I can't believe you actually managed to pause and do this. It's genius. I love it. Thanks so much. I read the mythological connections post before but you pointing out how it plays out here is just amazing. When you first mentioned Strike being shot by his own arrow I didn't get it, but boy did you bring it home later...Awed by this woman (and you for actually making the connection).
Also it's interesting that after grazing himself with his arrow, he falls in love with Psyche as she's the first thing that he sees. In the book, he talks to the phone with Robin rather than see her, but actually sees Bijou.
This is fantastic. I especially like the point about Strike emulating Rokeby. Isn't there something about Rokeby and Leda conjugating in a semi-upright position when Strike was conceived? Echoed in his upright clinch with Bijou.
There's so much good stuff here.
I'm reminded of the irony of the "spirit bonding" at Chapman farm in contrast to the true bonding of spirits undergone by Robin and Strike.
Thinking back to the idea of the Drowned Prophet as a sort of dark avenging angel terrorising church leavers into suicide... My assumption was that this was Wace and Mazu going after leavers using the image of their daughter and perhaps triggering some sort of brainwashed programming to make them commit suicide... *spoilers*
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When in fact it was another Wace daughter acting independently, but also as a result of her horrific experience at Chapman farm, and using good old-fashioned guilt, intimidation and blackmail to prompt suicide, or if necessary doing the dirty work herself.
This was fascinating and think I’ll need to reread this piece again to really comprehend it - likely after I conclude a reread of The Running Grave.
You have incredible willpower to be able to hold off flying through the whole book!
I can't believe you actually managed to pause and do this. It's genius. I love it. Thanks so much. I read the mythological connections post before but you pointing out how it plays out here is just amazing. When you first mentioned Strike being shot by his own arrow I didn't get it, but boy did you bring it home later...Awed by this woman (and you for actually making the connection).
Also it's interesting that after grazing himself with his arrow, he falls in love with Psyche as she's the first thing that he sees. In the book, he talks to the phone with Robin rather than see her, but actually sees Bijou.
This is fantastic. I especially like the point about Strike emulating Rokeby. Isn't there something about Rokeby and Leda conjugating in a semi-upright position when Strike was conceived? Echoed in his upright clinch with Bijou.
There's so much good stuff here.
I'm reminded of the irony of the "spirit bonding" at Chapman farm in contrast to the true bonding of spirits undergone by Robin and Strike.
Thinking back to the idea of the Drowned Prophet as a sort of dark avenging angel terrorising church leavers into suicide... My assumption was that this was Wace and Mazu going after leavers using the image of their daughter and perhaps triggering some sort of brainwashed programming to make them commit suicide... *spoilers*
.
.
.
When in fact it was another Wace daughter acting independently, but also as a result of her horrific experience at Chapman farm, and using good old-fashioned guilt, intimidation and blackmail to prompt suicide, or if necessary doing the dirty work herself.