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Checkmate, Part 1 Chapter 1 -- Denise, 22:29:56 03/28/09 Sat [20]
Hold onto your hats, grab tight to the handlebars coz we’re going for a wild roller coaster ride where the tension doesn’t let up until the end!

“The Cockfight” by Jean-Leon Gerome

NOTE: I put some comments in (...) parentheses, but more personal questions and observations in {…} parentheses throughout my chapter summaries. I hope you don’t mind. Some of the summaries are long, I debated about being concise or thorough, and chose to be thorough!

The book begins with Austin Grey arriving in Douai after a two day ride from Calais. His uncle, Lord Grey of Wilton, sent him to ‘assist’ in Lymond’s departure from Western Europe where Lord Grey fears he will help France to take up arms with Scotland against England. Russia seems a much safer place for Lymond to be situated as far as Lord Grey is concerned.

An Italian cock-master recognizes Grey and instructs him to join the crowd listening to the singing quartet, Les Amis de Rebelais, since that is where he will find Lymond. The four young men are singing a bawdy song about a ‘false female’ where Lymond is playing the role of auburn-haired Hilary. Lymond relays a message to Grey to go to his room after the cock fight.

Cock-fighting is described in detail, and considered to show “unflinching valour for men to admire and emulate.” The second cock-fight pits a black and red bird against a yellow plumed rival. The yellow bird, the underdog, is eventually victorious and Lymond wins his bet. {Some pretty obvious symbolism there!}

The Italian cocker and two other men are waiting for Grey in his room. Grey is bound, gagged and locked in his chamber. He realizes that the cock-master is Piero Strozzi, King Henri’s general and Lymond’s friend. Austin finds a small knife, cuts his bindings and shouts from his barred window “Treachery” and warns of French spies.

Lymond appears in Grey’s room and a fight ensues where Austin is knocked out.

When Francis leaves the room, he finds himself trapped in the courtyard, betrayed by Guthrie, Blacklock, Hoddin and Hislop who want him to remain in France. Lymond is incensed and kills several men near him with his “diabolical sword-arm”, though no one harms Lymond. Francis insists he will kill other innocents to escape and return to Russia. He refuses to stay in France and take a command in the French army but Strozzi has a persuasive bargaining chip. If Lymond serves the King of France for one year, his marriage will finally be annulled. Lymond agrees so he can abandon “the foul yoke of sensual bondage.” During the kerfuffle, Austin escapes.

Back in England, Lord Grey is displeased that Lymond is loose in Lyon, France, but he expects Lyon and Paris to be in English hands soon. While his uncle is wishing Lymond was fighting for, instead of against the English, Austin only has thoughts of Lymond dead so Philippa can be his.

[Edit]

Replies:
- I've placed the French translations inside. I did my best, but some of them make no sense at all!!>>>>> -- Denise, 22:36:17 03/28/09 Sat
  - I have both of the Companions from the library, but can't find every quote in there, very annoying. There is a note in the front of my book that says the quotes at the beginning of each chapter are from Nostradamus' prophecies. There are lots of Nostradamus websites, but I don't know how helpful they are. We may have to lean on dear Isabelle for some translation work! (NT) -- PeggyB, 07:57:41 03/29/09 Sun
  - Denise, I found these translations from Nancy Wright's Translation Guide. >>>> -- Sallie, 09:03:15 03/29/09 Sun
    - And from Elspeth Morrison's DD Companion, Vol. I, I found this. >>> -- Sallie, 09:12:37 03/29/09 Sun
    - I fugured the 'ple arctiq' had something to do with the arctic pole, but maybe the language is ancient because it wasn't familiar to my Francophone friend or translated on an internet translator. I know if I delved further the answers could/would be found but I have only so much time!! (NT) -- Denise, 10:19:46 03/29/09 Sun
- I have to admit to being a bit confused on first reading (big surprise). I initially thought Lymond was behind Grey's confinement, so the whole Strozzi thing threw me off. I had to reread most of this chapter immediately! (NT) -- PeggyB, 23:08:17 03/28/09 Sat
- Ack, we've started! How did the end of March arrive so quickly? I must to my book and start reading. (NT) -- Carla, 08:17:29 03/29/09 Sun
- Also, Piedmontese = NW region of Italy. I didn't know that! (NT) -- Denise, 11:54:09 03/29/09 Sun
  - Totally unnecessary trivia. There is a US Piedmont. It's in the Carolinas region. (NT) -- Elaine, 12:03:38 03/29/09 Sun
    - LOL and I live in the Piedmont region of Virginia *g* (NT) -- Marilyn, 18:21:18 03/29/09 Sun
      - There's a Piedmont, Missouri, too. My father was there so much he could've been a Piedmontese! ;-) (NT) -- Elaine, 19:49:43 03/29/09 Sun
        
        I was thinking about "Piedmont" today, listening to ABOSAA while driving, according to Dictionary.com, "Piedmont": An area of land formed or lying at the foot of a mountain or mountain range. (NT) -- PeggyB, 22:45:22 03/29/09 Sun
        
        Yes. Pied=foot, and mont=hill. So there are probably many regions throughout the world known as the Piedmont. (NT) -- Elaine, 06:05:01 03/30/09 Mon
- What do you think of Lymond indiscriminately killing those in the square who stood in his way of escape? I wasn't very fond of him at this point. They weren't harming him, but he was ruthlessly brandishing his sword. It's one thing to be single-minded in achieving one's goal, but this oversteps the line, in my mind. (NT) -- Denise, 12:00:20 03/29/09 Sun
- I have to say here, that Lymond has got me trained when people in costume are around...I'm always looking for him or his associates. *g* (NT) -- Lil, 20:00:36 03/29/09 Sun
Checkmate cover art -- PeggyB, 18:09:52 03/24/09 Tue [10]
I'm always interested in cover art. Here are the covers I've found for Checkmate. I realize this takes up a lot of room on the board, but I'm doin' it anyway!

[Edit]

Replies:
- I have a different cover! Cripes, how do I make pictures bigger??? (NT) -- Denise, 19:27:00 03/24/09 Tue
  - Wow, found some more, here's the best I can do on the size:
    (NT) -- PeggyB (), 21:00:34 03/24/09 Tue
    - Gee, Denise, nothing phallic about that cover of yours, is there?? (NT) -- PeggyB, 21:33:43 03/24/09 Tue
      - Wouldn't I like that phallic thing somewhere else? *g* The third cover over is similar to one of my other books, must be same publisher. I have all six books, multiple copies of some since they were falling apart, representing at least 6 different publishers. (NT) -- Denise, 09:59:54 03/25/09 Wed
- It's neat to see how much styles, even for book covers, have changed. You can almost name the decade with many of those covers. (NT) -- celtgirl, 13:01:51 03/25/09 Wed
  - What all these different book covers tell me is that these books are popular enough to be published by many publishers, over several decades, and probably printed multiple times - a real testament to the author. (NT) -- Denise, 16:27:37 03/25/09 Wed
- I love seeing all the various covers. It makes me want to collect them. (NT) -- Lynne, 06:04:30 03/27/09 Fri
- Bwaahaa. Some of these are hilarious. The ones I read just had landscapes or seascapes and such done like a fine oil painting- sometimes with people but the people were not the focus. Who is that guy in the blue up above- with gray hair? that can't be Lymond. (NT) -- susiej, 10:58:27 03/27/09 Fri
  - I assumed it would have to be Lymond (even though he doesn't look like him *g*) and I assume the dark haired knight looking on is Jerrott. I like the one I put on the schedule. I think the rising phoenix is a great metaphor for Lymond. (NT) -- Peggy, 14:10:07 03/27/09 Fri

Housekeeping Items: -- Lil, 12:35:50 03/22/09 Sun [25]
Hello all! Just a quick reminder that our discussion of Checkmate begins this coming Sunday. It's a long one - 8 weeks.

I also wanted to get a feel for what everyone is interested in doing for the Summer discussion months. We'll be finishing up the Checkmate discussion just before Memorial Day weekend here in the U.S. so we'll need to start planning for Summer now. I have created the following poll. Please take a moment to let me know your thoughts. I'll post more in a few weeks once I get an idea of what people want. Thanks!

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Chapter 20 - Cape Random/ Random Passage -- Lil, 19:24:26 03/20/09 Fri [14]

Ft. Amherst as you enter St. John's bay.

I want to say thank you to everyone involved in this discussion. To Carla and Tracy for their excellent summaries and lovely tidbits about a place they love. I know a few things after this discussion: I am thankful I didn't have to start over on the Cape - it was a hard life. I really want to read the next book in this series. I see a trip to Newfoundland in my future! *g* So thanks for being involved in this discussion. Here is the last installment.

Thomas makes several attempts that winter to run into Emma at the Black Dog tavern, but doesn't see her. He leaves three shillings with the bar keep to pass along to her if she comes in.

The work on the church continues. The bishop convinces some tradesmen to stay to teach his men what they know. Trying to protect future work, the tradesmen only take on three apprentices a piece. The bishop puts Thomas to work on watching and documenting what the tradesmen do so they can duplicate their work. At first he does so overtly, but learns quickly that this angers the tradesmen. So from then on he tries to memorize what they are doing and spends his evenings recording what he can remember.

Alex and his wife attend Mass. Alex asks Thomas if he's heard news about Caleb Gosse. Thomas hasn't, so Alex tells him that Caleb has quit the business and moved back to England. Thomas asks about The Cape and Alex says he's not sure what will happen. He figures a new merchant should be taking over the business there and will have to make new arrangements with Mary Bundle. Thomas asks Alex if he¡¦s seen Emma, but Alex has not.

A few months pass until Thomas' next entry into Lavinia's diary. He tells that he has been reinstated as an ordained priest by Rome. He decides to say his vows again and the bishop tells him that they will do that after Easter.

The following day he is summoned to the Black Dog. Emma has been by and left a message for Thomas. She says he is to meet her at the docks when the Godspeed arrives. The bartender tells Thomas the ship should be in any day and that he'll send a boy up to fetch him when the ship arrives.

A few weeks later the Godspeed arrives in port. Thomas meets up with Emma. Emma has asked him to join her to greet Peter and Joe Vincent. As the ship comes in it signals that there are four dead, two lost and one injured crewmen. Emma "knows" that Peter is one of them.

Emma is right. And the scene of the two bodies, lowered together, as they were found holding each other is described. (I won't rewrite it...it was horrible to read. )

Thomas and Emma find out where the bodies are being taken. Thomas takes Emma and her boys up to the convent. Emma tries to run away, but Thomas physically moves her inside and leaves them there while he attends to the details related to Peter and Joe's death.

Thomas attempts to get money from the ship's owner on behalf of Emma and Lizzie(Joe's wife). He finds out that the men would not be getting payment since they died the first week out and had been fully outfitted by the company. Technically, Thomas was told, they owed the company. Thomas makes further arrangements to get Emma and her children and the bodies' passage back to The Cape.

Thomas borrows money from the church to pay for their passage. When he arrives at the morgue with Emma and children, he is informed that some payment has been left by the ship's owner. With the money in hand, Thomas escorts the little family and their bag of belongings to the Seahorse. Thomas has also brought Lavinia's journal with him to have Emma return to her.

As they wait for the ship to depart, Emma hands off the baby and the boy to Thomas and runs for the side of the ship. Thomas assumes that she's going to be sick, but instead she runs off the ship, leaving him standing there with the children. She's got her bag in hand and shouts something Thomas can't hear from the dock. She doesn't return and the Seahorse sets sail.

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Chapter 19 – Cape Random/ Random Passage -- Lil, 18:31:13 03/19/09 Thu [8]

Basilica of St. John the Baptist...then (1860) and now
Click here to read about the history of this church, and see the connections to the book.

Thomas & Alex walk up to the chapel. During the walk Thomas takes in all the business that surrounds him – full pubs, baking bread, people everywhere. He feels invigorated by the activity. They arrive at the Chapel and part ways. Thomas feels that this might be the last time he sees his friend Alex.

Thomas makes his way to the construction site. Here he sees what he thinks is chaos. After getting roped into helping, he starts to see a process to all the activity. At the end of the work day, Father Fitzgerald finds him.

At dinner, Father Fitzgerald explains to Thomas some of what is going on with the building of the church, explaining the people managing the project, etc. Then he tells about the history of the Catholic Church in St. John’s. Thomas thinks it sounds very similar to what was happening in Ireland.

Thomas attends vespers and is overjoyed by the little things that surround him inside the church. He’s feels at peace there and is convinced he’s finally come home.

Some time passes before Thomas’ next entry. He hoped to write more about the building of the cathedral, but doesn’t seem to have time for it. He’s taken the role of clerk at the site and comments on how the poor and unpaid workers care greatly for Bishop Fleming, but make fun of Father Fitzgerald. Thomas also finds that it’s hard for him to remember his time on the Cape and the people he left behind there.

A winter and summer have past until the next entry. Thomas writes about meeting up with Emma, Meg and Ben’s daughter. At first he believes she is Lavinia. He talks with her, finding out that she’s married to Peter Vincent. After meeting with Emma, he decides to help find her work as she is obviously in need.

It’s spring before Thomas writes again. He tells of the building of the church and how men have been brought in from Cork to help with the building. There are concerns for the safety of the workers, specifically related to horses and wagons, but the Bishop will not pay more to ensure their safety. Then as the pillars are erected, the workers begin to celebrate the rising of each one. The Bishop finds out they are drinking laced tea at these celebrations. A man is killed and the Bishop finds a crock of alcohol on the site. He went into a rage, threatening excommunication to those who bring alcohol on site. Thomas thinks that the site will be empty of workers the next morning, but is surprised to see even more help.

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Chapter 18 – Cape Random/ Random Passage -- Lil, 19:00:14 03/18/09 Wed [10]

Newfoundland coast near Twillingate at sunset

“How can a person wake one morning and see a completely different world from the one he saw yesterday? As if the eyes he is looking through are no the eyes he closed the night before.”

Thomas shares his version of the story when the two boatloads of woman and children set off for Turr Island to gather bird eggs. For reasons unbeknownst to himself, he jumps in the boat and heads off with the group. He notes that this action, and his view of the people around him, show a change in him of which he was unaware. He notices Lavinia's beauty for the first time and as he nods off on the trip to the island, dreams of her leaning over him naked.

Thomas says that he spends the following summer in a “haze of desire” , constantly seeing and thinking of Lavinia. He spends much of his time trying to find her, watch her and even arranges his day to do so.

At the end of the summer, he runs into Ned, who was not acting himself. Thomas saw guilt upon his face and then wandered to where Ned had come from. He finds Fanny rolling around naked in the field. He is convinced that Ned and Fanny have been together and is unsure how to proceed.

Thomas turns to his biblical studies again and realizes he’s fallen far from his Catholic teachings. He starts to feel distaste for the Andrews family again and decides that in the spring he will move from the Cape and find a Catholic community in which to reside.

The sickness falls upon the Cape and many are lost to it. Then Ned is attacked by the bear and Thomas carries great guilt at standing by and not helping Ned. He says he will forever dream about the scene he saw as the bear attacked.

Soon after, Mary accuses Thomas of raping Fanny and fathering her baby. She believes that was the reason he hadn’t been around the house or had helped Ned when he needed it against the bear. Thomas also learns that Mary believes Fanny has told Lavinia, who told Mary, that he was the father. She demands he marry Fanny. And to this he writes: “So, I thought, God does have a sense of humor. It was something I had often wondered about.”

Thomas finds out about Toma and Fanny and the situation on the beach. He realizes Toma is the same Indian he had met up with before. Thomas begins searching for Toma and finds him dead. Peter Vincent has vanished after killing Toma.

Meg arrives at Thomas’ home to ask for forgiveness and to find out what will become of Fanny’s baby. The community believes the baby was fathered by Toma. They agree that Meg will take care of the boy and Thomas gives her most of his money to take care of him.

Thomas tells Meg he plans to leave the Cape and Meg says that Mary wants his job when he goes. He agrees and they plan not to tell Caleb Gosse about the change.

So Thomas leaves, without ceremony. After they get out to sea a bit, Alex gives him a package. It is Lavinia’s journal. He reads it all and criticizes himself for not seeing what was there between them.

As he sails away, Thomas resolves to go to St. Johns, beg to be taken back into the priesthood and then return to Ireland to face the consequences of his actions from so long ago.

[Edit]

Replies:
- Do you all think that Ned was with Fanny or that Ned had seen Fanny with Toma? This part confused me. I really didn't want Ned to be involved with Fanny that way. I had two feelings of Thomas leaving.....one, I was disappointed in him for running because I wanted Thomas and Lavinia to find true love. Yes, I am a hopeless romantic. But two, I was proud of him for going back and facing his past and moving on with his life. I guess a priest, however removed from the priesthood is still a priest, so he couldn't honestly have a relationship with Lavinia. So I felt relief that it wasn't consummated, but disappointment that they couldn't make it work. (NT) -- Rebeccab, 04:43:51 03/19/09 Thu
  - I was a bit confused too Rebecca. I got a 'yucky' feeling when I thought Ned was with Fanny but then I started to think that he would never have done that. I think he saw Fanny and Toma and it completely shocked him. At least I hope this is what happened. I feel the same way about Thomas leaving. I wwas really hoping that something would turn for them and the opportunity to express their feelings would arise. I thought it was poignant that Alex gave him Lavinia's diary. Also, splendid photo of Twillingate Lil. It is fantastically beautiful in person too. (NT) -- Tracy, 06:26:14 03/19/09 Thu
    - That's my take, too. I think there was evidence to show that Ned was devoted to Mary. (NT) -- Elaine, 07:16:25 03/19/09 Thu
    - Oh, I got that 'yucky' feeling too! How could he possibly do that? I know he was a 'randy' sort, but he seemed devoted to Mary. I haven't read past this chapter but I'm assuming from the above comments that we never really know the father of the baby, all the people who know for sure are dead. I was thinking that eye colour of the baby might help out, but probably not! (NT) -- Denise, 09:58:43 03/19/09 Thu
  - I believe that Ned had seen Fanny with Toma and was completely shocked and bewildered for several reasons -- first, he'd probably never thought of her as old enough to have a sexual relationship and second, because she was with a "savage." I do believe Fanny's baby is Toma's and I think once he'd tried to take her on the beach everybody realized Thomas was not the father. (NT) -- Carla, 13:40:22 03/19/09 Thu
    - Phew! I am glad you all think Ned saw her with Toma. I so badly didn't want Ned to be up to that kind of awfulness. I was convinced once I read the beach scene that Toma was the father. Fanny spent soooo much time in the woods, I just knew it was his and then everything (mostly) fell into place. I was just relieved it wasn't Thomas' baby. (NT) -- Rebeccab (), 16:06:31 03/19/09 Thu
- I can't believe that Ned would do such a thing. I think maybe he came upon her during or after she had been with Toma. I think Ned was creative and funny, but not without any scruples. I remember how he was with his first wife the night she died, doting and sweet. And even with Mary, there was a connection between them. He also had to know if he got caught, Mary would have his family jewels in a sling. *g* I think he was embarrassed to see her behaving as such and seeing her in the neud. (NT) -- Lil, 12:29:20 03/19/09 Thu
  - That all makes sense, it's just a shame that the facts didn't come to light much earlier. As usual, what would a story be without conflict and many misunderstandings! (NT) -- Denise, 14:42:10 03/19/09 Thu
    - True. I'm trying to figure out what Mary is going to do, if anything, with the stones she has. (NT) -- Tracy, 15:15:58 03/19/09 Thu
Chapter 17 – Cape Random/ Random Passage -- Lil, 19:54:58 03/17/09 Tue [11]

Picture of a Schooner, like Alex Brennan's ship, the Turn

Thomas describes the arrival of the Vincent’s “like a family of floating gypsies”. They had every possession they could fit in their boat, to include their children and a chicken coop.

Josh Vincent tells Thomas that they have decided to move from their home in Pond Island because it’s become crowded and they believe the fishing will be better for them there. The fishing along the Cape would be something that his boys, Young Joe & Peter, can count on when they start on their own. Thomas tries to explain that it will be a hard go there, but Josh and Sarah have spent a year planning and are determined to start anew on the Cape.

“Such a force they were, standing there in their little boat, waiting for my answer. To think a man could take his life and pack it up like that, all of it, wife, children, chickens, job, and carry it to where he wanted to go, set it down and spread it around him like a blanket! For the first time in my life I felt real awe – and real envy.” (Cape Random, pg 304) I thought this was an interesting quote about Thomas’ perspective on life.

In a month the Vincent’s have their home built. Sarah gave birth to Charles not long after. Thomas records Charlie’s birth in his log, the first of many birth and death entries he makes.

In early winter, the Andrews come ashore. Thomas believes that they have been illegally dumped by the French ship they arrive on and is upset by the arrival of these twelve new people. Looking back he wonders if his own pride about having a quiet utopian type place caused him to feel this way. Thomas also shares that it took him quite a long time to get over the negative feelings that the Andrews family caused him.

Even as different as they are, Ned and Thomas become good friends. And after Ned marries Mary Bundle, Thomas is tormented because suddenly he finds Mary attractive and dreams about her. He describes her as graceful and confident after she married Ned. (completely different than I envisioned her)

One night, disturbed with his constant thinking of Mary, Thomas takes a walk and realizes that they are not the only ones on the Cape. He doesn’t see anyone, but senses the presence of others in the darkness. Six or seven years later he comes face to face with the Indian he knows has been there the whole time.

The Indian Thomas comes upon is injured. Thomas does all he can, recalling Mary’s healing techniques, to fix the man up. Thomas tries to bring the Indian back down to the store, but the Indian does not want to go. Thomas gives him the metal rod, as a show of faith, and when the Indian is gone the next day, so is the rod.

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Chapter 16 - Cape Random/ Random Passage -- Lil, 18:24:25 03/16/09 Mon [9]

A picture of Chain Rock – the place where The Seven Sister’s arrives in St. John’s.

The next morning, Thomas finds himself on a fishing boat outside Durnford Head, Ireland. He is emotionally numb – not really able to process his feelings on all that happened the night before. He slept on the trip on the fishing boat until they reached The Seven Sisters, the ship he would be travelling upon.

Thomas identifies himself as Thomas Hutchings and tells the Captain he is not a priest. Thomas lives a solitary, “brooding” life on ship – not interacting with anyone on the ship if he can help it. He wasn’t even aware of his own destination.

While he is in hiding, the ship’s first officer and navigator, Signor Boito collapses and dies. The Captain sends for him and after a brief interview about his knowledge of mathematics and astronomy, asks Thomas to help get the ship to its destination, St. John’s.

They arrive safely. When they approach port, they are greeted by cannon fire. This was to signal them to heave to so the ship could be boarded by the English. The English that board ship are Caleb Gosse, Willie Johnson and George Stripling. These men negotiated what they wanted from the cargo of The Seven Sisters. Thomas comments that this seems to be a “long-established practice devised by the foremost merchants of St. John’s in collusion with the Navy – it gave them the first option on all incoming goods.”

After some discussion, Caleb Gosse offers Thomas a job on Cape Random. Although Thomas feels a longing to return with the Captain to Spain, he remembers Father Francis warning, and takes Gosse up on his offer.

When he is dropped off at the Cape, some of Gosse’s men come ashore to help get the store in livable condition. This is when he meets Alex Brennan, the Tern’s captain. Alex tries to give Thomas his bearings of where the Cape is compared to St. John’s. And he also advises him to stay to the coast if he needs/wants to find other people. Going inland is a sure way to get lost.

Thomas enjoys the solitary life on the Cape. Then the snow comes. He enjoys it at first, but then finds himself spending more and more time sleeping in his bunk. In attempt to stay alive, Thomas creates tasks that he divides up throughout the day to keep his mind and body busy. He carved a crucifix and built a desk to help pass the time. He also spent a lot of time thinking about the Irish men he had left behind, his family and others from his past.

“Then the Vincent’s came.”

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Chapter 14 – Cape Random/ Random Passage -- Lil, 20:03:25 03/14/09 Sat [14]
NEWFOUNDLAND/LABRADOR Coat of Arms, featuring “Red Indians” (Beothuks)

The chapter begins with Lavinia writing in her diary about the middle of the night trip she takes to the “big rock”. While there she remembers their first hours on the Cape and then realizes how easy it would be for her to just walk out in the ocean (escaping her pain).

Lavinia is able to keep a melancholy composure during the day, but her nights are filled with fitful writing (and crossing out of Thomas’ name) and repetitive soothing actions. (what she is going through and how she is dealing with her pain is so sad here)

Lavinia tries to avoid Thomas and Fanny. Fanny’s pregnancy seems to blossom overnight and speculation amongst the community about whether she or her mother will deliver first ensues.

Mary gives birth to a little girl, but seems detached from the child. Patience ends up caring for the baby – who doesn’t even get her name until months after her birth. We are foretold that Tessa “will be heard to remark that she was the only thing her mother had ever been known to give away.”

Tensions are high on the Cape. Mary and Lavinia are going at it about the school, lessons, etc. Others are concerned about the relationship between Thomas and Fanny – they aren’t seeing a relationship and are concerned about their pushing the two to marry. (The constant discussion of Fanny & Thomas is making Lavinia nuts!)

The Charlotte Gosse arrives delivering Jane back “home” with her new husband, Dolph Way. The news about the recent deaths is broken to Jane and Mary makes fast work of putting Dolph to work carrying items to the house. As the news is being given to Jane, Peter Vincent returns over the hill. Peter hears the news about Thomas and Fanny and physically attacks Thomas. Peter is dragged away kicking and screaming and Sarah profusely apologizes for her son’s behavior.

We learn that Emma is living in St. Johns and has no plans of returning to the Cape. She sent a gift for her “mudder”. The gift is a painted fan. The painted picture is of a woman in a swing, surrounded by flowers, and wearing a beautiful dress. The fan affects all the women, leaving Meg in tears and has Lavinia wondering later if women like that really exist and live like that. Lavinia resolves to leave the Cape in the fall.

A “Red Indian” approaches the group as they are collecting caplin. Fanny is there and it is evident that she and the Indian are “acquainted”. The Indian takes Fanny by the hand and they begin to walk away together. With the gift of timing, Peter arrives to see the two walking away. Peter and Mary attack the Indian. He is injured, and although Fanny seems to be calling for him (“Toma, Toma, Toma”), he leaves the beach. Peter chases after him. Fanny is keening away, and after further investigation it is found she is in labor. Fanny dies in childbirth and leaves a baby boy behind.

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Chapter 15 - Cape Random/ Random Passage -- Lil, 18:09:37 03/15/09 Sun [7]

This is a church in Lisbon named Corpo Santo. I am not 100% sure if it’s the same as the Seminary, but I am sure it's possible. *g*

The book now changes perspective, now moving to hear from Thomas and give us some background about him. Thomas is now writing in a book/journal with his thoughts.

“All the facts, but none of the truth” ,Thomas writes this in his journal. He has spent his time on the Cape recording everything from bird migrations to births and deaths, but nothing of the story of living on the Cape or of his life prior to coming to the Cape. He admits that even his name is a lie.

Thomas struggles to begin his truth telling, but starts with his birth and the origins of his father. His father was Irish, who came to Spain in search of his uncle, Thomas. His father was eight or nine and was taken in by an Irish priest, whose last name was Hutchings. Thomas is born in 1796 in the town of Abino, Spain. He was baptized Manuel Thomas Commins and was dedicated by his father to become a priest.

Once old enough, Thomas is sent to the seminary in Lisbon named Corpo Santo. It is an Irish Dominican seminary. At the seminary Thomas finds he is not up to par with his peers, not knowledgeable about mathematics, great thinkers, astronomy, etc. Thomas seems to know immediately that he will not be successful as a priest.

Although seemingly mediocre, Thomas enjoys life at the seminary. “For the first time I had space that was uncluttered by emotions. I had peace, silence, order and these, I decided, were the essentials of real freedom.” Thomas feels sure that he’ll stay there forever, but is instead sent to St. Patrick’s College in County Kildore, Ireland. There he was to continue his studies. Unfortunately, Thomas shares, he never finds the peace that he once had.

Thomas starts to see what is going on with the Irish people – overworked, ill, weak, and looking more aged than their years. After attending a funeral of the death of a mother and her child, Thomas comes upon a few men talking about the state of things and that maybe they should start “payin’ attention to what Mick Tracey’s been tellin’ us these five years.” Thomas resolves to find out what this Mick Tracey is all about. (my book says Mick and then says Mike....I am not sure which is correct)

Thomas finally meets up with Mr. Tracey and finds he’s part of the Land League. Thomas expects a raucous revolutionary, but finds a mild mannered, wise young man. After hours and hours of talking about Ireland’s history and the plans of the Land League, Thomas decides to join the group.

After not receiving responses from letters they wrote, Thomas convinces a group of Tracey’s men to meet with some of the landowners who will be in town. They called upon the home unannounced, and were received with hostility and violence. Presumably, three of the Land League men died that night and two others were seriously injured.

Thomas left the next morning. Father Francis tells him to change his name and his ways so that he is never connected to the violence that night.

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Chapter 13 Sorry I'm late posting this, it was one of those mornings -- Carla, 09:19:04 03/14/09 Sat [19]
It is not unheard of for polar bears, trapped on ice flows, to find themselves carried down the coast and then grounded in Newfoundland. Here's a story from last March of a sighting in a community on the same coast of Newfoundland where Cape Random is located. Polar Bear sighting

The sickness leaves the Cape, and Thomas withdraws from the community and stops teaching Charlie and Patience. Lavinia is puzzled and hurt. She finds herself between worlds -- not fitting in with Meg, Sarah and Mary, nor with Lizzie or the younger children.

Lavinia describes a picture from the volume of Shakespeare to Patience, this evolves into a nightly ritual with Charlie reading, Ned memorizing and then later declaiming lines at various points during his day, and Fanny listening from a corner. Lavinia remarks to herself that Fanny has "lost her looks." Lavinia and Ned regain the old easiness of the relationship.

Storm after storm buries the Cape in snow. The church walls collapse under it's weight. Annie decides she will fish with the men in the spring. Sarah is not coping well with Josh's death, forgetting he's gone and having to be told repeatedly. When the seals come in, the men, except Ned, have a newfound caution on the ice. Only Frank and Joe go swiling. Ned tells stories of a big white bear, which the others discount as his fancy.

Lavinia finds herself uncomfortable in Thomas' presence when he visits Ben and goes next door. Isaac is finally doing better, and he and Lavinia head to the beach to see how Ned and "the Three Kings" are making out in getting the boat out of the ice and snow. Isaac spends the walk telling his aunt his plans to build a house and marry Rose Norris. Lavinia thinks that she will be the only one left alone.

Chaos greets them at the beach, with Ned being attacked by a polar bear. Isaac rushes to help his father while Lavinia goes for help, her first thought is to reach Thomas. They all rush to the beach, where Isaac is already dead. Mary attacks the bear with an ax and Thomas drives a pitchfork in it's chest. After it lumbers off, injured, Mary curses Thomas for allowing the gun to be removed from the community.

Lavinia and Patience lay Isaac out, while the other women tend to Ned down in the store. Thomas comes to sit with Isaac and Lavinia takes a step towards him to offer comfort, but stops herself. She goes to the store, where the women have been working all night trying to save Ned. Mary hasn't spoken a word. When Ned finally comes to, Mary reassures him Isaac is fine. As Mary begins to cry, Ned tells her "you're one lovely woman," and dies.

In her grief, Mary wanders the Cape for three days raging and cursing before she finally can go on no longer. She comes back to the house, pulls out her bundle and inspects it before putting it away again. She comes to Lavinia and asks who has made Fanny pregnant. "Thomas," is Lavinia's response.

Mary forces Thomas to marry Fanny, who seems to be in a trance throughout the miserable event. Mary begins to order Thomas, who tells her they will not be moving in with her and she will not have the bossing of him. Lavina takes cold comfort in the fact Fanny and Thomas will not be sleeping next door to her.

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Chapter 12 -- Carla, 20:12:27 03/12/09 Thu [16]
This is off-topic, but as we're discussing Newfoundland I'd like to ask you all to keep the 18 oil rig workers whose flight went down in the north Atlantic yesterday in your thoughts. They're wearing 24-hour survival suits, so there is still some hope. So far, only one man has been found alive. The search continues, but with the frigid water and rough conditions time is running out.

For years, Meg, Sarah and Annie have taken turns caring for Ida Norris, who has descended into silence. One day, she begins playing pranks on her husband. Ida attacks Annie, bringing things to a head. Sarah, and Meg hold a “prayer meeting” to convince Annie to give up her wicked ways – Lavinia finds herself swept up in the “spirit of the hour.” Annie finally admits her sin and agrees to have nothing more to do with Frank. In a flash-forward, we learn that Annie takes on men’s work over the years, even going fishing. When Ida Norris dies, Annie, who is by then 38, takes off her men’s clothing and proposes to Frank.

We get a glimpse of Thomas in the school room staring, “much against his will” at Lavinia’s bed. The next day, Thomas doesn’t show up for lessons, leaving one and all bereft. He arrives late, doesn’t knock and asks if Fanny ever comes to school. He looks ill and Lavinia shoos the children out. He mutters to himself in a foreign language and is about to tell Lavinia something when Meg interrupts them. Lavinia is upset at not knowing if Thomas cares about her and writes a list of all she knows about him. She wonders if there is something between Thomas and Fanny.

The fine weather continues until just before Christmas; Lavinia feels she’s making progress with the children and Christmas is enlivened by a performance by the children. Lavinia alone is miserable, watching Thomas’ every move.

A feeling of apprehension covers the whole community in the new year. There is no snow, just a bitter cold that seeps through walls and doors not insulated by snow banks. A ‘plague’ strikes the Cape, and those not on death’s door work themselves to the bone caring for the ill. In the end, Josh, Mattie (Joe & Lizzie’s little girl) and Moses (Ned and Mary’s youngest) die and Patience goes blind. The others recover, but slowly.

Every family huddles within itself, Sunday services are stopped and the bitter cold, but no snow, continues. Lavinia vows to have no more dreams of a better or different life.

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Chapter 11 -- In which our heroine finally grows up! -- Carla, 20:39:30 03/11/09 Wed [19]

It’s a glorious summer and the young people of the Cape, now grown to their late teens, begin to be aware of each other as more than playmates. Lavinia is happy, but having repressed her self for so long is unable to admit to it, even in her journal. She does write, however, that she is content to “bide here.” We are told that she abandons her prolonged childhood and begins to list all sorts of things, people, places and creatures in her journal.

Meg convinces the others to begin building a church and picks out a spot visible from the ocean on either side of the Cape.

Lavinia pictures in her head the different ‘maps’ of the Cape held in the minds of the men, women and children and the paths connecting them. She muses on the fact that Annie and Lizzie have both already left the world of the children for that of the women, and Jane and Emma are on the brink. She still feels she hasn’t made the transition fully.

Emma and Jane decide to go to St. John’s to look for work. Lavinia feels they are truly going to look for husbands. They leave with Capt. Brennan in the fall.

Ben has enclosed a new schoolroom, and to celebrate this, the good fishery of the summer and say farewell to Jane and Emma they have a party – in Newfoundland it would be called a “time.” There is plenty to eat and Ned organizes singing and dancing. Emma and Jane tease Lavinia, telling her she should come to St. John’s with them, as the only man on the Cape to “set her hat for” is Thomas. To divert their talk, and prove she’s not the old maid she fears, she jumps up and joins the dancing between Thomas and Frank Norris. She feels a frisson of excitement at holding the men’s hands. That night, in bed alone, she longs for a man to join her.

When school begins in the fall, Thomas pays an unexpected visit to the schoolroom and offers to help. He comes back the next day and offers to read to the children each morning. He stays after he finishes reading, answering questions and helping out. Lavinia trys to get information from Ned on Thomas: his age, where he’s from, to no avail. When Ned teases her about wanting Thomas, Lavinia tells him she doesn’t like the man to avoid sparking gossip.

Lavinia teaches Mary how to count at Mary’s request. She refuses the offer of being taught how to read, deeming it useless. Mary tells Lavinia not to trust Thomas, saying there is “something not right, something dark” about him.

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Chapter 10 -- I have a busy morning tomorrow, so thought I would post tonight rather than leaving it for mid-afternoon tomorrow -- Carla, 19:48:25 03/10/09 Tue [15]
Common murres or turrs (also known as common guillemots). They are very tasty roasted in the oven and served with gravy and cooked vegetables, just as you would prepare a roast beef.

These two were tangled in some netting and rescued by guests on a Nat'l Geographic cruise in Labrador.

School is in, but most of the children attend sporadically or under duress; Lavinia is tired of the other adults telling her what she should be teaching.

The women and older children set out to spend a day egg-hunting on Turr Island. When one of Mary’s small boys walks into the water after the boat, Thomas rescues him and then climbs into the boat himelf. Lavinia finds herself studying Thomas, who is in an unusually good mood. He soon returns to his usual dour self. Lavinia writes a good deal about Thomas in her journal after the day trip, she seems to be attracted to him, although probably wouldn’t put it that way herself.

Lavinia, Fanny, Rose and Thomas find two dead men inside a cave on the island. The rest of the time on the island is taken up with talk and speculation about who the men could be and how they came to be stranded there.

On the trip home, they sing a plaintive song and Lavinia finds herself half-asleep in the prow of the boat in a “perfect moment” and “begins to make peace with the place.” When the boat hits the beach, she goes straight to her bed, only to wake later in the night and go to the beach to write a “confused account of the day.”

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Checkmate Discussion Hijack!! -- Lil, 16:12:29 03/10/09 Tue [6]
Hello everyone! I wanted to remind you that in just over two weeks we will begin the Checkmate discussion (March 29th). I am still in need of three more volunteers to round out the discussion summary schedule. If you can help out please post here or email me (I can supply the email if you need it).

Thanks!!

Here's the schedule right now:

March 29th – Apr 4, Part 1 Chapter 1-6 (DENISE)

April 5 – 11, Part 2 Chapter 1 – 6 (ELAINE)

April 12 – 18, Part 2 Chapter 7 – 9/Part 3 Chapter 1-3

April 19 – 25, Part 3 Chapter 4 – 9 (PEGGY)

April 26 – May 2, Part 4 Chapter 1 – 6 (CINDY B.)

May 3 – 9, Part 4 Chapter 7 – 9/Part 5 Chapter 1 – 3

May 10 – 16, Part 5 Chapter 4 – 9

May 17 – 23, Part 5 Chapter 10 – 13

(I'll fill in whatever week is left after everyone has chosen their dates)

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- I've already started the chapter summaries - didn't want to have to rush the job! (NT) -- Denise, 16:44:24 03/10/09 Tue
- Ohhhh I wish wish wish I could join in with you all but I can be there in spirit I guess! Have fun with the discussion. (NT) -- Tracy, 18:00:27 03/10/09 Tue
- Okey-dokey. Better get on it then. Thanks, Nalana! (NT) -- E, 06:03:10 03/11/09 Wed
- If you need me to do a second section, just let me know. (NT) -- E, 16:29:59 03/11/09 Wed
- Thanks for doing this, Nalana. As Elaine said, if you need to double up, count me in too. (NT) -- PeggyB, 19:30:20 03/11/09 Wed

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