For the month of May I will be participating in the TBR Pile Read-a-long. I have had Masque of the Read Death for soooo long and this is the perfect opportunity to get it read. If you are interested in signing up hop over to Bookish Comforts 🙂
Here is the discussion schedule from Bookish Comforts:
5/3: Chapters 1-8(hosted @ Bookish)
5/10: Chapters 9-14 (hosted @ Bookish Comforts)
5/17: Chapters 15-20 (hosted @ Bookish)
5/24: Chapters 21-27 (hosted by @ Bookish Comforts)
Wrap-up:
5/25: Favourite quotes and moments, reflections, review and a place for YOU to link up your review/thoughts! (posted at @ Bookish and @ Bookish Comforts)
I will be posting weekly on this page with my thoughts and whatever else that creeps up throughout the readalong 😀
Chapters 1-8 Questions & Answers:
1) Araby says that “if you have enough money, you can forget about death and disease for a few hours”. (p.5) Do you see parallels of this privilege in present day? Do we have our own forms of Debauchery Clubs around the world?
I definitely see parallels in present day. I think “Hollywood” and the ultra rich definitely is a form of Debauchery Club-a lot of things can be purchased.
2) Why do you think the mask production factory was burnt down? Was it simple “malcontent” as Elliot remarks?
I think it was burnt down because of control. I think that the Prince wants to keep society the way it is.
3) Have you read Edgar Allen Poe’s “The Masque of the Red Death”. How does it compare so far?
I haven’t read Edgar Allen Poe’s version but I am planning on it at some point through this read a long!
4) When trying to convince Araby to join his cause, Elliott calls her “the scientist’s tragic daughter” (p.66) Do you think Araby’s character is indeed tragic? If so, why?
I think Araby’s character is tragic for sure. It is already said that she was going to commit suicide and I think she is deeply depressed about her brother. Everything about her screams tragic actually, she doesn’t seem to care if she lives or dies.
5) Araby often talks about suicide (we learn that she even contemplated jumping off the rooftop before). She seems broken and without hope, and often acts like she doesn’t care if she lives or dies. Do you think that’s really the case? Or is it a desperate call for attention? Is oblivion really what she’s looking for? Or maybe she just desperately wants to be noticed and loved?
Oh wow… that’s my answer for question 4 lol. I really don’t think she cares right NOW if she lives or dies, I can see that changing further along though. But… on the other hand I’m torn by that because she continues to wear her mask, if she really didnt care I would think she would take it off.
6) Now that Araby handed over the blueprints to Elliott, what do you think is going to happen? Do you think she can trust him?
I do NOT think she can trust Elliott. Bad, bad things are going to happen. I think he is in cahoots with the Prince.
7) William or Elliott? Have you picked your team yet? 🙂
William is my team !! I don’t like Elliott, he freaks me out… creepy fellow.
Chapters 9-14 Questions & Answers:
1. Why do you think the Prince summoned Elliot and Araby to his castle?
I think he did it to see if they were in cahouts together. I think he probably suspects they are playing a part.
2. Were you surprised to learn that Araby’s mother had been held by the Prince during those 2 years? Does it change your opinion of her character?
It actually really surprised me! I think it changes my opinion a bit but I’m pretty indifferent to her altogether.
3. April is not at the Prince’s castle – where do you think she is?
I have no idea. Locked up somewhere is my guess. Or maybe hidden in The Debauchery Club by one of those creepy men.
4. In these chapters we have begun to see more of Elliot’s character. He has become more aggressive – holding Araby out above the crocodile infested waters, and told her that he falling in love with her but, in the same breath, not to ever trust him. What do you make of this character and this mixed messages he is sending?
I have no idea what to think of him. He still creeps me out and I don’t trust him but I really don’t know what his true colors are.
Ok, so the Read-along is over and I’ve failed miserably! I just didn’t get addicted to this like everyone else did! I will still be reading it but clearly I wasn’t a good participant 😛 Maybe next time! Stay tuned sometime in June for my review 🙂
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