Please excuse my misstep in switching the title of Cursed Child ( which I did not like) for Half-Blood Prince ( which I adore). As I told the esteemed Beatrice Groves, I am sure Prudence could make something of that slip!
Thank you for this review! I love what you’ve said about Pat as an example of a woman committed to her working life whose had domestic happiness as well. I love her even more with your interpretation.
I do think the cliffhanger parallels the end of CoE, and thinking about those “what if” moments after the wedding will help us predict what might be different this time.
We know Strike is different. He has made a vow - no more Bijoux’s or Coco’s No matter how low he feels imagining Robin off with Murphy, accepting proposals by text, or “pulling” on New Year’s Eve, he will not make himself unavailable to her by becoming entangled with another woman. I also noticed that he now keeps a phone charger in the trunk of his car - a sign that he is caring for himself domestically, but also a habit that will allow him to contact and be contacted by her at any time - no confusing miscommunications.
As for Robin, she’s changed as well, even though our evidence isn’t as strong. I don’t believe she would accept a proposal from Murphy, not even to move in together, not even if he cries or appears vulnerable and elicits her sympathy. The suffering she endured at the farm left her vulnerable to the slip-up of an insincere “I love you” response, but ultimately, this case recommitted her to truth and just dealings at a personal as well as a professional level. She will not continue to sacrifice honestly sharing her true feelings with her partner for the sake of his feelings or to keep the peace. I don’t know how much time she will need to figure herself out, but I do think she’ll end things with Murphy soon and try to give herself some space to reflect. Then, she’ll have to ask Strike directly about her concerns - no more secret agonizing over false assumptions that he only wants sex and limited companionship with striking beauties or wondering if he is still involved with Charlotte. Her respect for his boundaries will have to become more nuanced, and I think we see that in their last conversation when she gently probes about his meeting with Amelia.
Is it too basic to believe that Pat and Dennis are a reverse version of Petunia and Vernon Dursley? It's an internal device, the very first thing the reader encountered in the first Harry Potter book.
I too feel some amount of ambivalence towards this most recent entrant into the Strike cannon. It certainly is not my favorite book, or as good as Troubled Blood. I will be rereading it again, but I do not anticipate it growing on me all that much.
I wondered if you listened to the Audiobooks with the excellent narration from Robert Glenister. My first read was through this medium as the audiobook was delivered before my physical copy. The pronunciation of Wace sounded to me like wax, so I believe a more Roman pronunciation was an intentional choice.** Second, little Qing was pronounced as it would be translated to pinyin-Ching, it means “Pure”. I also find it especially interesting (as a former Beijing resident and student of Chinese history) that this name was chosen, as it also is the name of the last Chinese dynasty before the revolution in 1912.
I too love Pat and her developing role within the series. It is not lost on me that no sooner does Strike lose the most recent mother figure in his life-Aunt Joan, that another is revealed in his office. I also find Pat to be part of Rowling’s larger examination on the value of women in work. Pat is the reiteration of her commentary on women, work, and their role in society, but this time she adds additional nuance to that discussion. By getting a glimpse into Pat’s home life we see that women can have both fulfilling lives inside and outside the home. It does not have to be a choice, but it does require a certain consideration of how partners negotiate responsibility.
Finally, I am also looking forward to the continuation of this series.
I don’t know if Robin will or will not go on her trip. If she does, then I wonder if it will become a proposal trip (she has been with Ryan for over a year). I believe Robin needs to realize that she must say no to being led by the men, and their timelines of desires, to engage in her own agency, especially around matters of the heart. I also wonder if Ryan’s past as an abusive alcoholic will come back as that was a massive reveal in this book. If so, I think that could be a powerful catalyst to walk away from the comfort of the relationship. I do not want her to reject Ryan, simply as a reaction to Strike’s confession. She needs to, now more than ever, parse out what she wants-and does not want-for herself. This is even more important following her experience inside the UHC.
The continuing circus that is Strike’s family relationships are interesting. While Strike never felt like Joan was a substitute for his mother, he did comment that Ted was the “only father he ever knew”. Alzheimer's significantly changes people; it is not just forgetfulness people experience significant personality changes as well. I wonder how, as his disease progresses, this will impact Ted’s relationship with Lucy and Strike. Additionally, people who have dementia reveal information that might otherwise have been forgotten or concealed. Leta was Ted’s only sister. It is not unreasonable to think that they had secrets between each other that even Joan did not know or could not share. I wonder if Ted’s decline may lead to revelations about Rokeby and Leta that push Strike to seek out his father.
Again, thanks for the analysis, I look forward to continued reflections.
~R
**EDIT from 10/10 Relisten-I listened to The Running Grave the first time on 1.5x speed. Today as I relisten to it Wace sounds like: Way-sez. In Glenister's accent it sounds almost like WASTES, so not the Roman Pronunciation, but I still find it very interesting.
Yes agreed Pat is great! I definitely started like her after saving Strike from the bomb in Ink-Black Heart. And she is so generous here. I also appreciate you mentioning how the 67-year-old thing is not that big of a deal here in America. Yeah I guess lying to Strike was not good, but I doubt really see the issues, especially since she's just the office manager, not actually out doing surveillance.
Please excuse my misstep in switching the title of Cursed Child ( which I did not like) for Half-Blood Prince ( which I adore). As I told the esteemed Beatrice Groves, I am sure Prudence could make something of that slip!
Thank you for this review! I love what you’ve said about Pat as an example of a woman committed to her working life whose had domestic happiness as well. I love her even more with your interpretation.
I do think the cliffhanger parallels the end of CoE, and thinking about those “what if” moments after the wedding will help us predict what might be different this time.
We know Strike is different. He has made a vow - no more Bijoux’s or Coco’s No matter how low he feels imagining Robin off with Murphy, accepting proposals by text, or “pulling” on New Year’s Eve, he will not make himself unavailable to her by becoming entangled with another woman. I also noticed that he now keeps a phone charger in the trunk of his car - a sign that he is caring for himself domestically, but also a habit that will allow him to contact and be contacted by her at any time - no confusing miscommunications.
As for Robin, she’s changed as well, even though our evidence isn’t as strong. I don’t believe she would accept a proposal from Murphy, not even to move in together, not even if he cries or appears vulnerable and elicits her sympathy. The suffering she endured at the farm left her vulnerable to the slip-up of an insincere “I love you” response, but ultimately, this case recommitted her to truth and just dealings at a personal as well as a professional level. She will not continue to sacrifice honestly sharing her true feelings with her partner for the sake of his feelings or to keep the peace. I don’t know how much time she will need to figure herself out, but I do think she’ll end things with Murphy soon and try to give herself some space to reflect. Then, she’ll have to ask Strike directly about her concerns - no more secret agonizing over false assumptions that he only wants sex and limited companionship with striking beauties or wondering if he is still involved with Charlotte. Her respect for his boundaries will have to become more nuanced, and I think we see that in their last conversation when she gently probes about his meeting with Amelia.
I can’t wait!!
Is it too basic to believe that Pat and Dennis are a reverse version of Petunia and Vernon Dursley? It's an internal device, the very first thing the reader encountered in the first Harry Potter book.
Elizabeth,
I too feel some amount of ambivalence towards this most recent entrant into the Strike cannon. It certainly is not my favorite book, or as good as Troubled Blood. I will be rereading it again, but I do not anticipate it growing on me all that much.
I wondered if you listened to the Audiobooks with the excellent narration from Robert Glenister. My first read was through this medium as the audiobook was delivered before my physical copy. The pronunciation of Wace sounded to me like wax, so I believe a more Roman pronunciation was an intentional choice.** Second, little Qing was pronounced as it would be translated to pinyin-Ching, it means “Pure”. I also find it especially interesting (as a former Beijing resident and student of Chinese history) that this name was chosen, as it also is the name of the last Chinese dynasty before the revolution in 1912.
I too love Pat and her developing role within the series. It is not lost on me that no sooner does Strike lose the most recent mother figure in his life-Aunt Joan, that another is revealed in his office. I also find Pat to be part of Rowling’s larger examination on the value of women in work. Pat is the reiteration of her commentary on women, work, and their role in society, but this time she adds additional nuance to that discussion. By getting a glimpse into Pat’s home life we see that women can have both fulfilling lives inside and outside the home. It does not have to be a choice, but it does require a certain consideration of how partners negotiate responsibility.
Finally, I am also looking forward to the continuation of this series.
I don’t know if Robin will or will not go on her trip. If she does, then I wonder if it will become a proposal trip (she has been with Ryan for over a year). I believe Robin needs to realize that she must say no to being led by the men, and their timelines of desires, to engage in her own agency, especially around matters of the heart. I also wonder if Ryan’s past as an abusive alcoholic will come back as that was a massive reveal in this book. If so, I think that could be a powerful catalyst to walk away from the comfort of the relationship. I do not want her to reject Ryan, simply as a reaction to Strike’s confession. She needs to, now more than ever, parse out what she wants-and does not want-for herself. This is even more important following her experience inside the UHC.
The continuing circus that is Strike’s family relationships are interesting. While Strike never felt like Joan was a substitute for his mother, he did comment that Ted was the “only father he ever knew”. Alzheimer's significantly changes people; it is not just forgetfulness people experience significant personality changes as well. I wonder how, as his disease progresses, this will impact Ted’s relationship with Lucy and Strike. Additionally, people who have dementia reveal information that might otherwise have been forgotten or concealed. Leta was Ted’s only sister. It is not unreasonable to think that they had secrets between each other that even Joan did not know or could not share. I wonder if Ted’s decline may lead to revelations about Rokeby and Leta that push Strike to seek out his father.
Again, thanks for the analysis, I look forward to continued reflections.
~R
**EDIT from 10/10 Relisten-I listened to The Running Grave the first time on 1.5x speed. Today as I relisten to it Wace sounds like: Way-sez. In Glenister's accent it sounds almost like WASTES, so not the Roman Pronunciation, but I still find it very interesting.
Yes agreed Pat is great! I definitely started like her after saving Strike from the bomb in Ink-Black Heart. And she is so generous here. I also appreciate you mentioning how the 67-year-old thing is not that big of a deal here in America. Yeah I guess lying to Strike was not good, but I doubt really see the issues, especially since she's just the office manager, not actually out doing surveillance.