣🤣 I had assumed it wasn‘t smallpox because it came across as something‘s so shameful? I dunno. And wasn‘t he already with his girlfriend when he contracted smallpox? It wouldn‘t be a surprise to her then. It‘s very vague, isn‘t it?? (edited) 3y

CarolynM @julesG I got your card too, thank you 😘 Sorry you've found yourself in this particular discussion 😆 3y

CarolynM @LeahBergen @batsy @Tamra And the issue wasn't even mentioned when he got engaged again?🤔😳🤯 3y

Tamra @CarolynM 🤔 I read on today a bit and now it‘s more vague!? 3y

Cathythoughts Ivdd we just read chapter 8 & 9 and I‘m none the wiser …. Vague 😳and strange ….. 3y

Cathythoughts Also Carolyn your Christmas card arrived !! Thankyou X 😘 3y

CarolynM A few pages before the end we finally get an answer! @Ruthiella @LeahBergen @batsy @Tamra @Cathythoughts 3y

Ruthiella Just finished chapter one last night! Now I am SUPER INTRIGUED to get to chapter eight! 😆 3y

CarolynM @Cathythoughts Glad it finally arrived, hope the book isn't far away😘 3y

elkeOriginal @LeahBergen That is exactly what I was thinking - his smallpox was not a secret nor would it be ‘shameful‘. I clearly must read on though…only halfway… 3y

elkeOriginal @CarolynM What did you think that answer was? I just finished and am baffled… 3y

CarolynM @elkeOriginal 6 pages from the end (in my ebook) "she had let it be known...that he was suffering from a shameful disease". I'm still not clear why this meant he couldn't have children (in the short term, anyway) but st least this makes the nature of the claim a lot more specific than it was initially. 3y

elkeOriginal @CarolynM It seemed like Cecil hinted to Anne that this whole disease/infertility accusation may not even be true? Such a baffling book! 3y

44 likes24 comments

Tamra

Cecil | Elizabeth Eliot

Ha! So true. Imagine what Eliot would have to say about weddings today! 😅 #FurrowedMiddleBrowClub

CarolynM Just read this passage too🙂 3y

53 likes1 comment

Cathythoughts

Cecil | Elizabeth Eliot

I‘m on page 94. I‘m really enjoying this one ....only what in the world is going on with Cecil and his mother ?! It‘s all very unsettling #FurrowedMiddleBrowClub
I hope I‘ve tagged everyone

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, erzascarletbookgasm, catebutler, CarolynM, LeahBergen, elkeOriginal, BookNAround, batsy, Tamra, sarahbellum, SamanthaMarie, Ruthiella

Tamra Yes, their relationship has a creepy factor! 3y

batsy That's the exact page I've paused at! And indeed, it's all a bit ominous at the moment. I'm curious about where this goes... 3y

elkeOriginal Excited for this but still waiting for it to arrive! 😟 3y

See All 11 Comments

Cathythoughts @Tamra It does ! 3y

Cathythoughts @batsy I‘m interested to see too ... strange at the moment 3y

Cathythoughts @elkeOriginal It‘s sure to arrive soon 🤞😄 look forward to your thoughts when you get reading ❤️ 3y

LeahBergen @elkeOriginal It reads surprisingly quickly so you‘ll catch up in no time. 😊 3y

LeahBergen Yes! Their relationship is a tad … unhealthy? 😆 3y

catebutler I keep getting Hyacinth Bucket and her son Sheridan vibes from this relationship. 😂😂😂 3y

Cathythoughts @LeahBergen It does read quickly! I must get back to it today 👍 3y

Cathythoughts @catebutler Yes ! Hyacinth vibes... only Hyacinth seems quite innocent compared to Lady Guthrie 😁 (edited) 3y

64 likes11 comments

LeahBergen

Cecil | Elizabeth Eliot

Okay, #FurrowedMiddlebrowClub, I‘m heading in (and just LOOK at my crazy Friday night 😉)!

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, erzascarletbookgasm, catebutler, CarolynM, elkeOriginal, BookNAround, batsy, Tamra, sarahbellum, Cathythoughts, SamanthaMarie, Ruthiella

CarolynM I'm 3 chapters in and enjoying it although I'm wondering where it's going. Enjoy your Friday night. Cheers🍷 3y

LeahBergen Thanks! 🍷 And yes, I felt that way when I was reading another of her novels,

Alice

sarahbellum I love your coaster! 😍 3y

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catebutler Your edition is fabulous!! I started last night and it quickly sucked me in. Your Friday night sounds like my Friday night - perfection. ☺️ (edited) 3y

batsy I hope to start today. That cover is perfect! 3y

Tamra It‘s great! 😊 3y

rubyslippersreads I‘m about a third of the way through and enjoying it. 💙 this cover! 3y

Ruthiella I‘ve only read the first paragraph! Enjoy! 📚 🍷 😃 3y

Cathythoughts I love your cover! I‘m about 40 pages in and really enjoying 📚🍷👌 3y

erzascarletbookgasm I will start soon. 👌 Why, you always have the best editions! 😍 3y

shawnmooney Ooooh. Can‘t wait to hear what do you think of this! 😍 3y

LeahBergen @sarahbellum 😆 Thank you! 3y

LeahBergen @catebutler Thanks! Yes, it very quickly sucked me in, as well! 3y

LeahBergen @batsy The cover image is actually a part of the plot from the first few pages, I think. Weird! 3y

LeahBergen @Tamra I‘m thoroughly enjoying it! 3y

LeahBergen @rubyslippersreads Cecil‘s full highland garb! 😆 3y

LeahBergen @Ruthiella I actually really liked the first SENTENCE . 😆 3y

LeahBergen @Cathythoughts I like the colours on the cover. 😊 3y

LeahBergen @erzascarletbookgasm Haha! Thanks. 😘 3y

LeahBergen @shawnmooney I‘m loving it but you didn‘t like her first novel, Alice, and I did so…. 😆 3y

kspenmoll I live the covers of all your vintage books! 3y

87 likes1 stack add21 comments

Tamra

Cecil | Elizabeth Eliot

I love this kind of dry wit! 😏 #furrowedmiddlebrowclub

Cathythoughts Me too ! I‘m ‘ enjoying‘ Lady Guthrie 3y

Tamra @Cathythoughts yes! I think she‘s going to give the story some color. 3y

Suet624 Hahahaha 3y

56 likes3 comments

Tamra

Cecil | Elizabeth Eliot

Thank you for the reminder! @Ruthiella I‘ll kick off the morning with a few minutes of Cecil.

Cathythoughts I just kicked off my afternoon with some Cecil 👍👍 I think it‘s good already! 3y

Ruthiella Beautiful picture! ❤️ 3y

LeahBergen Yay! 👏🏻👏🏻 3y

58 likes3 comments

Ruthiella

Cecil | Elizabeth Eliot

Happy New Year reading friends! This is a reminder that our #FurrowedMiddleBrowClub pick for January 2022 is upon us! Plan to read and then discuss around mid-month, if this works for you.

I‘m tagging everyone I think is interested in reading along. Please let me know if you want to be removed from the group tag OR if you are not tagged and want to be! 😊

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, erzascarletbookgasm, catebutler, CarolynM, LeahBergen, elkeOriginal, BookNAround, batsy, Tamra, sarahbellum, Cathythoughts, SamanthaMarie

catebutler I‘m so excited for this! And my copy just arrived in the post, so I‘m ready to start. 🤗 3y

Ruthiella @catebutler Perfect timing! 😃 3y

LeahBergen Awesome. Thanks for posting! 👍 3y

See All 20 Comments

Ruthiella @LeahBergen No problem! 😊 3y

LeahBergen Oops, @erzascarletbookgasm was missed in the tag. 😃 3y

Ruthiella @LeahBergen Arggh! I knew I messed up somewhere! Thanks! 3y

batsy Thank you for the reminder! 3y

Ruthiella @batsy You‘re welcome! 😀 3y

LeahBergen I seem to always miss tagging someone! 😆 3y

CarolynM Thanks Ruth. Looking forward to it 🙂 3y

Cathythoughts Thanks ! I was only looking at the book yesterday and thinking I must put it in my “spot” so I‘ll have it ready to read very soon 👍❤️ (edited) 3y

quietjenn Thanks! Should be a good time! 3y

Ruthiella @quietjenn @CarolynM @Cathythoughts It‘s always a great time reading along with you all! 3y

erzascarletbookgasm Thanks 👌 3y

Tamra Thank you! 3y

Cathythoughts Thankyou 😘 I just started Cecil....it‘s off to a flying start 👍😁 3y

elkeOriginal I‘m in! Just waiting for my copy to arrive… 3y

Ruthiella @erzascarletbookgasm You are welcome! 😃 3y

Ruthiella @Tamra No problem! 😀 3y

Ruthiella @elkeOriginal Hope it arrives soon! 🤞😀 3y

55 likes1 stack add20 comments

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