In HP, Rowena Ravenclaw’s dying wish – the return of her estranged child – goes horribly unfulfilled. Sally Edensor’s dying wish to see her son Will is similarly thwarted, but Robin’s choice of “Rowena” as a pseudonym suggests to me that undercover Robin is an echo of Rowena Ravenclaw and perhaps then, a champion for Sally’s ghost. When “Rowena” succeeds at reconciling child and parent (Will and Collin Edensor), she achieves the unfulfilled goal pursued by both dead mothers, Rowena Ravenclaw and Sally Edensor. I haven’t read Ivanhoe in many years, but I suspect that the connection there is another instance of the theme I’ll call “The error of devaluing feminine strengths.” Both Voldemort and Serius underestimate the magical power of the house elves, an ultimately fatal error. Strike realizes he has been making a similar error when he recognizes Lucy’s heroism in providing her sons with safety and security even when she herself is struggling to keep her bearings. My guess is that Noly is making the same error when she describes “kind and noble” Rowena being a mannequin without substance. Perhaps if Noly were able to appreciate the substantive strength required to remain kind and to do the right thing in difficult circumstances, she herself would be able to recognize and fight evil the way Robin/Rowena does.
All these suppositions suggest to me that Lucy’s victimization by Coates – even though it happened decades ago – is the parallel to Dobby’s death. Lucy is an innocent victim, caught up in a larger war waged by the powerful against the powerless. Her devoted caring without recompense – for older Ted & Joan, for her boys, and for her often ungrateful brother – is house elf behavior that inspires and empowers Strike to become more fully integrated into his own family, including making small domestic sacrifices like accompanying Ted to the doctor and being kind to his asshole nephew. I suspect that ultimately, this new willingness to trade the advantages of independence for the sake of connection will enable Strike to fulfill his destiny as Robin’s “chosen one.”
Of course, Strike himself is another example of an estranged child whose parent is seeking reconciliation. I can’t wait for Book 8, but until then, thank you, Nick, for providing such thought-provoking insight!
Kathleen, I love your comparison of two devastated moms, Sally Edensor and Rowena Ravenclaw, and that Rowena/Robin acts as "champion for Sally's ghost." And although I agree with you that both Voldemort and the UHC undervalue those they consider of very little value (elves and women, respectively) I wonder if, as you say, "Lucy's victimization by Coates" is more of a parallel with Kreacher's victimization by Voldemort than it is a parallel with Dobby's death. Once Strike realized what Lucy had suffered, he saw her differently, as one courageously protecting all 3 of her kids in ways Leda never did, but he also was able to help Lucy remember positive things about Leda. But it was because he validated Lucy first, just like Harry telling Kreacher he didn't want Regulus' death to be in vain.
Also I love the idea of Strike's healthy integration with various members of his family helping him to "fulfill his destiny as Robin's 'chosen one.'"
Nick, thank you for pointing out the heartbreaking treatment of children in the UHC and how that parallels the starvation of familial affection in children shuttled off into institutions. I love how that was contrasted with Pat's and Dennis' welcoming of both Will and Qing/Sally and ultimately Sir Colin's reconciliation with Will, embracing both Lin and Qing/Sally. I love that Will renames Qing Sally after his mother who loved him unconditionally, a love that proved stronger than fanaticism. Even in death her love reached beyond the grave, not unlike Lily's death-defying love for Harry.
Sandy, your last point is gold! A significant parallel between DH and TRG is that a mother’s love powerfully protects her son even after her death. Brilliant!!
I absolutely loved this book. I have never been very talented at the literary allusions and parallels but the story plus the further development of Strike especially and Robin as characters was magnificent. And the final reveal was a definite “OMG” moment. PIGS? Really?!
As I was reading, I knew that just getting Will out of the UHC by finding criminal behavior wasn’t the main point. There had to be more of a whodunit. But which one was it? Kevin’s murder or Daiyu’s death? Rowling did wonderful writing to keep me guessing at that and of course I didn’t consider Abigail for both. I am currently listening again to write down the clues I missed the first time through.
The only time I got a little “bored “ (if I can even use that word) was when I thought Robin should have gotten out of the farm earlier and the ongoing UHC drama was getting a little tedious to read.
Strike did much more development as a person I feel than Robin did. I hope she wakes up in the first chapter of the next book while on her weekend with Murphy and tells him to “sod off”. I’m getting irritated by him. Haha.
Not much scholarly insight from me. Just impressions.
Thank you Nick for this lovely review! It's a wonderful book. I'm going to need to reread it many times before I have any hope of unpacking everything.
Yes indeed I was expecting Charlotte to die, but to be fair I was expecting her death to be in much fishier circumstances than these. Not only is her suicide seemingly straightforward, but also the much awaited note, which I was expecting to contain clues as to Strike's family history and/or Leda's death, in the end turns out to be nothing of the sort. It reveals Charlotte as a much shallower, more negative character than I thought she was, with no understanding of either Strike or Robin (despite repeated references throughout the series to her seemingly supernatural intuition and ability to sense people's thoughts and fears). The parallel with CC and LW would suggest her suicide, like Lula's and Mr Chiswell's, was staged... but I got absolutely no sense that this was the case from RG.
Also, Bijou. In contrast to the above, nothing is left fishier and less believable than Bijou's word that her child is the QC's. After a prolonged period attempting to get pregnant by her lover, Bijou only succeeds after she has slept with Strike. It's clear that for the moment she wants the QC to believe he's the father... but this can be dismantled in a fraction of an instant. An accidental discovery that the QC is infertile, for example, or an acrimonious break up with the QC reconsidering Bijou's earlier reassurances that she never slept with Strike, and demanding a paternity test before he agrees to lifelong child support. I wonder if this is meant as a parallel with one of Harry Potter's children getting into Slytherin.
Ted's dementia is interesting. I have long thought that Ted is key to solving Leda's murder, and this diagnosis puts a very severe time limit on his memories being available. If the "abused Leda" theory turns out to be incorrect (I noted no mentions or references to Stieg Larsson in this book, or none that I could find anyway...), I will be very disappointed!
I had the very same thoughts regarding Bijou and her supposed pregnancy by the QC. The child could very well be Strike’s. A big reveal could come just as Strike and Robin finally come together as a couple and throw their relationship into turmoil. I hope not but am worried about that.
And how seriously will Strike and Lucy take any revelations Ted has to give if dementia has really set in. Although I know that with Alzheimer’s one can have very vivid and accurate memories of the past while forgetting something from 5 minutes ago.
I think characters not knowing "Rowena" from HP is not evidence of no HP in the Strike universe. That's not like "Hermione" or "Bellatrix," I would say there are plenty of people in this world going about their everyday life who wouldn't recognize the name of "Rowena," especially if they're casual fans who've only seen the movies or read the books once.
Thank you Irvin! I have heard rumours of people capable of reading who aren't obsessed with Harry Potter, but I'm glad to have some corroboration of this (somewhat improbable) hypothesis. 😉
Yes, I've met such people two or three times in my life! It's rather like meeting a vampire - you're fascinated, but don't want to get too close or let your guard down.
I can’t imagine Strike picking up the first Harry Potter book, much less finishing it! But, he might gave himself a chance, perhaps if he felt that reading it aloud to a child was the right thing to do, like when he sat by Jack’s bedside. Then Strike might fall more in love with the Potter series even than Robbin, who of course read them and loved them when they were at their peak of popularity. Harry’s story would speak to Strike on a personal level 🤣!
In HP, Rowena Ravenclaw’s dying wish – the return of her estranged child – goes horribly unfulfilled. Sally Edensor’s dying wish to see her son Will is similarly thwarted, but Robin’s choice of “Rowena” as a pseudonym suggests to me that undercover Robin is an echo of Rowena Ravenclaw and perhaps then, a champion for Sally’s ghost. When “Rowena” succeeds at reconciling child and parent (Will and Collin Edensor), she achieves the unfulfilled goal pursued by both dead mothers, Rowena Ravenclaw and Sally Edensor. I haven’t read Ivanhoe in many years, but I suspect that the connection there is another instance of the theme I’ll call “The error of devaluing feminine strengths.” Both Voldemort and Serius underestimate the magical power of the house elves, an ultimately fatal error. Strike realizes he has been making a similar error when he recognizes Lucy’s heroism in providing her sons with safety and security even when she herself is struggling to keep her bearings. My guess is that Noly is making the same error when she describes “kind and noble” Rowena being a mannequin without substance. Perhaps if Noly were able to appreciate the substantive strength required to remain kind and to do the right thing in difficult circumstances, she herself would be able to recognize and fight evil the way Robin/Rowena does.
All these suppositions suggest to me that Lucy’s victimization by Coates – even though it happened decades ago – is the parallel to Dobby’s death. Lucy is an innocent victim, caught up in a larger war waged by the powerful against the powerless. Her devoted caring without recompense – for older Ted & Joan, for her boys, and for her often ungrateful brother – is house elf behavior that inspires and empowers Strike to become more fully integrated into his own family, including making small domestic sacrifices like accompanying Ted to the doctor and being kind to his asshole nephew. I suspect that ultimately, this new willingness to trade the advantages of independence for the sake of connection will enable Strike to fulfill his destiny as Robin’s “chosen one.”
Of course, Strike himself is another example of an estranged child whose parent is seeking reconciliation. I can’t wait for Book 8, but until then, thank you, Nick, for providing such thought-provoking insight!
Kathleen, I love your comparison of two devastated moms, Sally Edensor and Rowena Ravenclaw, and that Rowena/Robin acts as "champion for Sally's ghost." And although I agree with you that both Voldemort and the UHC undervalue those they consider of very little value (elves and women, respectively) I wonder if, as you say, "Lucy's victimization by Coates" is more of a parallel with Kreacher's victimization by Voldemort than it is a parallel with Dobby's death. Once Strike realized what Lucy had suffered, he saw her differently, as one courageously protecting all 3 of her kids in ways Leda never did, but he also was able to help Lucy remember positive things about Leda. But it was because he validated Lucy first, just like Harry telling Kreacher he didn't want Regulus' death to be in vain.
Also I love the idea of Strike's healthy integration with various members of his family helping him to "fulfill his destiny as Robin's 'chosen one.'"
I love that. Strike is changed when he learns of Lucy’s experience the way Regulus Black is changed.
Harry was also changed in the way that he viewed and treated Kreacher.
Nick, thank you for pointing out the heartbreaking treatment of children in the UHC and how that parallels the starvation of familial affection in children shuttled off into institutions. I love how that was contrasted with Pat's and Dennis' welcoming of both Will and Qing/Sally and ultimately Sir Colin's reconciliation with Will, embracing both Lin and Qing/Sally. I love that Will renames Qing Sally after his mother who loved him unconditionally, a love that proved stronger than fanaticism. Even in death her love reached beyond the grave, not unlike Lily's death-defying love for Harry.
Sandy, your last point is gold! A significant parallel between DH and TRG is that a mother’s love powerfully protects her son even after her death. Brilliant!!
I absolutely loved this book. I have never been very talented at the literary allusions and parallels but the story plus the further development of Strike especially and Robin as characters was magnificent. And the final reveal was a definite “OMG” moment. PIGS? Really?!
As I was reading, I knew that just getting Will out of the UHC by finding criminal behavior wasn’t the main point. There had to be more of a whodunit. But which one was it? Kevin’s murder or Daiyu’s death? Rowling did wonderful writing to keep me guessing at that and of course I didn’t consider Abigail for both. I am currently listening again to write down the clues I missed the first time through.
The only time I got a little “bored “ (if I can even use that word) was when I thought Robin should have gotten out of the farm earlier and the ongoing UHC drama was getting a little tedious to read.
Strike did much more development as a person I feel than Robin did. I hope she wakes up in the first chapter of the next book while on her weekend with Murphy and tells him to “sod off”. I’m getting irritated by him. Haha.
Not much scholarly insight from me. Just impressions.
Thank you Nick for this lovely review! It's a wonderful book. I'm going to need to reread it many times before I have any hope of unpacking everything.
Yes indeed I was expecting Charlotte to die, but to be fair I was expecting her death to be in much fishier circumstances than these. Not only is her suicide seemingly straightforward, but also the much awaited note, which I was expecting to contain clues as to Strike's family history and/or Leda's death, in the end turns out to be nothing of the sort. It reveals Charlotte as a much shallower, more negative character than I thought she was, with no understanding of either Strike or Robin (despite repeated references throughout the series to her seemingly supernatural intuition and ability to sense people's thoughts and fears). The parallel with CC and LW would suggest her suicide, like Lula's and Mr Chiswell's, was staged... but I got absolutely no sense that this was the case from RG.
Also, Bijou. In contrast to the above, nothing is left fishier and less believable than Bijou's word that her child is the QC's. After a prolonged period attempting to get pregnant by her lover, Bijou only succeeds after she has slept with Strike. It's clear that for the moment she wants the QC to believe he's the father... but this can be dismantled in a fraction of an instant. An accidental discovery that the QC is infertile, for example, or an acrimonious break up with the QC reconsidering Bijou's earlier reassurances that she never slept with Strike, and demanding a paternity test before he agrees to lifelong child support. I wonder if this is meant as a parallel with one of Harry Potter's children getting into Slytherin.
Ted's dementia is interesting. I have long thought that Ted is key to solving Leda's murder, and this diagnosis puts a very severe time limit on his memories being available. If the "abused Leda" theory turns out to be incorrect (I noted no mentions or references to Stieg Larsson in this book, or none that I could find anyway...), I will be very disappointed!
I had the very same thoughts regarding Bijou and her supposed pregnancy by the QC. The child could very well be Strike’s. A big reveal could come just as Strike and Robin finally come together as a couple and throw their relationship into turmoil. I hope not but am worried about that.
And how seriously will Strike and Lucy take any revelations Ted has to give if dementia has really set in. Although I know that with Alzheimer’s one can have very vivid and accurate memories of the past while forgetting something from 5 minutes ago.
I think characters not knowing "Rowena" from HP is not evidence of no HP in the Strike universe. That's not like "Hermione" or "Bellatrix," I would say there are plenty of people in this world going about their everyday life who wouldn't recognize the name of "Rowena," especially if they're casual fans who've only seen the movies or read the books once.
Thank you Irvin! I have heard rumours of people capable of reading who aren't obsessed with Harry Potter, but I'm glad to have some corroboration of this (somewhat improbable) hypothesis. 😉
Yes, I've met such people two or three times in my life! It's rather like meeting a vampire - you're fascinated, but don't want to get too close or let your guard down.
I can’t imagine Strike picking up the first Harry Potter book, much less finishing it! But, he might gave himself a chance, perhaps if he felt that reading it aloud to a child was the right thing to do, like when he sat by Jack’s bedside. Then Strike might fall more in love with the Potter series even than Robbin, who of course read them and loved them when they were at their peak of popularity. Harry’s story would speak to Strike on a personal level 🤣!