The Something Strange & Deadly Book Club is officially underway and I am so excited to be participating! Since I took part in the Something Strange & Deadly Read-A-Long last year, I am going to focus on the sequel, A Darkness Strange & Lovely which just released in July. If you’d like to participate in the book club for either book, more information can be found at SusanDennard.com.
A Darkness Strange & Lovely Discussion Question #1
Eleanor finds herself with next to nothing at the start of A Darkness Strange and Lovely. Do you think she is justified in leaving Philadelphia and leaving behind her mother? On the flip side, can you put yourself in Mrs. Fitt’s shoes and understand why she might be so cruel toward Eleanor?
Yes. Now, Eleanor can have next to nothing anywhere she goes, I don’t think that’s actually a main factor in why she leaves. The mental and emotional impact of her hardships in this environment is what does it. In that time, with her mother disowning her and essentially most of the town treating her like an outcast due to her “crazy” mom, dwindling funds/status in town, and her association with Spirit Hunters, there’s no reason to stay in that negative environment when she could be in Paris (staying safe while) doing some good.
Whether or not Eleanor and her mother reconcile in the future, clearly Mrs. Fitt wants space. If Eleanor didn’t think Mrs. Fitt was in good hands, I don’t think she would have left Philadelphia as quickly as she did. But she still would have left with Marcus on the loose. At this point in time, no matter where Eleanor resides, as long as she’s not with the Spirit Hunters she is not as safe as she could be. Eleanor is a strong and smart woman but there are still some things she doesn’t know and some skills she doesn’t have that the Spirit Hunters do. She’s clearly well aware of this fact, otherwise she wouldn’t be heading to Paris. There’s a lot more she’s realizing she doesn’t know after meeting someone (I won’t spoil this for you) on the boat ride over to Paris too. Eleanor is fit but not as fit as she needs to be ultimately to stay alive while she finds answers and helps save the innocent. She is getting smarter and stronger everyday so I have no doubt in my mind Eleanor will become the BAMF she knows she can be soon enough!
As for putting myself in Mrs. Fitt’s shoes, I completely understand why she is dismissing Eleanor however that doesn’t make it right. I’ve seen this again and again in real life, people pushing the one person who is willing to help them and be honest with them away because they are too broken to see the truth. It’s unfortunate. Many of those times, the damage is done. Beyond repair. So I really hope Mrs. Fitt will come to her senses and also reconciles with her daughter. Wow. How many run on sentences was that? Haha. Anyway, what do you think?
Historical Note:
Explore the grounds of Kirkbride’s Hospital, where Mrs. Fitt stays!