4th YEAR
Semester 1
Semester 1
YOUR COMMENTS are to be posted here.
September 22 Parts 1, 2
September 30 Part 3
October 7 Part 4
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September 30 Part 3
October 7 Part 4
October 14 Part 5
October 21 Part 6
I’ve just read the first 100 pages of this book and I want to tell some words about it. I am interested in art and this theme attracts my attention. I watched a lot of films about the lost pictures where the plot is always tangled and captivating, so I expect this from the “Headlong”. The novel is not very difficult to read, but there are a lot of facts and dates about paintings and artists, sometimes it is really boring to keep everything in memory trying to understand the main idea of this information. I think it is not a good idea to put a lot of long descriptions of nature and pictures at the beginning of the novel, but still I believe that this book will show us how the plot can be unpredictable. Now I can’t appreciate the main characters and their behavior because the author hasn’t revealed them yet so I don’t sympathize with anyone.
ОтветитьУдалитьI found some phrases and expressions from this text, which attracted my attention because of its sense. They made me deeply think. For example:
“No one can own a work of art. You can own the oak, you can own the the paint. You can’t own the shimmer of the green, the comicality of the pouted lips, the departure of the ship.”
“…if you go to bed filled with doubts and dismay, there’s a chance that the metamorphoses of the night may change them into certainties and satisfactions”.
Also I’ve known some new terms as iconology and iconography. I suppose it’s very interesting to glean facts and symbols trying to unriddle something.
Thank you Luiza, and I like these 2 ideas as well!!!!!
УдалитьTonight I`d like to speak on the new book we are reading, "Headlong" by Michael Frayn.
ОтветитьУдалитьThe number of books nowadays greatly exceeds that of days to read them all. So, what with this particular piece of literature? I`ve read only 100 pages and can`t say whether one should read "Headlong" up to the end, but nevertheless I can say if, at least, the beginning of the book is worth reading.
The main characters of the book are two people, Martin and Kate. Both of them are experts in art, but even scholars need rest, don`t they? Thus, both of them are going to the countryside having taken their daughter Tilda with them. But all of a sudden, a simple trip turns into an amazing discovery. The lost masterpiece by Bruegel, "The Hunters in the Snow" and can you guess where? In a breakfast room in the house of the Churts, local freaks who used the canvas to collect soot. To Martin the authenticity of the picture is of no doubt but what exactly is depicted in the painting? Is the picture the missing piece opening Bruegel`s great series "The Twelve Months"? Which moth exactly is depicted? These questions bother Martin and he begins his investigation.
I think after having read 100 pages one has the right to speak about the book on the whole, and so I`m going to do. The first thing I like about "Headlong" is its humor. There are extremely humorous episodes, for instance, what looks comical is the rapidity with which Martin changes his opinion towards Tony Churt: at first he called the old man "Lord" but after having discovered the painting Martin began to hate Churt and passionately desire "The Hunters in the Snow" to become his. Then, the events are quite easy to follow and the ideas in the book seem logical and transparent which doesn`t break the dynamism of the narration.
But the main question is the following: what does the author imply by the story? Michael Frayn shows us hesitations characteristic of man - whether to hand the canvas over to a museum or sell it? Moral duty or money? Whether to tell everything to the wife, the mother of your children or act on your own? Beyond doubt, a difficult choice. But it`s the choice that establishes a man as a man. Thus, at the end we`ll see what choice Martin will take.
Thank you Andrew! well, yes, the writer quite well depicts the floating and fleeting character of our thoughts, a good insight into psychology it is....as well as into the pictures' spaces with their landscapes and subjects and hidden mysteries, right?!
ОтветитьУдалитьTo be honest, I do not like art very much, at least, that kind of art which it's so difficult to participate in ( unlike, for example, computer games which are in my opinion fascinating). But a modern educated man should have a basic notion of every sphere of life and thus, I have got to reading "Headlong" by Michael Frayn.
ОтветитьУдалитьThe book is quite a challenge to me for the novel contains names of many places and, besides, there are not only English words but French too.
Nevertheless, I've read 100 pages and managed to catch the main idea: two experts in art, Martin and Kate retired to the countryside and made their new neighbours' acquiantances. Later on this acquiantance led to an amazing discovery:the Churts possessed a lost picture by Bruegel! But how to deprive them of the canvas? That's a question.
However, I do not completely understand who Martin is. Is he a real scientist? Michael Frayn depicts him as a comical kind of scientist, it seems to me Frayn may have wanted to show how strange and ridiculous researchings and researchers may be, how many hardships and temptations they have to overcome. If I were a scientist, I would certainly go mad. Why so much bothering about a picture? Can't understand.
Sasha, that's an interesting point of view! Thank you!!!
ОтветитьУдалитьI expect to see your comments on Story 3 pretty soon!!!
Part 1-2
ОтветитьУдалитьThis term we began reading of a novel «Headlong» by English writer Mikle Frayn. I have not heard about this writer before and have never read his works. But to tell the truth, beginning with first pages I was taken with images, created by the author.
Firstly, description of travelling throw rural landscapes touch me to the quick. As I am fond of long journey in a car and look at landscapes flowing behind the window, especially in the country.
Secondly, reading the book I found very extraordinary thoughts about village. The main character Kate considered that real country begin only after they have driven for at least couple of hours. Real country is a place without people who are disconcertingly urban, with fragrance of liberty and stink of decaying vegetables. I was interested in some thoughts about iconography and iconology. It turned out quite difficult for me to understand differences.
Also I was touched by moving relations between Martin and Kate. Martin loves his wife even after she had a baby. Her appearance was spoiled, but Martin said: « So I am getting fat, like her and Tilda. All right». Their family seemed to be the picture of happiness and calmness, until Martin saw Churt’s piece of art. All changed.
I do not like that fact that Martin wanted to deceive Tony Churt, because at the beginning of the novel, he did not look like swindler or adventurer. And the most awful thing is that Martin committed to caution to step over the moral line. Although I can understand him, because he was a man of art, connoisseur of his field of activity. And such talented people can not keep their temper, when see object of adoration. It is insolent, that Churt took Martin on trust. It seems to me that Tony failed in his business because of his trusting nature. He temps providence.
To cap it all I would like to say few words about language of the author. Of course it is a little difficult to read book in the original, but I enjoy it. Reading of this book is very useful for my vocabulary, because I found the majority of interesting words and phrases in this part of the novel.
The words and expressions that caught my eyes:
• To cast an eye over
• To be on maternity
• Underworld
• To be committed to caution
• To kill 2 birds with one stone
• To hold smb’s peace
• Bee in the bonnet
• To make haste
• To conceal from
• To work on problem
• Propensity to
Thank you Nastya for sharing your ideas and impressions! They sound interesting. But for grammar..........!!!!!!!
ОтветитьУдалитьPart 1-2
ОтветитьУдалитьSo, we started reading a new book called "Headlong". The author of it is an English writer Michael Frayn. To be honest, I have not heard of him before and have not read his works.
On reading 100 pages of this novel, I can say that the book is quite difficult for me. There we can see a lot of names, titles and various historical facts. It becomes clear that the book is dealing with painting and iconography. Frankly speaking, I know neither of them. So, I will have the additional difficulty, because I have to distinguish between truth and fictional facts.
This part of the novel was interesting, but not too exciting. Having read one piece of the book you can guess what will happen then. But thanks to the author, now I know a lot of interesting facts about Bruegel and his work. And knowledge will never be superfluous.
To talk about the plot of the book is too early, from my point of view. Actions are just beginning. Instead, I want to say that I like the author's style. The language is rather difficult because of the names, as I have already said, but in general Frayne describes everything very bright and vivid. I liked even to read descriptions of nature and Village, although sometimes I missed them reading other books.
Thank you, Anzhelika for sharing the things you like
Удалитьabout the book: the plot and the writer's manner of writing!
PART 3
ОтветитьУдалитьThe third part of the book was rather interesting for me. The only thing I did not like was the description of Giordano’s works. From my point of view, the author presents him and his art in a negative light. Reading the book, I imagined a mentally ill artist whose works deserve no respect. It is always unpleasantly for me to read such things about real people. But I hope that I just do not understand this place correctly.
It was very interesting to read about Martin’s thoughts. He worried about his future actions: where would he find money? What would he tell Kate? What would he do with picture? And so on. The description of these feelings turned out very plausible. I think everyone can see himself in this picture. When a man has a problem, a dream, a task, he behaves just this way.
And of course I like the relationships in the family of Martin and Kate. That fact that we saw their most terrible quarrel is amazing. They both behaved worthy, loved each other and were ready to compromise. I think it is signs of real love.
And I would like to draw your attention to some expressions which caught my eye:
- From different angles and viewpoints
- To launch boldly out into the deep waters
- Money came out of his ears
- To see right through smb
- Worth while
- To go phut
- With reluctance
- To stand guard
Interesting observations about the painter and the family's conflict over the arts!!!!
УдалитьAnother 100 page portion of Michael Frayn's "Headlong" and another heap of thoughts about what I have read. So, let's get it started.
ОтветитьУдалитьFirst, it needs to remember where at which point the narration stopped before. Martin was having a walk in the countryside and found himself near The Churts' mansion. At the beginning of the next part of the novel, Martin had a talk with Tony Churt; he informed the old man that a customer for the Giordano had been found, and that gave an impulse to Martin's plan: to play the role of a mysterious Belgian art lover having lots of money. But the main problem was where to get the money from and how to tell everything to Kate. The latter was carried out first and was not easy at all. Further on, Martin got himself to picking information on Bruegel and a sudden illumination occured to him: the Netherlandish painter's canvases hid some awful truth...
This time "Headlong" made me strain myself a little: many historical facts which it was difficult for me to sort out. Still, I liked Frayn's jokes about inquisitors: "Invite them round one evening...and we can...stoke up the fire and have an enjoyable evening together".
As I read this part of the book, I consulted Wikipedia and found out several interesting facts: "The Hunters in the snow" can be seen in certain films by Andrey Tarkovsky and Lars von Trier! Wouldn't have minded this fact if it hadn't been for SO famous names.
Now, what is the idea of this part? I think, it may be interpreted in the following way: the longer you hide anything from those you love, the more awful the revelation of it will be. And as for art problems of the extract, canvases are not what they seem to be to common folk. They may hide amazing things. Or awful. They like messengers, only ones very reluctant to tell what the message is.
Reading the chapter, I've realized that there are cases of metonymy scattered all over the book! "The Giordano", "the Sadeler", "the Lampsonius"...Not very important of course, but I'm glad to remember what it is.
There are some words and expressions I've found it useful to memorize:
- to make no bones about
- a contemporary
- a charade
- an informed eye.
So, that is all for now. Getting to work on the following part of the book. :)
Good extra facts!!! and the idea that "canvases are not what they seem to be to common folk...." could become even more obvious as the plot unfolds, so you can continue thinking it over!
Удалить"Анализ переводческих стратегий в романе М.Фрейна "Одержимый""
Удалитьhttp://vestnik.pstu.ru/_engine/get_file.php?f=2873&d=_res/fs/&p=file.pdf&n=%D8%E0%E9%F5%F3%F2%E4%E8%ED%EE%E2%E0%20%C0.%CC.%20%C0%CD%C0%CB%C8%C7%20%CF%C5%D0%C5%C2%CE%C4%D7%C5%D1%CA%C8%D5%20%D1%D2%D0%C0%D2%C5%C3%C8%C9%20%C2%20%D0%CE%CC%C0%CD%C5%20%CC.%20%D4%D0%C5%C9%CD%C0%20%AB%CE%C4%C5%D0%C6%C8%CC%DB%C9%BB
Part 4
ОтветитьУдалитьFrankly speaking, this part of the novel was very difficult! I reread it several times, especially some certain moments. It was not easy to follow the author’s thoughts (or to be more correct Martin’s thoughts).
On the one hand, there is one positive thing in the book which I like and I want to say “thanks” to the author for it. You can read the book without any additional knowledge. The author himself tells us about The Netherlands, its history and its important people. He describes every detail which is important for understanding the novel. You need not sit in the library or near the computer and wait the moment when you must consult a dictionary or a reference book on history, geography, art, or even physics (as it were when we read “Grace notes” by B.Maclaverty or “A history of the World in 10 ½ Chapters” by J.Barnes, for example).
But on the other hand, sometimes there appear doubts about truthfulness of the information because the author gives us the fact in a very subjective and emotional manner. Perhaps he tries to arouse our curiosity by doing it.
As for the plot of the book, here we see again Martin and his desperate efforts to prove the value and importance of the picture. It is interesting to read about it, to follow the thread of Martin’s thought and make sure with him that he found a real masterpiece. The whole situation is presented as trying to solve a great mystery, a real secret. And it's always exciting!
And I would like to draw your attention to some expressions which caught my eye:
- With the full agreement of smb;
- To run through smth in one’s mind;
- With a fresh eye;
- to get rid of smb, smth.
Lika, have you noticed any deep thoughts the writer wants the reader to see?
УдалитьThe part 3
ОтветитьУдалитьThe third part of the book impressed me very much, but I was impressed not by the majority of useful words, interesting information or language of the author, but a description of Martin and Kate relations. I liked that Kate did her bit in her husband’s idea. She supported him even in spite of that fact that he tried to conceal from her his working on the «his» picture.
Martin noticed that Kate looked through his books about Bruegel and it was strange. She never before checked up on him behind his back. Of course it happened because of Martin’s reticence and Kate was simply afraid that he stopped working on his book and that something may spoil their relations.
In this part the main characters were faced out first family quarrel. Before they got along it. It was his first crisis and the could keep their temper and came out of it. Kate is a really wise woman. I enjoy reading this book because the pages are full of family warmth, idyll and love.
The author pays his attention to description of the child ,Tilda. Martin always remembers about his daughter and noticed any changes in her behaving.
To tell the truth I do not like the attitude of the author to Giordano’s art. Every creator sees reality, myths or religious scene in different lights. And Giordano wanted to render his vision of some The Bible scenes.
The expressions that cought my eyes:
• Get a move on
• To be raped by
• To go phut
• Take the trouble
• Money come out of smb’s ears
Thank you, Nastya, for your evaluation of Part 3 and the ideas about the family relations in the framework of business each has as his own!
УдалитьStrange thing, but as I found out what the translation of the title of the book was, I was suprised. Don't know why but I expected the meaning of the word "Headlong" to be mysterious or strange in some way. So was my expression of Michael Frayn's work after having read first 100 pages of it as well. I thought that the novel would be full of things hardly understandable to me, a girl who is far from art. But on the contrary, the book appeared understandable and quite simple.
ОтветитьУдалитьIndeed, there's nothing complex about the plot yet: a husband and a wife went to the country and came across the painting which had been looked for for many years already. Of course Martin decided to take the canvas from the Churts, the very persons holding it and hand it over to a museum. Simple, isn't it? But on the other hand, a simple plot is often difficult to present. But in my opinion, Frayn has co-oped with the task. He filled the narration with Martin's thoughts, worries which allowed him to switch the reader's attention from plot which is simple to the character who is unique. It's simply wonderful. As for the idea of the novel, as I have understood from the first 100 pages, it's that of the marvellous power of art; isn't it incredible what opportunities for playing great games changing people and history art gives? What great riddles one may pass through time to his followers! I think it's just wonderful.
Can't wait to find out what will happen in the end.
As I continue reading "Headlong" by Michael Frayn, I do not stop wondering: where could the author have taken inspiration to compose so many humorous episodes? Even among scenes of terror and tyranism, Frayn manages to squeeze several jokes into the narration.
ОтветитьУдалитьThis chapter was quite difficult for me to read. There were many unknown words and I had to use a dictionary pretty vigorously ( what a marathon through its electronic pages it was! )
However, I managed to get the idea of the chapter: art, painting in particular, is an immense area for making up riddles for others to unfold, and that's how branches of science and knowledge are interconnected.
What I didn't like about the chapter is that there are tooh many names which the reader wouldn't remember but which slow the dynamics of the development of the events.
There are some and phrases I wanted to memorize:
- foreclosing on pictures
- census
- a breather
-to pay homage
Part 3
ОтветитьУдалитьThis part was read very quickly because now I can follow the development of the events. In my opinion, Martin is a simple man who is interested in art and history, his job is connected with such things that many people haven’t ever heard before. So he is not a typical swindler and crook who wants to deceive his neighbor and get some money. So it is very difficult for him to invent a believable story because he has never lied before. I think he is afraid that Tony will denounce him. But he makes a success and we can see the new episode and new role in his life.
First of all, I thought that Martin would often quarrel with his wife, because it was obvious that she was displeased with frequent changes in his mind. But I was wrong and here there is a perfect example of their relationship. They loved each other very much; they are people who know a lot of the same things, so she understands the importance of this situation in spite of this fact that it is very expensive plan for their family. They don’t look like people who only want to earn, art is a very meaningful part of their life.
In this part I like some phrases because they are colourful and I will use them in conversation with pleasure:
“to launch boldly out into the deep waters”
“money coming out of someone’s ears”
“to give a good spoonful of jam to sweeten the tiny pill”
“to be caught cheeting”
“fair enough”
Part 4
ОтветитьУдалитьThe author uses an interesting model of writing, that the events take turns Martin’s research, so here it is the description of Bruegel’s life again. The chapter is called “A hint of thunder” and it inspired me that maybe that time Martin would unriddle the puzzle.
He found a different information in different sourses, and it seemed that Bruegel was a very mysterious man. Frankly speaking, I don’t know many of these names and history has never been my favourite subject. There are a lot of details about the Netherlands and religion but there is no a gentle hint of the author’s opinion, just facts without any emotive word. To tell the truth, sometimes I looked aside and thought about some insignificant words, for example about the inquisition and their punishment. So it is a good “food for thought”.
As for me, to find so many facts from different books about this period is a VERY big labour-intensive work, so I admire his patience and perseverance. I like the idea of little walkers which tie together all Brugels’ pictures. I like to go to the galleries but so deep analysis of pictures is not for everyone’s mind.
Some expressions and ideas caught my eye:
“… in all his works more is always understood than is painted”
“to express what can only be implied”
“to have a stroke of luck”
“to make no bones about someone’s claim”
“ to get close to the edge of the dizzy precipice named You-can-fit-almost-anything-into-any-pattern-you-like-to-name”
Aren't "the inquisition and their punishment" important for understanding the plot and the writer's ideas?
УдалитьI understood it by reading the next chapter)
УдалитьI'm very glad to have finished 200 pages of Michael Frayn's "Headlong" and after such a toil, I want to tell you about my observations.
ОтветитьУдалитьI'd like to say that the first half of this part of the book was much less tense and thrilling than that of the first 100 pages. Family problems, a scandal, then historic details...The idea was difficult for me to grasp. However, I understood that Bruegel was quite a clever man and managhed to survive in the slaughter arranged by the Great Inquisition. He may have decided not to waste the life he won but to do something great, for instance, to reveal everything he had found out to his successors. What is it? I don't quite know yet...
If to talk about the upbringing value of the chapter, it seems to me that there's a eternal conflict displayed: how people are torn between money and their wish to cognize art.
Another idea of the chapter is that knowledge is hidden and it takes efforts to obtain it and to recognize its value and concept.
Sasha, you always spare the words!!!:) More detailed description of your ideas would be appreciated!
УдалитьPart 5
ОтветитьУдалитьIn the chapter named “The little walker” we can see how Martin was chasing up the picture. His efforts to find a little walker and confirm his guesses failed. Martin couldn’t see it again but his wife succeed in it by accident. At last I found the connection with the name of the book. Now that a calm peaceful man transformed to a HEADLONG fanatic. He even envied that his wife saw a picture. He thought about the “Merrymakers” as his own precious thing: “Up to now I was the sole interpreter of the picture, the only priest admitted to its mysteries. Now a second priest has arrived in the sanctuary”. He didn’t believe his wife that there weren’t any little walkers and decided that it was her misapprehension and only a cursory glance. To tell the truth, the more I read, the less I sympathize with the main character. I suppose, he is not afraid to spend all their money just only to get this picture. He didn’t think about his family. His blind trust in the originality of the picture provoked. Now lie is a usual thing for him, so he even ransack Churt’s workroom. If firstly I was interested in his research, now I feel only indignation.
I like some expressions from this part of the book, I found them quite interesting:
- to look with a different eye
- to make muddle with something
- to drive somebody to suicide
- donkey’s years
- to get a kick out of knocking someone off someone’s feet
Also some author’s ideas attracted my attention, I agree with these statements. The first one about women’s nature is charming, the two of them express the harsh reality and teach us not to be too trusting:
1) "I suppose what a woman always finds irresistible is feeling that a man’s really determined to have her"
2) "How soft people are inside their hard shells!"
3) "Put not trust in princes"
Luisa, that's interesting that the word-combinations that caught your eye have some implications about the ideas hidden and cloaked by the writer!
ОтветитьУдалитьPart 4
ОтветитьУдалитьI have read one more part of the novel «Headlong». And I would like to say that it was realy difficult to read because There were a lot of historical events, names and dates in this part. Sometimes it was impossible to follow the author’s thoughts. However, I was taken with these pages.
I am interested in history and this book is rich repository of knowledge. It seems to me that when I have read this part I enriched my mind with new information, which is really useful for me and I have a firm conviction that it will help me to make a favorable impression on literate and educated people in future.
Moreover, I found a lot of thoughts to speculate upon. For example, It was interesting for me to read about the time of papal inquisition and about elusive Bruegel. By the way, Bruegel «adds souse» to the book, because he is like earl Monte Kristo – nobody knows who he is. Bruegel could survive at that awful time of religious persecution. It is possible he could mix very well with people of all classes and it helped him.
I am fond of that Michael Frain puts his heart and soul into writing of every page. And it is evident, because we see how much efforts were made.
As for main characters they are always at their best. Martin strikes me his working capacity, purpose and passion. He is ready to go behind new catalogues, to read more books and look at the majority of pictures. I am admired by the Martin’s traits of character.
The most interesting words and phrases for me are the following:
• To check the prise
• Be censored
• Dynasty
• To inform upon
• Smb’s path were converging
• Repentant
• Religious bigot
• To indulge smb vices
• heretic
Thank you, Nastya, that's interesting that "elusive Bruegel" arouses your curiosity!!
ОтветитьУдалитьHeadlong, pp 200 - 250
ОтветитьУдалитьHere is my evaluation of pp 200 - 250 of Michael Frayn`s "Headlong".
This part of the book tells of the birth of the Martin - Kate - Laura triangle and the appearance of a new character on stage. Martin had to take his wife into the investigation and went to the house of the Churts to see "Merrymakers" and study the canvas. He had found out that Tony had taken the canvas away to apply paint stripper to it and was afraid of what could happen to the picture. But the reality was a little different. Tony had taken "Merrymakers" to Martin`s wife, for her to give old Churt her expert opinion. Meanwhile, Martin had undeliberately affected Laura in such a way that she tried to seduce him. While Laura and Martin were in the Churts` bedroom, a local rector man came and prevented them from committing an adultery but Martin had to retire home.
To tell the truth, I was very glad to find out that this part of the book tells not of pictures but more about relations between people and their feelings. Of course, it`s not the main line in the novel but I suppose, it is essential for any piece of literature because canvases can`t move and all in all, it`s people we watch acting over them. What these 50 pages teach us is that there are always unexpected things that complicate everything and make the course of events deviate from the way we want them to follow.
From this part of the book I learned several words and expressions, here they are:
- to commit a sedition
- beyond any reasonable doubt
- to encourage denunciation
- an accomplice
Part 6
ОтветитьУдалитьIn the next chapter “The first shipment”, we can follow Martin’s search for the painting in progress. Now it becomes evident Laura’s attitude to him. She can’t even imagine that his frequent visits seem only to be his preoccupation about the picture. In his turn, Martin doesn’t understand that it looks like an adultery. He doesn’t think about the feelings of others, he only uses the ideal moment. He has gone so far, that he wanted to make use of a woman in love. I suppose now Martin doesn’t need in any evidence of his theory, he just wants to have this picture and that’s all. There are some examples from the text:
“Oh, my God. In the warm and the dry, presumably. How warm? How dry? Is there any check on the humidity…?”
His fanaticism is disgusting and I think this story won’t have any happy end. I don’t sympathize with anyone. His wife is too kind-hearted and silent and I don’t understand what she is waiting for, everything is obvious. Tony Churt is greedy and stingy; his desire to swindle the law unpleasantly surprises me. And also his wife is trying to destroy someone else's family. But maybe I am wrong in my opinion about their characters and they show at their best.
Some expressions that caught my eye:
- The die is cast
- To be going bananas
- A great ruction
- To try to close someone’s mind
- To be a fool to play poker with smb
- To deliver oneself to smb’s hands
- To get rid of smth
- Let’s not fart around
- To wait with sinking heart
In this chapter of Michael Frayn`s "Headlong" we get to know, that Martin decided to bring his plan into effect; he went to Tony Churt and said to him that he would sell "Helen" for him, the partners decided on sharing the percentage from the deal. However, this put relations between Martin and Kate at stake - she got very much worried about Martin`s having told her nothing. It was with much tears, sadness and difficulty that the marrieds regain understanding between them. Later on we follow Martin`s investigation on Bruegel`s life and find out certain facts about the painter and the whole Netherlands` life.
ОтветитьУдалитьThis chapter was quite difficult for me to read as far as there were many historic facts which are hard for me to digest. Still, I sympathized Kate and worried about her knowing nothing about Martin`s plans; I eagerly followed the course of their talk on the matter of selling "Helen" and getting money from this deal. Besides, I`m intrigued with the title "A Hint of Thunder", it`s very interesting for me to find out what kind of thunder the author talks about.
As for the main idea of the chapter, I think one should use any possibility to inform his beloved people about plans and intentions, and they should act together for pursuing elusive things it`s possible to lose what one already has.
Words and expressions:
- the deviousness of the heart
-a parodist
- something precious has slipped away from us forever
-quixotic trimmings
-a mortgaged child
Part 5
ОтветитьУдалитьI have already read the biggest part of the book and I can say that the main character is coming down in my opinion more and more.
Firstly, he showed himself how a man who may be simply hung up about some idea. He is ready not eat and sleep to achieve the result. Of course it does not characterize him as a bad character, may be even vice versa.
It seems to me that in this part of the book he is on a slippery slope. He began to be interesting in Laura, that is not allowed married man, all the more when he has a child.
I would like to say that in this novel all characters are chips of the same block. I thought that Martin did ill with Tony, as at the beginning of the book Tony was represented like poor, stupid villager. But here we understand that he also deceived Martin, he tried to avoid inheritance tax. Besides, it turned out that he beat Laura, and possibly he drove his previous wife to suicide. But it is not the end. Martin got to know that Tony had forged the pictures. He tried to pass his pictures off masterpieces of ancient artists!!!
But Laura also was not holy. She tempted another’s husband open as the day. In my opinion it is not admitted. What I like in Laura is her mind. Yes, the author presents her as intellectual lightweight woman, Especially it showed her favorite exclamation «WOW». But she is very sly, as she tried to interest Martin not with her appearance, but she wanted to exсite his pity. As I think every man wants to fell himself a hero, a defender, and she stroke the right chord .
I do not like some moments in this part, especially I was irritated by that fact that Martin was jealous of his picture for his wife. In fact I understand him, because sometimes such feelings visited me.
I would like to add that this part impressed me very much. I liked some Martin’s thought. For example «I am overwhelmed by the perpetual load of decisions and judgements to be made, swaying and teetering like the pilled chairs and china on the tightrope walker’s head» p. 213
Words and expressions which caught my eyes:
• To be on to smb
• To let out a mouthful of smoke
• To drive to suicide
• To take aback
• To act on all smd’s impulses
• To kneel down
• To bequeath
• To be baffled.
Part 6
ОтветитьУдалитьWell, in the chapter which is called «The First Shipment» I made sure that Martin is not goodie by a long way. Besides that he was almost untrue to wife, he showed himself as a coward, as he did a bunk and left Laura alone to deal with problems. He seized the moment, love of the woman to be an owner of the picture.
In the scene where Martin went home after his gallant adventures, Kate’s behavior impressed me. She knew that her husband was face to face with Laura at her house and she was calm. They began to discus the art, Martin’s picture. They both are men of art, and all events in their life they connect with art. Their conversation was very informative and I liked some phrases. For example «isn’t what people do more important in the end than what they feel? Isn’t what they leave behind more important than what they were?» p258. This phrase made me to think.
So I would like to repeat ( I wrote it in last post) that all characters are chips of the same block. And it seems to me that only Tilda is an only sound man in this book.
It is very interesting to trace the changes which happened with Martin. At the beginning of the novel he was a square John and than became a headlong .
I was surprised very much when Tony’s brother appeared. He turned out the copy of Tony, not only in appearance, but in the character. At last some disturbing events appeared.
I would like to add that in spite of my previous thoughts now I sympathize Kate and I hope that my opinion will not change.
Well, To read and understand this part was not difficult for me, because all facts are from common life without some historical notes.
Some expressions that caught my eye:
• To do bunk
• To reconnoiter
• A mantrap
• To ride out
• To put the wind up
• Great bosom pal
• Ancestral