Help the characters

Use this forum to discuss the March 2020 Book of the month, "House of Eire" by June Gillam.
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Help the characters

Post by aacodreanu »

Which of the characters deserves more consistency and how could that be achieved?
Would a more defined participation of the supporting characters in the story make the main one, Hillary become less important or would that make her stand out better?
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Post by Jocelyn Eastman »

I was hoping to see more of her husband in the book. He was a little inconsistent. I think he would have helped her with the investigation more.
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Post by aacodreanu »

Exactly my feeling. And I could not see the point because she did not do very well, it was more like the circumstances solved the situation. Too bad the husband was not "allowed" to act.
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Post by InStoree »

I also felt that the husband could have contributed more to Hillary's issues. He seemed to be vaguely implied in the honeymoon and Hillary's research.
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Post by NetMassimo »

I agree with all of you. In various occasions I wondered about his limited presence. A stronger interaction with Hillary and Claire would have offered more depth to them all.
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Post by Brenda Creech »

I think Hilary's husband should have had a more prominent place in the story. He was very supportive of Hilary but he just wasn't around enough.
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Post by aacodreanu »

B Creech wrote: 10 Mar 2020, 12:35 I think Hilary's husband should have had a more prominent place in the story. He was very supportive of Hilary but he just wasn't around enough.
Yes, and I don't know if the author wanted him to be absent or this is just as it came out, sort of she forgot about him, being too focused on the activity of the wife.
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Post by Brenda Creech »

aacodreanu wrote: 10 Mar 2020, 12:39
B Creech wrote: 10 Mar 2020, 12:35 I think Hilary's husband should have had a more prominent place in the story. He was very supportive of Hilary but he just wasn't around enough.
Yes, and I don't know if the author wanted him to be absent or this is just as it came out, sort of she forgot about him, being too focused on the activity of the wife.
True! It wasn't exactly the belated honeymoon I would have wanted! :D
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Post by Beatus »

I could agree with the author. I see the point of making the husband a bit less involved but, I also see the point in why he should have been more involved. Its like that story where what seems to be good may be bad and vice versa. Either way it is alright
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Post by aacodreanu »

Beatus wrote: 10 Mar 2020, 15:16 I could agree with the author. I see the point of making the husband a bit less involved but, I also see the point in why he should have been more involved. Its like that story where what seems to be good may be bad and vice versa. Either way it is alright
I agree with the first part of what you said: "what seems to be good may be bad", I thought about it too, that it was a strategy. There wasn't any vice versa though. Perhaps it would have been alright, or at least symmetrical.
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Post by camwilliams »

I would agree with what seems to be the popular opinion here. I liked what I got to see of Ed and Hillary's relationship. They really seem to love and care for each other. But as the book continued they see less and less of each other. Based upon Ed's personality, I find it hard to believe that he would leave Hillary or Claire by themselves to go to a seminar after Bridget's death, and definitely not after Sarah's death.
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Post by aacodreanu »

camwilliams wrote: 11 Mar 2020, 12:22 I would agree with what seems to be the popular opinion here. I liked what I got to see of Ed and Hillary's relationship. They really seem to love and care for each other. But as the book continued they see less and less of each other. Based upon Ed's personality, I find it hard to believe that he would leave Hillary or Claire by themselves to go to a seminar after Bridget's death, and definitely not after Sarah's death.
Indeed, rather contradictory and less than plausible. And the man is a detective, no less. One thing the couple managed to do in this book: they got pregnant. :). Not easy with him away most of the time.
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Post by kmittag67 »

I was intrigued by Bridget's character. She was a strong presence with a fierce, compassionate and loving personality. I would have enjoyed having her for a lengthier period of time in the storyline. Of course, once she is murdered, I would still miss her. The novel was a delight to read. I just wish there was more of Bridget.
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Post by aacodreanu »

kmittag67 wrote: 15 Mar 2020, 17:43 I was intrigued by Bridget's character. She was a strong presence with a fierce, compassionate and loving personality. I would have enjoyed having her for a lengthier period of time in the storyline. Of course, once she is murdered, I would still miss her. The novel was a delight to read. I just wish there was more of Bridget.
Indeed. The plot would have taken a different turn, had she lived. Perhaps she would have set Seamus straight.
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Post by Namaste23 »

I think, by the way Ed was described, that he would have gotten more involved in Hillary's investigation. Especially after Sarah was murdered. It may have taken away from Hillary though like asked in the original post.
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