The Something Strange & Deadly Book Club is underway and I am catching up on week two as week three nears its end. If you’d like to participate in the book club for either book, more information can be found at SusanDennard.com. All right, here we go…

A Darkness Strange & Lovely Discussion Question #2

Eleanor finds herself increasingly dependent on Oliver. She claims she does not trust him, yet she continues to turn to him for help and guidance. Do YOU trust him? Or do you think, were you in her shoes with Hell Hounds at your heels and Marcus not further behind, you would reject Oliver’s offers of “help?”
I would like to trust Oliver but he hasn’t given me a reason to as of yet. While Oliver being so close to Elijah (and Oliver not stealing El’s letters) holds weight, it’s not enough just yet. Trust wasn’t built in a day. You can make deals with anybody. You can keep your enemies closer. You can lie and omit certain information for personal gain. It’s clear he’s omitting at this point but he could be doing all of the above. Or he could genuinely be helping Eleanor while also helping himself. From what I’ve gathered up through chapter twelve, it’s too early to say whether or not I trust him because something tells me there’s more to his motive than he is letting on. I am also taking into account how long it takes him to reveal whatever he isn’t telling Eleanor and how he reveals it. That matters too.

In regards to turning to Marcus for help and guidance even though Eleanor claims to not trust him…while it means a great deal, you don’t have to trust someone to accept their help and learn a thing or two. It sounds crazy but people do it all the time and many times, it works out in their favor. There’s a social experiment (with a nice monetary prize at the end), Big Brother on CBS that’s a great example of aligning with people you don’t 100% trust. Again, keep your (possible) enemies close. Sure, Eleanor was in a panic when the Hell Hounds came but regardless of her level of trust towards Oliver, sometimes you have to make a decision that will keep you safe and alive – otherwise you won’t have to worry about making anymore decisions because you won’t be alive. So to answer the question, no. I would not have rejected Oliver’s offer. With the good, comes the bad so most, if not all times you have to rely on hope because sometimes that’s all there is to rely on when there is no trust. Hope that this is the right decision and if it’s not, you trust yourself enough to make it right.

Historical Extra:
Explore the interior of a Victorian steamer like the one Eleanor sails on!

A Darkness Strange & Lovely Discussion Question #3

In 1876, Paris was really the most glamorous city on earth. The City of Light with its electric street lamps, it’s uniform (and gorgeous) beige buildings and slate rooftops, the museums and gardens–to say nothing of all the beautiful people and clothes. It’s no wonder the Spirit-Hunters find themselves distracted from the Dead by luncheons and salons, new clothes and new equipment. Do you think, if you were in their shoes, you might also be easily distracted by all the wonders Paris holds? Or would you be better able to force it all aside and focus on the rising problem of les Morts?
Well, as someone who has been fascinated with France since the second grade, even though I’ve never been…it would be a miracle if I actually got any Spirit Hunting and research done. I’d really like to think that I wouldn’t get too distracted and would do all it took to save my life even if it meant putting off the wonders of Paris…I’d like to think it wouldn’t become a too little too late scenario but I really don’t know! France is the last place I’d want to be to test this out. Anywhere but France and I’d be fine. But the pull for me is just as strong as the pull necromancy is having on Eleanor.

Historical Extras (Note: It’s in French!):
Peek inside the Bibliotheque Richelieu, where Eleanor and Daniel research the Black Pullet.

Or explore the Palais Garnier, where Eleanor attends her very first ball!

Looking forward to reading the last eight chapters tonight! Stay tuned for Week 4’s discussion question!