Angela's Character

Use this forum to discuss the June 2018 Book of the Month"The Girl Who Knew da Vinci" by Belle Ami
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kfwilson6
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Re: Angela's Character

Post by kfwilson6 »

Samy Lax wrote: 27 Jun 2018, 23:32 Oh you are so right. I had high hopes from her character, but eventually, she seems to become more of a passive crybaby. The relationship she had with Alex wasn't helping matters much either!
She was very dependent on him for money, housing, protection, and emotional needs. I don't know how any "strong" woman just starts staying with a man who is a complete stranger and letting him pay for everything. I was really baffled by some of her decisions.
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Post by Manang Muyang »

The whirlwind solution to the mystery is on the unrealistic side. Letting the story unravel over a longer period would have been more agreeable. The love angle would have come more naturally, and the fainting spells replaced by honest-to-goodness detective work. Then Angela's character would have been developed much better.
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Post by bookowlie »

Miriam Molina wrote: 30 Jun 2018, 02:37 The whirlwind solution to the mystery is on the unrealistic side. Letting the story unravel over a longer period would have been more agreeable. The love angle would have come more naturally, and the fainting spells replaced by honest-to-goodness detective work. Then Angela's character would have been developed much better.
Well said. :) Even if the fainting spells remained, there could have been more of a balance between the visions and traditional detective work. Having the fainting spells in practically every chapter was a bit much. I can see how it made for a smoother transition between time periods, but the constant fainting became comical after a while. I also would have preferred if the Angela and Alex's romance slowly developed over the course of the book series, instead of wham, bam, we're in love/lust.
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Post by kfwilson6 »

And engaged after one week. With not explanation for the necessity to move so quickly. It's not like she was pregnant or he is in the military and about to be stationed in a different country. Some people see a whirlwind romance as romantic, I see it as irresponsible.
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Post by bookowlie »

kfwilson6 wrote: 30 Jun 2018, 10:07 And engaged after one week. With not explanation for the necessity to move so quickly. It's not like she was pregnant or he is in the military and about to be stationed in a different country. Some people see a whirlwind romance as romantic, I see it as irresponsible.
Although I also thought the engagement was too fast, many readers like that type of ending since they love the whole "happy-ever-after" thing. Since the book is a series, I certainly didn't think it was necessary for the two of them to move so fast.
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AbbyGNelson wrote: 11 Jun 2018, 11:05
cristinaro wrote: 04 Jun 2018, 07:02 Yeah, you're right. On the whole, she seemed so helpless although she is first introduced as a strong woman with a doctorate in progress and the internship of her dreams. She gradually relies completely on Alex who apparently becomes her boss in both her professional and private life. :) I wish the romance had not overtaken the plot to the detriment of a more complex puzzle and potential search for clues leading to the recovery of the missing painting.
Ugh. I hate when this happens to female characters. I haven't read this book, and now I don't want to ever read it.
I’m of the same opinion. Why can’t strong female characters just be strong? Why does the prescence of a man compromise that character trait? I think it will be hard for me to get excited about this book knowing that this will occur.
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Post by onixpam »

I think Angela progress as a character because nobody is able to beat those challenges without changing. She just changed accordingly to what was happening to her.
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Post by Thimble »

While it's implied that she's strong at the beginning, I never saw her as a strong person to begin with. We also don't learn a lot about her. I remember a line where she says something like "I don't even remember who I was before all this happened." and I was like, "well, neither do I." She starts out sleep deprived and stressed and that's how the book ends (for the most part).

Also, can someone tell me where it says she actually finished any academic degrees? I remember the part where she said she had to waitress during her undergraduate degree, but that's it. There was something about a BA and MA, but that was in regard to Alex's academic career. It just bugged me the whole time because I was trying to figure out why a specialist in Renaissance art would be working as an intern. You don't specialize in undergraduate school and usually not graduate school (as far as I know). And Phds don't normally do internships.
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Post by Lu_rire »

It is sadly a common failing in romance novels that a supposedly strong character ends up weak and dependent on a man.
I really dislike it when this happens.
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Post by [Valerie Allen] »

I believe that Angela was overcome with past and present encounters causing her character to appear emotionally unstable. But, I guess if I were in her shoes, I would deflate too. Isn't that human-like?
And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. (Revelation 20:12 (NKJV) :reading-7:
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Post by sheeps44 »

From what I read, I think Angela is okay, I feel like the author is trying to make her a strong and independent character, but due to the fact, that is a romantic thriller. Her having to be with someone can be kind of a detriment to her character development.
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Post by emkinney4 »

I believe Angela is intended to be a resilient, independent character, but it is hard to see that when much of the story is focused on her relationship and who she is in relation to her partner. I would have liked to see more development of her character as an individual!
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Post by Anthony Martial Tata »

Angela is no an Angel. I think the authors tried to relate the book to the society today. Character change is inevitable.
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Post by Nma26 »

I think the attitude of Angela in the book is intentional.Even the strong ones can have their silly moments.
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Post by dabimbola2006 »

The key character's supposed wane in confidence could be a product of her exposure and maturity. Stooping to conquer, she might easily command the admiration of many. She could be said to be able to tame her emotion! Is it not often said that valour is in the ability to tame your anger and not to unleash it.
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