It was Litlove's post that made me buy Deborah Lawrenson's atmospheric The Lantern, a novel set in France with a nod in the direction of Daphne du Maurier's Rebecca. And she is right, only a third of the way into the novel and I am already contemplating making Provence a travel destination (if only). This is a story that you can not only see but smell, so hugely evocative is it. And it's thanks to Carl that I've picked it up sooner rather than later in order to join in on a group read. So, without further ado, here are a few questions he's set for us to answer for the first third of the novel.
1. This may seem like an obvious opening question, but what do you think of The Lantern thus far? I'm very much enjoying it.
It's a perfect fall read and nicely escapist yet not at all fluffy. Lawrenson is a good writer and almost from the first page I've fallen into the story. She knows how to pull the reader along and curiosity makes the pages turn quickly.
2. The book appears to be following the experiences of two different women, alternating back and forth between their stories. Are you more fond of our main protagonist's story or of Benedicte's or are you enjoying them both equally?
At first I was more interested in Eve's story as not much is revealed about Benedicte initially. She hints at things but as she tells more and more of her story it is becoming more interesting. It's obvious something awful happened, but I can only imagine what. With an awful brother like Pierre and his violent proclivities I'm starting to worry a little.
3. The Lantern is a book filled with descriptions of scents. How are you liking (or disliking) that aspect of the book? How do you feel about the lavish description of scents? How are the short chapters working for you?
The short chapters are actually pretty nice since my reading tends to come in fits and starts. I've been reading this on my bus commute to and from work, so I can easily set the book aside and pick it up later without losing the thread of the story. I love the descriptions. I think that is actually the best aspect of the story for me with the suspense coming in closely second. I really like being able to visualize a story and there is plenty in this one to create a vivid mental image. There is so much lushness to this story I may well have to share a few teasers at some point.
4. How would you describe the atmosphere of Parts 1 and 2 of The Lantern?
Pretty much from the first page there is a dark broody feel to the story, though you don't quite know what to expect at first. Lawrenson's dropping in all sorts of hints, though, in both stories, that something bad has happened, which I am guessing will twine together at the end. It's fall, the summer visitors have all gone, and Les Genévriers is a small hamlet tucked away in the south of France. The mistral blows in and the days become darker sooner. And now there is word of a young woman's body having been found along with the uncertainties that Eve maybe doesn't know Dom as well as she thought she did. Just what is buried beneath the swimming pool is making me wonder. It's becoming just the tiniest bit menacing.
5. Has anything surprised you to this point? Anything stand out?
The murder surprised me a little--did I miss a reference to a missing woman earlier in the story? So far nothing has been shocking or too surprising. I wasn't expecting Pierre to be quite as nasty as he is turning out to be. Whenever a character mistreats small animals you know you're in for a rocky ride.
6. What are your feelings about Dom in these first two sections of the story?
He's very vague and mysterious, isn't he? I'm not exactly sure what Eve sees in him, but I don't feel like I have a very full picture of him really.
Bonus question: Did anyone else hear "Last night I dreamt I went to Manderley again" ringing in their ears through the first sections of the book?
This story just oozes references to Rebecca, doesn't it? Lawrenson does give it her own slant but so many small details remind me du Maurier's classic it's hard not to have it in mind. Rebecca is a great story (one of my favorites), so I can see how it would provide inspiration to other authors, but I'll be curious to see how Lawrenson makes this one her own. I'm fully expecting it to have a twist that sets it apart, so we'll see if that happens.
This week I'll be reading parts three and four and will be back next Monday with more questions.