Week 8, July 24-30, Book 3, Chapters 6-8

[RA]

"No entertainment is so cheap as reading, nor any pleasure so lasting." --Lady Mary Wortley Montagu

[RA]

I was sad when I finished reading the last page of this book. Sad for Tom’s loss. Sad that Father Peregrine never got the chance to give his last speech, one he worked so hard to do. Sad that life at the abbey would never be the same.

[DiggerAdelgren]

That was a sad ending, but I could see the stroke coming from the way he was getting so frustrated over the speech. They shouldn't have given him so long to prepare.

And to not tell Tom that Abott P. was in his "death rattle" stage-when they knew it wasn't going to be long for him to die-how cruel. It is so very difficult to see someone at the end of their life. I've watched the stages and had to sit half the night with one family until the man passed away. (He happened to be my neighbors grandfather-who wasn't with the family when he died) And the many others that were within days or hours of dying when I visited. I had hospice training. I'm just so glad that Tom couldn't go through with it. What a thing to have on your conscience-murdering a dying man.

And again-why did they wait until he died before contacting his daughter and family? Thankfully he had Tom-what a great friend!

(Hey, I replied on the wrong week so there's more on last week's reply) Digger

I'm excited for the next book! When do we begin? Oh, and what are we reading?

[Kellieara]

I have to come clean here....I have not even started on the last section of this book! I have read it before, so I remember basically what happens, but I can't remember enough details to discuss intelligibly with you all.

A week's vacation....without the kids no less...was just too much for my undisciplined self, I guess. I took a new book, House by Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti (freaky!), with me and devoured it in just a couple of days, and that has been the extent of my reading pretty much. It is just sad, sad, sad that my summer has been so busy.

So anyway, I just wanted to say "hi" and confess my book club shortcomings. I'm glad that everyone enjoyed this one so much!

[Francesca]

I have no idea if any of you will read this, but I had to post in honor of a most wonderful book.

I did finish it late... yesterday as a matter of fact. The move last weekend proved to be more exhausting than I had thought it might be.

I was glad that Tom could not follow through on his promise. At the last we had a "sanctity for life" moment... after the most distressing promise was made, this section was quite a relief!!!

I was crushed with Abbot Chads conversation with Tom. What a whitless man -- I thought it sad that a better man did not take Peregrine's place.

The moment with Father Theodore was beautiful... I went from crying to laughing over the part of pulling straw from each others hair lest they be suspected for lovers. What a fresh ending.

I am still left with the question of why the author just dropped Melissa and her family and never revisted them. Strange, huh?!

I will write you all as soon as beccalou lets me know what the new book is.

Cesca