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Flights of Angels, Chapters 24, 25 and 26 -- Elaine (), 07:37:07 07/02/12 Mon [14]

Ulster's banner until 1972 depicting the Red Hand

British troop tower overlooking South Armagh

A view of South Armagh, with British tower in the distance on the hilltop

Chapter 24, The Contact

David and Casey meet in the cask room of the Kirkpatrick home. Casey learns that he is 'needed' to help the British learn more about what the IRA really wants. David tells him his bosses want to get an idea of where the Provos might be willing to seek compromise, and they feel Casey is the right man for the job. Not exactly a double-agent, but pretty close. Casey, fully aware of his promises to Pamela to keep out of trouble, is clearly reluctant, but eventually agrees to meet again with David in a month.

David reminisces about his past visits with Jamie as they played chess and drank fine whiskey. Both men are fully aware of the need for political compromise on both (all) sides, but acknowledge that such compromise is hard to come by in Ulster. David trusted Jamie enough to share with him the death of his brother, Edward.

Chapter 25, The Soldier

We find Casey walking through Belfast one evening in December, 1973. He hears gunfire in the background and witnesses the results of the latest bombing. He has thought about leaving Ulster for the safer confines of the Irish Republic, but must admit to himself that Ulster is his home.

As he walks to his car, he is suddenly stopped from behind by a young British soldier, who demands that Casey get on his knees. The soldier questions Casey about his choice of parking spots, seemingly so distant from Casey's place of work. Satisfied with the answer, the soldier lets him go. Casey knows that, secretly, the soldier probably wishes Casey had never obeyed orders and stopped, so he could have fired his gun and killed him.

Chapter 26, Bandit Country

South Armagh sits along the border of Ulster and the Republic of Ireland. Despite being beautiful country, it is also a hotbed of crime, a distillation of The Troubles. This is where Noah Murray operates his farm. His sister, Kate, lives with him. While he is a staunch protector of his blind sister, his reputation among the public is that of a pirate of considerable renown.

David is at the farm in surveillance mode, not merely to keep an eye on a career criminal but also because he knew the Red Hands were planning an attack on South Armagh. David needed to scope out the territory.

Pamela and Kate suddenly come into view. Pamela, Conor in her arms, is taking Kate home after a visit. Pamela spots David and silently signals him to go to her car.

Moments later, Pamela returns to her car after having dropped off her friend, Kate. She pointedly tells David to take special care of her husband while he is involved in whatever it is David has persuaded him to join. She emphasizes her point by mentioning the loss of Lawrence.

Q1) Do you feel David's offer to Casey is legitimate, or could it be a trap? Why, why not?

Q2) Put yourself in Casey's shoes as he is stopped by a soldier in Belfast. Imagine living under such conditions. How would you have responded?

Q3) What are some reasons that South Armagh was such a hotbed for crime and violence during The Troubles?

Q3) Is it wise of Pamela to befriend Kate Murray? Why, why not?

Last edited by author: Mon July 02, 2012 07:37:35 Edited 1 time.
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Parts 4 and 5 -- Elaine, 14:23:10 07/01/12 Sun [2]
Quick note - will begin my posts this evening. Simply cannot do it while a certain someone is awake and requiring attention.

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- Just got back from camping and need to play 'catch up' so this is perfect for me! (NT) -- Denise, 18:19:01 07/01/12 Sun
Flights of Angels, Part 3: Chapter 23 -- PeggyB (), 00:03:22 06/30/12 Sat [14]

Chapter 23: The Dacha in the Woods

Jamie joins Andrei in his borrowed dacha for their annual meeting. They play chess .... and Andrei tips his queen, a signal he want to escape Russia.

We are taken on a flashback to the first meeting of Jamie and Andrei, on the Oxford Polo Grounds. And then a tour through Jamie's journal of summer 1955 in Italy.

Sorry to be so brief with this chapter, which is amazing and deserves better coverage, but I'm tied up with a soccer tournament this weekend and didn't want to cause the discussion to fall off schedule, so discuss at will.

1. What are your initial impressions of Andrei?
2. What changes, if any, do you see in Jamie between 1955 and 1973?
3. If Andrei is such a good friend, why does Jamie not want to discuss Pamela with him?

Last edited by author: Sat June 30, 2012 00:28:41 Edited 1 time.
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Flights of Angels, Part 3: Down the Rabbithole (Russia ~ February 1973) -- PeggyB, 21:51:39 06/28/12 Thu [13]

Many of the images I found when googling "Russian Sauna" were interesting to say the least,
so I opted for this map of the Barents Sea, instead ;-)

Chapter 22: The Package (February 1973)

A Russian army officer has been sent to retrieve a “package” with fear of unpleasant repercussion hanging over his head should he fail and “face the wrath of Comrade Andrei Alexsyovich Valueve.” Told to seek a man with “Hair like guinea gold, a bastard’s grin on his face. He’s likely to be the center of a circle of admirers he’s leading merrily toward a night of debauchery” and a beautiful girl on his knee. With this description, and knowledge of what has happened to past messengers who failed, the soldier, Vasily, enters a tavern in a remote village to wait and watch. Getting caught up in a drunken card game kerfuffle, Vasily ends up with a Finnish fisherman in his lap. The fisherman assures Vasily that the man he seeks isn’t likely to appear until sunset and the two of them adjourn to the adjacent sauna. Vasily falls into a drunken sleep and when he awakens the filthy fisherman is gone…another man with guinea gold hair, speaking in flawless Russian confuses him with a puzzling drinking game. He find his mittens have been returned to his hands but their unraveled threads are woven around the sauna. When Vasily, naked but for the unraveled mittens, finally makes his way out of the sauna, he sees the golden-haired man drive off in his jeep, wearing his uniform, and a beautiful woman at his side.

1. Although Jamie is in Russia to visit Andrei with permission from the Soviet powers, he “hides” from the soldier set to retrieve him, and the soldier fears Andrei. Uh oh, I sense trouble.
2. What tipped off Jamie’s identity to you?

Of course, feel free to discuss at will.

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Flights of Angels, Part 2: Chapters 20 and 21 -- PeggyB (), 18:44:23 06/27/12 Wed [21]

Chapter 20: The Comfort of Romans (November 1973)

Pamela sets to work sorting out the Kirkpatrick affairs, guided by the capable Robert. Robert has another surprise for her, Jamie has named her his sole heir. Pamela cannot accept that Jamie may be gone for good and reaches out to his old Oxford professor Jonathan Wexler.

1. Robert and Pamela work well together. How important was this compatibility to Jamie’s selection of Robert for this task?

2. In the early 1970s, with the burgeoning “women’s lib” movement, it would have been fairly unusual to see a woman in the powerful position of being in charge of such a large business enterprise as the Kirkpatrick’s. Is it in any way significant that Jamie has put a woman in this position rather than a man?

3. Any thoughts on the title of this chapter?

Chapter 21: Of Men and Angels

Jonathan Wexler comes to Belfast to confer with Pamela. We learn from him that Jamie has an annual rendezvous with a friend he met in college, Andrei, a Soviet Astrophysicist. Jonathan is not neutral on the subject of Andrei, he is jealous of him, feeling the friendship of the two men distanced Jamie from Jonathan, who was in love with him. Beyond the jealousy, Jonathan does not trust Andrei. Jonathan speaks frankly with Pamela about Jamie’s bipolar struggles, the contrasts between manic Jamie and Jamie in “the rabbit-hole.”

Jonathan gives a box to Pamela to hold for Jamie…she looks through it and discovers it is erotica Jamie wrote during his time at Oxford. Jonathan is not well and wants the collection safe guarded, if it were found it might expose Jamie’s “vulnerabilities.”

After Pamela goes to tend to wee Conor, Jonathan reminisces about the night he confessed his love to Jamie…and cautioned him of Andrei.

1. This may be the most frank discussion of Jamie and his life that we have seen in the books, thus far. Did you learn anything new from Jonathan’s revelations? And, isn’t there some wonderful writing in this chapter? "…the beauty Jamie experiences is always on the razor’s edge, both perilous and savage, and yet I still long to see the universe, if only for a moment, through his eyes."

2. IIRC, this is the first we have seen of Prof. Wexler since the opening chapter of the first book, yet he is clearly an important person in Jamie’s life. Any thoughts on Jonathan’s absence and sudden reappearance?

3. By the end of this chapter, Jonathan’s warnings about Andrei started sending chills down my spine. How did you react?

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Oops -- PeggyB (), 06:41:26 06/27/12 Wed [8]
Got sucked into the Genealogy rabbit hole last night, will try to get another couple of chapters up tonight.

While we wait for me to get my **** together.....I am less than halfway through reading Angels, but I had to write to Cindy the other day and comment that the writing in this book seems to have taken a leap. I'm not saying the previous books were in any way inferior, but this book just feels like the writing has matured to a whole new level. Curious what others think.

Last edited by author: Wed June 27, 2012 06:51:52 Edited 1 time.
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Flights of Angels, Part 2: Chapters 18 and 19 -- PeggyB, 20:59:05 06/25/12 Mon [22]

Clipper Ship "Thermopylae"

Chapter 18: Irish Sal

We get a brief introduction to the history of the Kirkpatrick family in the far east, and of how Quiyue “Sallie” Rourke became soliciter for the Far East holdings of the Kirkpatricks. Jamie and Sallie met when Jamie accompanied his grandfather on a visit to Hong Kong. The elder Kirkpatrick was wont to stop in at “Irish Sal’s,” a refurbished opium clipper converted into a floating bar which belonged to Irish ex-pat Daragh Rourke. While there, Jamie met Daragh’s Irish/Chinese daughter Sallie, who initially resisted Jamie’s charms, but he ultimately won her friendship. She came to work for the Kirkpatrick’s after obtaining her law degree.

After Robert’s departure, Sallie accuses Jamie of being mean to him, and sets about preparing an opium pipe to ease Jaime’s headache. She then leaves him in the care of “Li” who will take additional measures to ease his discomfort. As Sallie leaves, she believes it is the shadow of another woman that has put Jamie in his current state.

1. How would you define the relationship between Jamie and Sallie?
2. Do you think Jamie has told Sallie about Pamela, or does she have a “sixth sense” where Jamie is concerned?

Chapter 19: Robert (November 1973)

Robert MacDougall calls on Pamela and Casey, informing them that Jamie has been missing since February. He asks if Pamela has any idea where Jamie is, failing that, he advises her that it is time to exercise her power of attorney (*gulp*). During the course of their meeting, Robert asks Pamela about a letter Jamie left for Pamela when he left Ireland….something she had not shared with Casey. The letter is actually a book of poetry with a note from Jamie tucked inside.

1. What do you think of Robert?
2. Can you imagine being given the reins of the Kirkpatrick Enterprises?
3. Oops. Pamela not telling Casey about Jamie’s gift. Was she right to withhold that from him?

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Flights of Angels, Part 2:
Chapter 17: The Flower-Smoke Room (February 1973) -- PeggyB, 09:47:34 06/24/12 Sun [26]

There he is! We catch up with Jamie in Hong Kong, “well muscled and gleaming like distilled sunflowers" *sigh*. Robert MacDougall has been sent by Monseigneur Giacomo Brandisi—head of the Jesuits, and Robert’s father’s first cousin, to encourage Jamie to return to Belfast, the Republical party is split and the Nationalists sense an opening, which brings Reverend Lucien Broughton back in the picture. Robert also seeks employment as Jamie’s secretary. He wins Jamie over after an exhausting interview on politics, business, and finance. Robert is dismissed as Jamie is overcome by a headache.

1. The “last flower-smoke room in the world” is how the author describes Jamie’s Hong Kong hideaway. I could not find a definition for a “flower-smoke” room, I am assuming it is a combination brothel-opium den. Why does the author call this the last one in the world? I invite the author to correct me if I have misinterpreted the term "flower-smoke room."

2. The author gives us a bit of history with a brief recounting of the Flights of the Earls. Jamie’s ancestor was able to retain the Kirkpatrick homestead through charming Elizabeth I. What does this tell us of the Kirkpatricks and how might this be important in the current story?

3. Both Jamie and Casey have been intimately involved in the morass of Northern Ireland politics, from decidedly different angles, and they have both taken a step back. What differences and parallels do you see between the two men?

4. When reading a series, I always find myself weighing if a reader could jump into a later book without having read those that came before. I think the author has done a great job of making Angels approachable for the uninitiated. This morning was thinking about how we met Jamie in Exit Unicorns, beyond drunk after the death of his father, vs Angels. Any thoughts on this?

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'Flights of Angels', Chapters 12-16 -- Denise, 15:20:37 06/22/12 Fri [12]

OK, his child is a bit old, but I know many of you see Colin Farrell as our Casey, and here he is with his own son, Henry.

Chapter Twelve, Father to Son

Casey and Conor have a nightly ritual of a warm bath and discussion (on Casey’s side), of things of importance or nothing much at all. This evening, Casey implores Conor to sleep in his own crib so he and Pamela can have some conjugal relations. After an untimely and long visit from Owen, they finally find themselves in bed while Conor continues to sleep, and they renew their passion for each other.

Chapter Thirteen, Muck

Muck O’Hagan is a fearless journalist who values the truth and will take great risks to himself to see that the public is properly informed of the various groups vying for power and influence. Pat sees him as the perfect person to handle Billy and David’s story. Muck is suspicious of David, he’s risking an awful lot to tell this story, but Pat assures him that it is honour and duty that prompt this behaviour. Perverts interfering with young boys in that house isn’t news to Muck, but he is also aware that something else is going on there. The head of that Loyalist house is being protected from prosecution, but why? And by whom? Muck thinks this story is explosive and may prove the death of him (or anyone else involved).

Pat returns to the Fair Housing office, filled with frustration at the legal system that does little to protect the rights of safety and shelter to so many desperate families. Pat has a way that may change that – attend law school and become the force for change.

Chapter Fourteen, The Bog Woman

Leaving Pamela happily rocking Conor, Casey sets out to cut peat for the fire, carefully putting blade to ground well away from the majestic hawthorn tree. While having a bit of rest under the hawthorn, Casey awakes to the flutter of a bit of cloth hanging from the tree, and it is damp, though the day is warm and dry. Curiosity gets the better of him and he digs, finding the bones of a woman’s hand. Further digging reveals that the woman is wrapped in fur, clutching a stone Sheela-na-gig, or Trickster Hag, in her fine-boned hand. She wears a beautiful amber necklace with silver flowers between the amber nodules. Hawthorn blossom, berries and thorn are found together in the necklace marking her as an ‘other’. Casey uncovers her carefully, there doesn’t seem to be a mark on her as if she laid there and just died. With reverence, he covers her again and leaves the peat bog, feeling as though he’s being watched.

Chapter Fifteen, Internal Relations

In the late summer, Casey’s grandmother, Lucy Murphy, dies and Casey, Pamela, Patrick and the baby drive off to attend the funeral. Casey is particularly agitated, and with prodding from Pamela, explains that the Murphy side of the family is a bit insane. What follows is a lively and hilarious conversation about the boys’ childhood antics, losing their virginity and other sordid (*g*) details of their lives. Tension increases in the car as they approach Ballymena, with the expectation that their mother might also be attending the funeral.

Upon arriving, the aunts embrace Casey and Patrick, and even Pamela who has been hanging back, is warmly taken into the fold of the Murphy family. Not seeing their mother, Casey and Pat relax at the funeral and then return with family members to Lucy Murphy’s home for the wake. Pamela has a surprising conversation with Aunt Sophy who admits that she had a hand in Casey’s abilities in the bedroom. Thinking themselves alone, Casey is about to demonstrate what a good learner he was, but is interrupted by Pat who says a group of aunts are enjoying the show.

The contentment after a good meal and grand company is destroyed at the appearance of Casey and Patrick’s mother. Casey walks off, but Pat agrees to talk to Deirdre, and Sophy ushers Pamela into Lucy Murphy’s bedroom to nurse Conor. The solitude is interrupted by Deirdre, though, mistaking the room as empty and looking for some quiet herself. Pamela invites Deirdre to join her and they converse about Casey as a baby, Patrick and the loss of Sylvie, the special love between Pamela and Casey and about Casey’s previous occupation. Deirdre left Brian and the boys years ago, but she never forgot them, and never stopped loving Brian. After Brian’s death she sent money to have the boys join her but by then Casey was in prison and Patrick refused to leave. Pamela holds her own in this conversation, not backing off when Deirdre needs to hear the truth. She leaves Conor with his grandmother (also under the watchful eye of Sophy) and finds Casey, with a bottle of Jameson Irish whiskey in hand.

Pamela and Casey spend two hours up on the hill, but then it’s time to return and rejoin the dwindling group at the house. Devlin is strumming the guitar and asks Casey to sing a song; ‘My Lagan Love’ was grandmother’s favourite, so Casey begins. A key moment occurs when Casey sees Deirdre and gives her an unguarded boyish look of longing; then he continues singing until he is physically undone by the end of the song. He passes by his mother who has tears streaming down her face, touches her shoulder, then leaves with his family, quite spent by the emotions of the day.

Chapter Sixteen, The Dreaming Time

It is autumn now, the ‘thin time’ of the year, when Pamela feels the veil between worlds can reveal things previously hidden. She has worried about Jamie’s absence for months, and now she dreams of him lost in a deep, cold forest. Where the hell is he?

Questions
1.Why do you think the Sheela-na-gig disturbed Casey so much?

2.Why do you think Cindy has included this chapter about the bog woman? Any particular significance to the storyline or mainly to add a mystical element to the writing?

3. Deirdre has finally shown her face to her two boys. Patrick has kept in touch with Deirdre by letter, but Casey has had no contact with her since she left them as children. He even refused to see her when she tried to visit him in prison. What do you think of their interaction in Chapter 15 – too much expected? Not enough? Under the circumstances, all that was due? How did you feel about the meeting of Deirdre and her sons? (BTW, isn’t this another fabulous chapter? - filled with hilarity, tension and tears.)

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'Flights of Angels', Chapters 8-11 -- Denise, 16:09:01 06/20/12 Wed [12]

Checkpoint at Newry, South Armagh in the 80’s

Chapter Eight, Should Old Acquaintance…

Patrick and David take guarded action when they encounter one another near Casey and Pamela’s vacant house. Inside, over a warm cuppa, they assess the changes in each other (grief does that) and what connection David has with Casey. It’s dangerous talk, but there’s trust between them, so David explains about his liaison with Casey and their mutual endeavour to bring down the people responsible for the death of Lawrence, and the childhood prostitution and rape of other innocent boys.

They speak of Pamela and Casey, and the unmistakable threesome formed by Pamela’s reciprocated love of Jamie. Although Jamie is a key player in the current political climate, he appears to be missing, gone to parts unknown. Patrick asks after David’s love life; he has partners, but it is Patrick who remains the love of his life. A love affair isn’t possible, but they agree that their friendship is intact.

Chapter Nine, Blooding

On the way home from photographing a new baby, Pamela stops at a familiar market and while on the floor grasping for the last milk bottle at the back of a refrigerator, three men in balaclavas enter the store and kill the owner. Fearing for her own life and that of a young woman, Pamela leads them to a back storage room and stacks crates about them for cover. It works, and they are able to leave by the back door unnoticed. The young woman is blind, and adamant that she must not be found near the area or her brother will be terribly upset, so Pamela drives them into the South Armagh countryside before allowing herself to breathe freely. The woman with lovely gentian eyes tells her that the baby will be fine and strong, that today’s events will not do it harm.

At a checkpoint, it becomes apparent that the young woman doesn’t want the soldiers to know she is blind, the reason being that she is sister to Noah Murray, a Nationalist leader. They proceed to the Murray home, and Kate asks to ‘see’ Pamela’s face with her hands, and feel her swollen belly. Her touch is intimate, but not uncomfortable for Pamela and she finds she likes Kate very much and would enjoy her friendship if it was possible.

Once home, Pamela recounts the events of the afternoon to Casey, and he forbids her from venturing into South Armagh again. Not only is it a Nationalist area ‘ruled’ by Noah Murray and the South Armagh Brigade, but now there is an extreme faction of Loyalists afoot making it a treacherous war zone.

Chapter Ten, Conor

While a storm is raging, and a tree has downed on their road, the phone is out and Pamela goes into labour. Initially Casey panics, but as he sets the kettle to boil, Pat arrives and offers to find Gert and go locate a doctor as quickly as possible. As the contractions increase, Casey soothes Pamela by rubbing her back and softly singing ‘The Nearness of You.’ The baby is born with much exertion and total joy, and the intimacy of the moment absorbs the three of them. Upon Gert’s arrival, Casey goes downstairs to join Owen in a glass of whiskey, and Gert handles the rest of the birthing business.

By the time the Doctor arrives with Pat, Gert has cleaned the bedding and Pamela, and all is well indeed. Pat holds his new nephew and gives Casey telling looks (the sort that say don’t fock this up). Too keyed up to sleep, Pamela and Casey discuss the baby’s name and with the inclusion of Finbar to the happy picture, Conor is chosen, meaning ‘wolf-lover’. The peace and gratitude of this scene is very tangible.

Feeling Conor becoming restless while Pamela sleeps, Casey wraps him carefully and takes him outside where he sees Vega, his own father’s star, and thinks of his da and also the baby girl he and Pamela lost.

Chapter Eleven, Dirty War

While writing a progress report, David ponders what to include and what to leave out; he needs to account for his work, but also protect the innocent. Being a British agent in Northern Ireland is a difficult task, and on top of it, he is basically on his own, with no help expected if in trouble. Infiltrating the Irish community is especially tough due to the strong sense of family and loyalty of the Northern Irish people. David questions the motives of the British government, and what the end game is expected to be.

He plans to put three things in his report: contact with Jimmy Sandilands and subsequent information, surveillance from Boyd’s office, and the third item involves the Riordan family. He can’t risk placing either Pat or Casey’s name on a British government document and rips up the page. Friendship wins over the business of war.

Questions
1.Patrick sees Casey’s involvement with David as extremely dangerous and potentially leading to Casey’s death. Methinks he protests too little. Why doesn’t he say more?

2.Chapter Ten, the birth of Conor, is a perfect piece of writing. Assuming you feel the same way ;), what elements come together to make it so? Personally, I don’t think this could have possibly been written by a man, it so mirrors a woman’s perspective on birth.

3.‘History is no more than accepted fiction.’ What was the accepted fiction that you were taught regarding the Troubles?

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'Flights of Angels', Chapters 4-7 -- Denise, 22:12:21 06/18/12 Mon [13]
Belfast pub

Chapter Four, The Boy from Liverpool

David’s cover is that he is originally from Liverpool, the child of an English father and Irish mother. Billy, another boarder of the infamous Loyalist house and a suspicious child, doesn’t believe his story. An untimely sighting of Pat leads David to cross the street before his cover is blown and approach Pat for a light of his cigarette, asking to see him later and explain. Billy isn’t fooled so easily, and will keep quiet as long as David ‘takes care’ of Boyd, and arranges for Billy to meet Casey.

Chapter Five, Billy

David meets Casey at the Youth Center and explains that Billy was a friend of Lawrence and he wants something from Casey. They meet at a remote abandoned cottage where Billy tells Casey and David about the physical abuse (rape) of the boys in the house by McCarthy and the unsettling feeling from the other man in the house who speaks of mass killing of Catholics and Republicans. Billy believes the ruthless man knew he was listening nearby and is afraid for his life, and feels that telling the story gives him some insurance from disappearing without someone noticing.

Casey thinks he can trust Billy’s account, partially because it agrees with what he had learned from Lawrence, and also because he trusts David. His thoughts begin to wander to Pamela and the Hagerty affair, and how he and Pamela need to overcome this obstacle for the sake of their marriage.

Chapter Six, All or Nothing

Pamela arrives home to an empty house after an unpleasant day of photographing the aftermath of a pipe bomb in a pub. She is seldom working these days, though picks up occasional jobs for weddings and happier events. Casey is very much against her working at her previous and dangerous job, and Pamela agrees, feeling very protective of their unborn child and risks to this pregnancy.

Thinking that Casey is visiting with their neighbours, Owen and Gert, Pamela suffers the rainy evening to venture out. She sits down to a homey dinner, knowing Casey has recently been there, but realizes that something is wrong. She is informed that Casey brought a redheaded woman to Owen and Gert’s, and Gert calls her a whore.

After vomiting, Pamela shores herself up and heads to the other nearby drinking establishment to confront Casey. After witnessing a rather intimate act of the redhead touching Casey, Pamela winds up and slaps him hard, calling him a bastard. Appearances are one thing (and Casey did allow the redhead to touch him) but she is a friend of Robin and nothing is happening between them. The real problem is the same one plaguing them for many months – Hagerty.

Things finally come to a head, and Pamela and Casey speak honestly about how the affair with Hagerty has affected each of them, and how it will continue to destroy their relationship if allowed to fester. Pamela recognizes that certain walls have come down and says Casey can do anything to her (even beat her) if it would heal his hurt. They talk of truths, understanding what the other has felt/is feeling and find salvation, as always, naked in each other’s arms.

Chapter Seven, The Night Walker

After spending an evening with a happy Casey and Pamela, Patrick returns to his night walking, waiting for exhaustion to numb his mind and body, but something is beginning to break in him. He can look up to the stars, once his fascination, and again feel a bit of the wonder he used to feel. “Star stuff contemplating star stuff.” He still hurts, but he knows he’s going to survive.

Questions

1. How does Billy expect to be safer by giving information regarding the plans to ‘off’ the Catholics/Republicans? I tend to think he’s put himself into a h*ll of a lot of danger!

2. OK, I want to smack Casey upside the head for not being more sympathetic to Pamela and how she felt she had no choice but sleep with Hagerty to save Casey’s life! How dare he try to hurt her by allowing the attentions of the redhead! He said he wouldn’t punish her for what she’d done, but isn’t that what he’s doing? How can Pamela suggest he beat her to assuage his feelings? How do you feel about all this?? ( I have this urge to pull my hair out over the whole scenario!!)

3. Chapter Seven may be short, but I love it! I feel so attuned to Patrick’s pain, and also his sense of renewal. What has had the most significant emotional impact for you so far?

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'Flights of Angels', Prologue, Chapters 1-3 -- Denise, 00:10:57 06/17/12 Sun [27]
Finally, book three of the ‘Exit Unicorns’ series is here! We have waited a long time for the return of our favourite characters and the chance to ‘see’ where life has taken them after our last encounter in ‘Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears.’ I know Cindy has contacted people outside of our usual discussion group to join us and welcome! We are a very informal and friendly group, so please feel free to add your comments and questions to the discussion. Please don’t just lurk, but join in. Different points of view are always welcome, and the more the merrier!

Belfast in the 1970’s

Prologue

We are introduced to Belfast through the eyes of the auld folk, the fey, angels or demons – the little folk as written by the hand of Cindy. They pass by Jamie’s enchanted house to the dwelling of Casey and Pamela where a tiny red door invites them in. Here they spy on the inhabitants of the house, two-legged and four, where they are almost seen by knowing eyes. Yet these eyes are focused on other things - love of each other and of the little unborn one to come. The auld ones invite us to stay awhile, and see how the story unfolds.
(This is pure Cindy at work! The imagery is simply wonderful – magical. This is one of the special ways that makes her writing stand out from others IMHO.)

Part One, Chapter One, Man of Peace

Casey is late for work (a pregnant Pamela having her way with him again ) at the construction company he runs with Patrick. Casey worries about his brother who is trying to handle his grief over the death of his wife, Sylvie, by burying himself in work and emotionally closing himself off from the people who love him.
Outside, Casey encounters Pug and Mr. Spectacles, two thugs who expect Casey to pay protection money to protect him from the likes of them. For Casey, a former IRA leader, being a man of peace does not come easily.

Chapter Two, The Doomsday Plan

As a form of punishment, David Kendall, M16 agent for Her Majesty’s Secret Service, is given the assignment of posing as a young Protestant, spying on an extreme radical branch of Loyalists in Belfast. David has different intentions though, to smoke out the men responsible for the death of Lawrence, adopted son of Casey. Boyd McCarthy begins the meeting of the Loyalist brotherhood and introduces the main speaker, a man of eloquent words who remains hidden behind a screen to protect him from traitorous factions. He speaks of bringing Doomsday to the Catholics, so their blood will run down the streets until victory lies with the righteous Protestants. He preaches that the Catholic Church and her followers must be abolished by any means - the bloodier, the better.

David excuses himself from the meeting and searches the old house, finding a room with a blond-haired occupant, the hidden speaker, whose aura chills him to the bone. He knows him, but from where? Upon leaving the house, McCarthy stops him with an offer of housing (though more might be expected in return – yuck).

Chapter Three, The Map of Love

The ritual after a hard day of labour is for Pamela to give Casey a well-deserved massage, and tell a story while she works out the kinks in his back. This time, she tells of her day sailing with a young JFK, before he became president and how his undeniable presence foretold of greatness. This leads to talk of Jamie, a dangerous subject for the two of them to discuss, and Casey feels insecure in the life Pamela now leads when she could have had so much more (money, power, security). Another subject that needs to be broached, but isn’t, is the affair Pamela had with Love Hagerty. Casey wants this out in the open, but Pamela can’t bear to speak of it, afraid that it will break the tenuous bond they have rebuilt.

Unable to sleep, Pamela reflects on her time with Hagerty, the choice she had to make to keep Casey safe, but also the fact that her body did respond to Hagerty, even if her mind didn’t wish it to be so.

Questions
1. “At the very edges, the scarring was fine as twigs outlined in hoarfrost.” Just wanted to highlight this small, but beautiful, piece of imagery describing Casey’s scarred back. What other bits of imagery have caught your eye?

2. The day JFK was shot was a significant day in my life, even as a Canadian. For those of you old enough to have lived during this time, what impressions do you have of that day (personal or otherwise) that you can share? Too young? Still feel free to share anything you wish.

3. How do you explain Pamela’s reticence to speak of Boston and Hagerty? Is it a form of cowardice, or something quite different?

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UDPATE: Flights of Angels Discussion Schedule/Volunteers -- Lil, 17:26:02 06/12/12 Tue [8]
Hi everyone! Here's what I've got for volunteers. Does this look fine? Thanks to all who volunteered!
```
Dates	        Chapters	      Volunteer

6/17 - 6/23	Prologue/Part 1	       Denise

6/24-6/30	Part 2 & 3	       Peggy

7/1 - 7/7	Part 4 & 5	       Elaine

7/8 - 7/14	Part 6	               Nalana

7/15 - 7/21	Part 7 & 8	       Marilyn

7/22 - 7/28	Part 9 & 10	       Lisa

7/29 - 8/4	Part 11 & 12/Epilogue  Carla
```
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Flights of Angels Discussion Schedule/Volunteers -- Lil, 09:05:52 06/07/12 Thu [18]
Hi everyone! We are just over a week away from the start of the Flights of Angels discussion. Very excited!

After going through the book, I'd like to add a week to our schedule. I'm hoping to make it a more even spread of discussion since some sections are longer than others. So here is what I've come up with.
```
Dates	           Chapters

6/17 - 6/23	Prologue/Part 1

6/24-6/30	Part 2 & 3

7/1 - 7/7	Part 4 & 5

7/8 - 7/14	Part 6

7/15 - 7/21	Part 7 & 8

7/22 - 7/28	Part 9 & 10

7/29 - 8/4	Part 11 & 12/Epilogue
```
If you can volunteer to lead a section of the discussion, that would be great. Just post your date requests here or email me privately. The only parts I can't take are 2 & 3 because of Cub Scout commitments.

Thank you in advance!

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[ Archives: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, [6], 7, 8, 9, 10 ]

Year	Books Discussed
2013	Scales of Gold by Dorothy Dunnett Book of Negroes by Lawrence Hill Sutton by J.R. Moehringer The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende Bring Up The Bodies by Hilary Mantel
2012	The Orphan's Tales: In the Night Garden by Catherynne M. Valente The Paris Wife by Paula McLain Flights of Angels by Cindy Brandner In the Coumpany of the Courtesan by Sarah Dunant Race of Scorpions by Dorothy Dunnett The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
2011	Juliet by Anne Fortier Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen Cleopatra: a life by Stacy Schiff Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant Spring of the Ram by Dorothy Dunnett Room by Emma Donoghue The Stolen Child by Keith Donohue
2010	The Children's Book by A.S. Byatt Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel Niccolo Rising by Dorothy Dunnett A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell The Help by Kathryn Stockett *Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
2009	Crow Lake by Mary Lawson The Granny by Brendan O'Carroll The Chisellers by Brendan O'Carroll The Mammy by Brendan O'Carroll Cape Random/Random Passage by Bernice Morgan Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears by Cindy Brandner Exit Unicorns by Cindy Brandner Ringed Castle by Dorothy Dunnett Checkmate by Dorothy Dunnett
2008	Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman Saturday by Ian McEwan Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë The Disorderly Knights by Dorothy Dunnett Pawn in Frankincense by Dorothy Dunnett *Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer *The Host by Stephenie Meyer
2007	Mermaid in a Bowl of Tears by Cindy Brandner Exit Unicorns by Cindy Brandner Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley *Twilight by Stephenie Meyer *New Moon by Stephenie Meyer *Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
2006	Exit Unicorns by Cindy Brandner The Game of Kings by Dorothy Dunnett Trinity by Leon Uris Queen's Play by Dorothy Dunnett

*Discussed on an alternate board

Cindy Brandner's Website

Dorothy Dunnett Website

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May 5 - Jun 1 Sutton by J.R. Moehringer
Aug 11 - Aug 31 The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende
Sep 15 - Oct 26 Bring Up The Bodies by Hilary Mantel