Emmeline | Litsy

Emmeline | Judith Rossner

Catching up on last month‘s #PersephoneClub book. I‘m fascinated by stories of the Lowell Mill girls, but this one is particularly bleak. It took me a long time to finish because my feelings of dread kept growing stronger and stronger, as did my anger at most of the characters. Poor Emmeline never had a chance.

rubyslippersreads @quietjenn @Caryl @sisilia @CarolynM @daena @LeahBergen @elkeOriginal @Gissy @Aimeesue @Tamra @andrew61 @Cathythoughts @Bookbuyingaddict @julieclair @willaful 2mo

LeahBergen Poor Emmeline, indeed. 😬 2mo

quietjenn I am very behind, but already not expecting a happy ending ... 2mo

See All 8 Comments

CarolynM So much to be angry about in this book! 2mo

Cathythoughts Great review. Tough book , Yes, a lot of feelings of dread. 2mo

Bookbuyingaddict Great 👍 review & totally agree , poor emmeline beauty was a curse all she craved was friendship & love ❤️ the women were jealous and awful to her whilst the men lusted or treated her as a pawn 😩certainly no sisterhood 👯‍♀️in this book ! Glad I read it though thank you 🙏 Leah x x x. X 1mo

rubyslippersreads @Bookbuyingaddict Even Matthew (before anyone knew who he really was) could be possessive and controlling. 1mo

rubyslippersreads @CarolynM @Cathythoughts Yes. Hard to find many likable characters. 1mo

59 likes1 stack add8 comments

Bookbuyingaddict

Emmeline | Judith Rossner

pick

Oh emmeline! I Had a discussion in the pub recently about how some people do genuinely seem to be born with no good luck or good fortune at all and seem to attract one disaster after another & so it is with emmeline. One of the most depressing books iv ever read because you just know what disaster is going to befall the beautiful but naive emmeline. It js a pacey page turner but I‘d never have read it if it wasn‘t my Persephone bookclub pick.

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, Caryl, sisilia, Tamara, CarolynM, daena, LeahBergen, elkeOriginal, Gissy, Aimeesue, andrew61, Cathythoughts, dabbe, julieclair, willaful

LeahBergen It was certainly a page turner for being so bleak, wasn‘t it? 2mo

CarolynM I wouldn‘t have read it without #PersephoneClub either. I‘m so glad I did! 2mo

Bookbuyingaddict @LeahBergen @CarolynM Absolutely 👍loved it and it took me by surprise 😮 who could have guessed that ending ! I sat up in bed with my new Christmas 🎄 gift 🎁 reading 📖 light to finish it , raced through it thank you 🙏 for choosing it 😌it‘s a shame our reviews are restricted to 451characters you can‘t say it all in that ! Happy NYE x x x 2mo

38 likes3 comments

andrew61

Emmeline | Judith Rossner

pick

What a compelling but sad story about a child (13) whose poverty striken family, send Emmeline to work in the hazardous cotton Mills on New Hampshire. The subsequent events find her then moving away from the area back to her family, but again, fate deals her a terrible hand. Based on a true story, very readable
@quietjenn @Tamra @CarolynM @sisilia @Caryl @daena @elkeOriginal @Gissy @Aimeesue @Bookbuyingaddict @julieclair @willaful #persephoneclub

andrew61 A few spoiler comments. I was shouting as I read abt Maguire's seduction of Emmeline,an innocent 13 year old, who only wanted a friend rather than a predator. Then ostracised by her community! Such a judgemental society. Hannah, then her saviour , seems to befriend her but rips her child from Emmeline. Finally, what to say abt Matthew, I am still reeling when I thought happiness had finally arrived. Wish we were all sat around a table to discuss. 2mo

Tamra @andrew61 yes, I wish we could discuss live! Matthew - I really didn‘t expect him to disappear completely. 😒 When I did some Googling, it does appear the real Emmeline was very much alone in the later years of her life. Even her son was absent. 2mo

andrew61 @Tamra I found the relationship with her younger sister interesting, and it was sad that her family effectively abandoned her. It would have been curious to know what Matthew did next. 2mo

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Tamra @andrew61 I was left wondering as well. 2mo

Cathythoughts Great review. I wish we could discuss too. Maybe we‘ll get a zoom going someday … 2mo

LeahBergen I was practically shouting, too! We would‘ve had such a loud and indignant, in-person book club 😆😆 2mo

dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 2mo

CarolynM Great review. There was so much that made me angry and the victim blaming was infuriating. 2mo

38 likes8 comments

CarolynM

Emmeline | Judith Rossner

pick

#PersephoneClub

OMG! Speechless! Off to read all those spoiler comments in the other reviews now.

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, Caryl, sisilia, daena, LeahBergen, elkeOriginal, Gissy, Aimeesue, Tamra, andrew61, Cathythoughts, Bookbuyingaddict, julieclair, willaful

TrishB That‘s a great reading match 😁 2mo

Bookbuyingaddict Haven‘t started it yet but will do after my festive reads and over the holidays 👍😍💝 2mo

Crazeedi Thanks for my card Carolyn, one is coming your way! Merry Christmas and happy new year ❤️ 2mo

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Tamra I‘m glad you finished! 😬 It‘s hard to stop when you get started. (edited) 2mo

Cathythoughts Speechless is right! What a story. 2mo

LeahBergen That‘s just how I felt when I finished it!! 😮 2mo

julieclair Can‘t wait to read this!!! 2mo

Ruthiella You guys are making me want to drop everything and get a copy of this book! 😂 2mo

CarolynM @Ruthiella Do it! 2mo

CarolynM @Crazeedi You‘re very welcome😘 Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to you too🎄 2mo

Read-n-Bloom Really like your bookmark! 2mo

CarolynM @Read-n-Bloom I can‘t take any credit. Persephone books from the Persephone Bookshop come with a bookmark that matches their individual end papers which are usually inspired by the book. This book is about a girl sent to work in a cotton mill in the 1850s. 2mo

Read-n-Bloom @CarolynM That is so 🆒! 2mo

61 likes1 stack add13 comments

Tamra

Emmeline | Judith Rossner

pick

A morality tale Rossner tells in riveting fashion! Loved it even more after watching this documentary. Highly recommend as a follow-up. https://youtu.be/IRN91TeXAYE?si=L5r0urNjlonFkqvH

⚠️Spoiler Warning!!! Do NOT watch the film unless you want to know the story before reading the book.

#PersephoneClub

Tamra I gasped and woke up my husband to tell him this is mash up of Lolita & Oedipus! 😳 Whether or not it‘s actually true, the very fact the villagers shunned her for believing both “sins” as true makes it a very sad tale. Women always bearing the brunt of social punishment for any appearance of impropriety. 2mo

LeahBergen Wasn‘t it crazy?? That‘s why I couldn‘t say too much in my review of it on here when I was done. 😂 2mo

LeahBergen And I‘m loving your “mill girl” themed photo! ❤️ 2mo

See All 12 Comments

Tamra @LeahBergen 😉 2mo

Vansa This sounds amazing, thanks for recommending 2mo

CarolynM I‘m about 3/4 of the way through. Can‘t wait to read all the spoiler comments! 2mo

Cathythoughts Great photo ❤️ Thankyou for that link. 2mo

Cathythoughts @Tamra @LeahBergen Lolita & Oedipus ! Yes that‘s it. Em really went through the mill ( pun not intended) from the time she was so young and left home. That poor girl 💔 2mo

CarolynM I was completely shocked by that twist too. It is horrifying to me that she was the “sinner” when she was the victim in both cases, firstly of a predator, then of her aunt the child stealer. And before that the victim of her family, sending her into a foreign, adult environment at such a young age with so little knowledge. 2mo

Tamra @Cathythoughts think of how many girls. 😢 2mo

Tamra @CarolynM good point about victimizing the victim. Never ends - still happening. 😑 2mo

Tamra @Vansa I think you‘ll like it - reads like a page turning thriller! 🥹 2mo

47 likes12 comments

Cathythoughts

Emmeline | Judith Rossner

pick

Emmeline , a great story. Looking forward to seeing what everyone thinks. It‘s a winner for me. I couldn‘t put it down. Now for a mince pie @andrew61 #PeresphoneClub

Tamra Cozy pic! ☺️ I started and it hooked me right away. I had forgotten it was based on a true story. 2mo

Cathythoughts @Tamra Oh ! I didn‘t realize it was based on a true story 👍🏻 2mo

Tamra @Cathythoughts there is a little note on the backside of the title page. 2mo

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Cathythoughts @Tamra Oh yes I see it now. Oh dear ❤️. I never saw that earlier. 2mo

Tamra @Cathythoughts well, it is little. 🧐 2mo

Cathythoughts @Tamra I‘ll be looking forward to what you think of it all. 2mo

LeahBergen Look at that mince pie! ❤️ And as we discussed on your other post, the first half was a bit better but still an all around pick. 👍 2mo

LeahBergen @Tamra Yes, I ended up Googling the history/ pseudo history when I finished. Wait until you‘re done the book to do that (unless you already have 😆)! (edited) 2mo

Cathythoughts @LeahBergen An absolute all round pick 👍🏻 loved it. I‘m averaging 1 to 2 mince pies per day 😂 2mo

LeahBergen You‘re really restraining yourself! 😆 2mo

Cathythoughts @LeahBergen 😂 .. then there‘s the cream to smother it with. 2mo

Tamra @LeahBergen no I haven‘t and I won‘t! 😅😆 2mo

Tamra @LeahBergen 😂 2mo

andrew61 You deserve that Cathy after such an emotionally draining story. Looks very nice. 2mo

AnnCrystal 😋👍💝. 2mo

CarolynM Just about to start😊 2mo

Tamra @Cathythoughts @LeahBergen I‘m halfway thru. 😳🫣🫢 2mo

LeahBergen @Tamra Eek! 😬 2mo

Cathythoughts @Tamra 😳😳😳 2mo

75 likes19 comments

Cathythoughts

Emmeline | Judith Rossner

Cosying up with Emmeline. I‘m at the halfway point … and I can‘t put it down!! #PersephoneClub

Tamra Oooooo, yay! Glad to know it‘s that good. Now that I‘ve finished Belle I can start Emmeline today. 😃 (edited) 2mo

Cathythoughts @Tamra It‘s soooo good 👍🏻❤️ 2mo

LeahBergen I couldn‘t put it down either! 2mo

See All 10 Comments

BarbaraBB This sounds so good! 2mo

Cathythoughts @LeahBergen Emmeline !!!!! Where is it all going ! (edited) 2mo

Cathythoughts @BarbaraBB It is 👍🏻 2mo

andrew61 I finished it last night Cathy. The first half was remarkable and there is so much to say. Won't give anything away about the rest but 'enjoyed' it. 2mo

Cathythoughts @andrew61 Just finished, yes I agree first half was brilliant.. a lot happens in this story. I enjoyed second half, but not as much as first half. (edited) 2mo

LeahBergen @andrew61 @Cathythoughts I felt exactly the same way! I was really caught up in the first half. 2mo

rubyslippersreads I agree that the first half was better. 2mo

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LeahBergen

Emmeline | Judith Rossner

pick

Oh, Emmeline. 😬

I can‘t say much else right now but I can hardly wait to discuss this with you all!

#PersephoneClub

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, Caryl, sisilia, CarolynM, daena, LeahBergen, elkeOriginal, Gissy, Aimeesue, Tamra, andrew61, Cathythoughts, Bookbuyingaddict, julieclair, willaful

Tamra I have to get started! I‘ve been preoccupied by Belle Greene. 😬 It‘s up next! 2mo

LeahBergen @Tamra Oh, good. I need to discuss it with someone! 😂😂 2mo

elkeOriginal Your shelves kill me every time 😵😉 2mo

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LeahBergen @elkeOriginal I may have a problem 😆 2mo

Suet624 This photo is so abundant. 2mo

elkeOriginal A beautiful problem 💕 2mo

Cathythoughts I need to get going with Emmeline, I should have time this weekend ❤️ 2mo

LeahBergen @Suet624 I like that word choice! 😊 2mo

LeahBergen @elkeOriginal 😘 2mo

LeahBergen @Cathythoughts Yay! 👏 2mo

CarolynM Hoping to get started soon. 2mo

LeahBergen @CarolynM Good. I really need some input. 😂 2mo

andrew61 Exactly half way through Leah after a very disturbing chapter. All I can say, head in hands, is dear oh dear oh dear. 2mo

LeahBergen @andrew61 Right?? 2mo

Cathythoughts @LeahBergen Just finished it Leah , I did see that ending coming 😳.. It was that first moment of meeting when she looked into his eyes, I thought she recognised something. Then his age , his boyishness, , I got suspicious… great book 2mo

LeahBergen @Cathythoughts I suspected, too, and thought, “Noooo, it is NOT going there…” Haha!! 2mo

Tamra I did not see the end coming! 🥹 I went down the rabbit hole and found the circa 1970s documentary. Based on the maker‘s description, it appears he brought the story & Nettie Mitchell to Rossner‘s attention. Applause to Nettie for illuminating the shame of shunning. @Cathythoughts 2mo

LeahBergen @Tamra @Cathythoughts I read another article by someone who did a deep dive into the genealogy and the dates and ages of her husbands don‘t match up. It seems like the whole story has had a bit of “local folklore” added to it over the years. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 2mo

Tamra @LeahBergen I got the same impression from the film, i.e. folklore. (edited) 2mo

LeahBergen @Tamra Interesting! I‘m definitely going to watch it (you know… after my wrapping, baking, etc 😂). 2mo

Tamra @LeahBergen 😅 Indeed! We could always use an extra week. 2mo

Cathythoughts @Tamra @LeahBergen I read it as fiction , only after finding out it was true. It seemed a little far fetched , but truth is stranger than fiction. I took from it the danger and sadness of secrets , so many secrets ( shame ) buried over time wounded and festering. I wondered about the mother too , what happened to her and her relationship with Emmeline over the years. I liked the first half where Em‘s character had time to be explored. 2mo

Cathythoughts I must look up the film 👍🏻 @LeahBergen @Tamra 2mo

Cathythoughts @LeahBergen @Tamra Stop ! There‘s some work in Christmas 😂 I‘m feeling like super woman 😂 so much to get done. 2mo

Tamra @Cathythoughts I suspect it has essences of truth in it. I agree with you, the point is secrecy, shaming, social norms, poverty, patriarchy, etc. So interesting Mrs. Bass had her own similar secret, who better to be suspicious & judgmental, even though she did give warning? But how could it not be lost on a barely teen? 2mo

Tamra @Cathythoughts🦸‍♀️ 2mo

LeahBergen @Tamra @Cathythoughts I definitely think there must be a bit of truth to it somewhere, just as you say. And I was wondering about the apathy of the mother, too. A fascinating read! 2mo

Tamra @LeahBergen @cathythoughts the documentary highlights how desperate impoverished families were. I‘m thinking some of the apathy would stem from that; a woman/mother in those circumstances had to be dog tired and perhaps felt hopeless & helpless. However later in the story I got the impression the mother suffered from mental illness or dementia? (edited) 2mo

LeahBergen @Tamra That‘s true. It‘s like she gave up and just couldn‘t handle or face anything more in her life. And yes, I think she definitely had some sort of mental illness/dementia going on at the end. And wasn‘t that sister a nasty piece of work? 😆 2mo

Tamra @LeahBergen good lord yes! I wanted to slap her. 😜 2mo

Cathythoughts @LeahBergen @Tamra Yes , I agree that the mother had some form of mental illness, she seemed to shut down. 2mo

CarolynM @Cathythoughts @Tamra I‘ve just finished & I‘m so glad I can talk to you about it, now that I‘ve recovered the power of speech. There is so much to be outraged about, not least the “morality” that kept poor Emmeline so ignorant she was completely vulnerable to a predator & had no hope of understanding the “warnings”. And the victim blaming from start to finish! It is horrible to think that any of it could be true, but we know that it could. 😭😤🤬 (edited) 2mo

Tamra @CarolynM @Cathythoughts @LeahBergen agreed - so much fault to go around! I find the shunning without regard to the truths of the matter particularly disturbing (to the degree it occurred to the real Em). Reminds me of The Scarlet Letter as well. Humanity seems to have a penchant for shunning/ghosting/shaming/canceling, which is so effective in coercing conformity to norms since we‘re a social co-dependent species. 2mo

LeahBergen @CarolynM @Tamra @Cathythoughts Right?? I was waiting impatiently for others to finish it!! 😆 It was just infuriating. All of her “sins” were completely unintentional and yet her family treated her as if she was evil to the core and out to specifically humiliate them. Gah!! 2mo

rubyslippersreads @Cathythoughts @LeahBergen The description of Matthew as “tall and broad-shouldered” without her being able to see his face, somehow made me think of Mr. Maguire. 2mo

rubyslippersreads @LeahBergen @CarolynM @Tamra @Cathythoughts it seemed as though anyone who should have protected her preyed on her instead. 2mo

Tamra @rubyslippersreads so true. There were no safeguards. 😞 2mo

LeahBergen @rubyslippersreads Oh, my God. Right??? And did you figure out if you‘d read this one before? 😆 2mo

rubyslippersreads @LeahBergen If I did, I don‘t remember anything about it. (It‘s hard to imagine I‘d forget the “twist.”) 2mo

LeahBergen @rubyslippersreads I know! But I also know I read this book in the ‘80s. How did I forget that, too?? 2mo

rubyslippersreads @LeahBergen It was so horrific , we blocked it out. 😏 1mo

LeahBergen @rubyslippersreads I think so! 😆 1mo

54 likes42 comments

Bookbuyingaddict

Emmeline | Judith Rossner

#persephoneclub mine arrived today sorry Iv cheated and got a second hand copy rather than a Persephone - happy reading 📖 😀

LeahBergen That‘s a cool old edition! 2mo

Cathythoughts Great cover ❤️ 2mo

28 likes2 comments

LeahBergen

Emmeline | Judith Rossner

I‘m really enjoying the beginning of this book, #PersephoneClub people!

I Googled some images to see what Lowell looked like as a mill town and look … a little doffer. So young! 💔

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, Caryl, sisilia, CarolynM, daena, LeahBergen, elkeOriginal, Gissy, Aimeesue, Tamra, andrew61, Cathythoughts, Bookbuyingaddict, julieclair, willaful

Tamra She is cute, but the pic makes me thankful for child labor laws, in as much as they are passed and enforced. 🫤 3mo

Leftcoastzen Oh my gosh , what a photo. 😳 3mo

elkeOriginal 🥺 3mo

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LeahBergen @Tamra Exactly. 😞 2mo

LeahBergen @Leftcoastzen @elkeOriginal Right? 😢 2mo

Cathythoughts Yes, so young, the poor girl. My copy arrived from Persephone yesterday, I‘ve just read the first few pages , very engaging. 2mo

LeahBergen It is engaging, isn‘t it? I must‘ve been in the mood for some historical fiction as I liked it right away. @Cathythoughts 2mo

rubyslippersreads I may have read this before (in which case I look forward to a reread), but I could also be confusing it with another novel about the Lowell Mills,

Call the Darkness Light

2mo

LeahBergen @rubyslippersreads I KNOW I‘ve read it before (in the 1980s) as I recognize the cover on the mass market paperback. I don‘t remember a thing, of course 😆😆 2mo

LeahBergen @rubyslippersreads I also recognize the cover of Call the Darkness Light but I don‘t THINK I‘ve read that one 2mo

Cathythoughts Hi Leah , I just went to post you something for Christmas and the lady said , no post to Canada as there is a strike. I‘ll keep an eye on the situation and send it when the strike is over. ❤️🌲 2mo

LeahBergen @Cathythoughts Oh, how thoughtful you are! Thank you, Cathy. 😘 Yes, this stupid strike has been going on too long! 2mo

LeahBergen @Cathythoughts Oh, and I sent you a little book directly from Blackwell‘s. 😘 2mo

Cathythoughts Thankyou Leah ❤️ that‘s very kind. As soon as the strike is over, I‘ll send on my gift… 👍🏻😁 2mo

58 likes14 comments

LitsyEvents

Emmeline | Judith Rossner

repost for @LeahBergen:

It‘s now December so that means it‘s time for one of our #PersephoneClub reads!

@andrew61 ‘s pick for us this month is Emmeline by Judith Rossner. This is a casual buddy read; read and comment on each other‘s posts and reviews as you see them. We usually aim to finish by the middle of the month but that‘s not written in stone. 😉 And anyone is welcome to read along with us, of course!

LitsyEvents #BuddyRead

original post:
https://www.litsy.com/web/post/2810674 3mo

LeahBergen Thanks for the repost! 3mo

29 likes2 comments

LeahBergen

Emmeline | Judith Rossner

It‘s now December so that means it‘s time for one of our #PersephoneClub reads!

@andrew61 ‘s pick for us this month is Emmeline by Judith Rossner. This is a casual buddy read; read and comment on each other‘s posts and reviews as you see them. We usually aim to finish by the middle of the month but that‘s not written in stone. 😉 And anyone is welcome to read along with us, of course!

AND… are we ready to choose our 2025 reads? See below: 👇

rubyslippersreads, quietjenn, Caryl, sisilia, CarolynM, daena, LeahBergen, elkeOriginal, Gissy, Aimeesue, Tamra, Cathythoughts, Bookbuyingaddict, julieclair, willaful

LeahBergen Our next book “suggesters” are: February: @CarolynM , April: @Cathythoughts , June: @elkeOriginal , August: @Gissy , October: @LeahBergen , December: @quietjenn (edited) 3mo

LeahBergen Let‘s start with @CarolynM and @Cathythoughts … please make a post with two suggestions for us all to vote on. 👏👏 (edited) 3mo

Cathythoughts Thanks Leah. Emmeline is in the post for me from Persephone 🥰 I‘ll have a look now and get a post up in the next 24 hours. ❤️❤️❤️ 3mo

See All 24 Comments

Tamra Thanks for the reminder Leah! 😄 3mo

Liz_M @LitsyEvents 3mo

elkeOriginal Oo! Checking the shelf for ideas! 3mo

CarolynM Thanks Leah. I'm looking forward to Emmeline. I'll try to post my suggestions later today. 3mo

LeahBergen @Cathythoughts I read the first chapter and I‘m really liking the feel of it! 3mo

LeahBergen @Tamra No prob!😘 3mo

LeahBergen @Liz_M Thank you! 3mo

LeahBergen @elkeOriginal Isn‘t it exciting? 👏 3mo

LeahBergen @CarolynM Thanks, Caroline! And I‘m liking the first chapter of Emmeline. 👍 3mo

daena I‘ve gotten behind this past year, but looking forward to getting back in the swing this coming year. 3mo

LeahBergen @daena Good to hear! 😘 3mo

LeahBergen Okay, @elkeOriginal, you can post your picks for June! @Gissy , you can post your picks for us for August now. 😄 3mo

Bookbuyingaddict Hello 👋 everyone hope your well Iv just ordered mine today 😀il keep you posted , it won‘t arrive until 12th December - happy 😃 reading and happy 😃 pre Christmas 🎄 madness x x x x x 😘 3mo

LeahBergen @Bookbuyingaddict Happy reading to you, too! It‘s starting out well, so far! 3mo

elkeOriginal How are we doing on our choices? I keep obsessively checking in hoping to vote on things 🤦🏼‍♀️😆 2mo

LeahBergen @elkeOriginal Haha! I‘m just holding off until @Gissy comes back on and reads my message. She is the next one up to suggest two books for us. If she doesn‘t answer (or doesn‘t want to do it), I‘ll adjust our list! I think I‘ll give her the rest of the weekend to respond? 2mo

elkeOriginal 👍🏻 Just excited to see more choices! 2mo

LeahBergen @elkeOriginal Me, too. I love the voting. 😆 2mo

LeahBergen Okay, I‘ll adjust our list of people suggesting books to vote on as we haven‘t heard from @Gissy yet … I‘ll move up into the August spot and @quietjenn can suggest our October reads. @rubyslippersreads , you now have December. Is that okay? 2mo

quietjenn Sounds like a plan! I'll try to post mine in the next day or so. 2mo

LeahBergen @quietjenn Great! Thank you. 😘 2mo

49 likes24 comments

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