Yay, Beatrice is back! And this post was worth waiting for, so rich in more literary allusion. I am fascinated by a millennia old seahenge, especially the inverted oak tree in the center. I've been wondering about the recurring theme of happiness in Running Grave, till I remembered the Greek word makarios often translated "happy," can also mean "blessed," and in the Sermon on the Mount, this word represents an inversion from those often viewed as cursed to blessed. It's a scandalous inversion enacted by Jesus Christ as he ministers to the "poor in spirit... those who mourn... the meek... those who hunger and thirst for justice [Strike!]... the merciful... the pure in heart... those who work for peace...and those persecuted for doing right." (Mt 5:3-10) I've wondered if the UHC "steps to become pure spirit" and the Sanskrit chant (in English "may everyone everywhere be happy and free") are perverse parallels.
I love your comments on the magnolia! I used to have a saucer magnolia (which did bloom in March in the sunny Central Valley of CA) and currently enjoy collecting their seed pods with my granddaughters.
I've said before in comments about Ink Black Heart that many moderns have no idea how to mourn. If people allow themselves to be guided by folks willing to help them find a ritual meaningful to them, then they too can be happy/blessed knowing there can be, if not exactly comfort, at least a tool to find resolution and the courage to move on. I absolutely love that Strike listened to his gut and stopped to see about the tower that had haunted him as a child, and then was able to sit within that tower to mourn and converse with Charlotte's spirit, let angry tears come and, ultimately, resolve "to admit to himself he should seek something new, as opposed to what was damaging but familiar."
Loved your points here - I predicted that we'd get a scene of true spirituality at Aylmerton church to balance the false religiosity of the UHC, and was delighted at HOW true that prediction came! Strike's mourning in an Anglican parish church was one of the most moving scenes Rowling has ever written - a reworking of the power of the scene at Godric's Hollow's parish church in Deathly Hallows. I've been waiting a bit to write up my thoughts on Running Grave but I do plan to write further on that scene!
Thank you so much for this response! And I don't know the Ruth Galloway series - could it have influenced Rowling here do you think? They look very Norfolk-y - do you recommend? And agreed, lovely - if ironic! - reciprocity from Lucy. And I really liked the fact that Strike didn't lose his insight either - but caught himself out when he was thinking about Switch and being sure Lucy didn't know him either, and then reminding himself he doesn't know how she feels. And - as Lucy sees herself as Joan's daughter, it is lovely that she should unknowingly echo her.
Yes - I will do something on the Eyre connection at some point!
And beautiful about the magnolia - thank you for sharing that. I think their suburban nature is something to be treasured because for two weeks in the spring they are *everywhere* and even those not usually responsive to natural beauty can be suddenly caught unawares by how stunning they are.
Yay, Beatrice is back! And this post was worth waiting for, so rich in more literary allusion. I am fascinated by a millennia old seahenge, especially the inverted oak tree in the center. I've been wondering about the recurring theme of happiness in Running Grave, till I remembered the Greek word makarios often translated "happy," can also mean "blessed," and in the Sermon on the Mount, this word represents an inversion from those often viewed as cursed to blessed. It's a scandalous inversion enacted by Jesus Christ as he ministers to the "poor in spirit... those who mourn... the meek... those who hunger and thirst for justice [Strike!]... the merciful... the pure in heart... those who work for peace...and those persecuted for doing right." (Mt 5:3-10) I've wondered if the UHC "steps to become pure spirit" and the Sanskrit chant (in English "may everyone everywhere be happy and free") are perverse parallels.
I love your comments on the magnolia! I used to have a saucer magnolia (which did bloom in March in the sunny Central Valley of CA) and currently enjoy collecting their seed pods with my granddaughters.
I've said before in comments about Ink Black Heart that many moderns have no idea how to mourn. If people allow themselves to be guided by folks willing to help them find a ritual meaningful to them, then they too can be happy/blessed knowing there can be, if not exactly comfort, at least a tool to find resolution and the courage to move on. I absolutely love that Strike listened to his gut and stopped to see about the tower that had haunted him as a child, and then was able to sit within that tower to mourn and converse with Charlotte's spirit, let angry tears come and, ultimately, resolve "to admit to himself he should seek something new, as opposed to what was damaging but familiar."
Thank you Sandy! :)
Loved your points here - I predicted that we'd get a scene of true spirituality at Aylmerton church to balance the false religiosity of the UHC, and was delighted at HOW true that prediction came! Strike's mourning in an Anglican parish church was one of the most moving scenes Rowling has ever written - a reworking of the power of the scene at Godric's Hollow's parish church in Deathly Hallows. I've been waiting a bit to write up my thoughts on Running Grave but I do plan to write further on that scene!
I totally agree and am so excited to read your thoughts! For what it's worth I think Rowling wrote a poem that I'd call "Still."
Btw I hope your Hallows Eve is very special ❤️
Thanks Sandy! You too :)
I really like this post. The corn dollies reminded me of the hex sticks that hung in the woods in the Blair Witch Project.
Thank you very much Lorna! And yes, that is another great example of creepy-woods folk horror film!
Dear Louise,
Thank you so much for this response! And I don't know the Ruth Galloway series - could it have influenced Rowling here do you think? They look very Norfolk-y - do you recommend? And agreed, lovely - if ironic! - reciprocity from Lucy. And I really liked the fact that Strike didn't lose his insight either - but caught himself out when he was thinking about Switch and being sure Lucy didn't know him either, and then reminding himself he doesn't know how she feels. And - as Lucy sees herself as Joan's daughter, it is lovely that she should unknowingly echo her.
Yes - I will do something on the Eyre connection at some point!
And beautiful about the magnolia - thank you for sharing that. I think their suburban nature is something to be treasured because for two weeks in the spring they are *everywhere* and even those not usually responsive to natural beauty can be suddenly caught unawares by how stunning they are.