The Jade Owl Book KLUB: Read with the Author - Chapters 1 - 8

[Edward C. Patterson]

This Book Klub is continous and you can start it at any time and feel free to ask questions and pose discussion questions. I will be available to Read along with you at whatever stage you are at. Once finished, you are welcome to continue onto the other Book Klubs established for the Jade Owl Leacy. Let me tell you how delighted I am that you are taking this journey with me.

Introduction

I am hoping that this experience will be worthwhile for both you and me as we tread the pages of The Jade Owl and subsequent books in the series. I’ve provided some questions below, but I encourage discussion on any part of the book. It is difficult at this juncture (early chapters) to spoil things as resolution comes later on, so I leave it to your discgression with spoiler. If in doubt, use the spoiler button. I’m open to any questions, claifications and comments. I also encourage feedback of all kinds. It stands to reason that an author loves to discuss their work, and that’s the joy of it for me.

Week 1: Part I – Chapters 1 – 9

Chapter One: Opportunties Lost

1 – The title in the chapter is plural. Besides Rowden Gray’s job loss, how many other opportunties lost can you identify?
2 – Can you identify the real museum that the author based the San Francisco Musseum of Arts and Culture after?
3 – What signficance could lavender have in the sheme of things?

Chapter Two: The Powell Street Line

1 – Please identify the author quoted by Rowden Gray in his drunkeness – “I’ve never cared for this life as a thing worthwhile.”
2 – Can anyone identify the neighborhood that Rowden has his serenity moment on the cable car overlooking San Francisco bay? What significance could it have?
3 – A K’ang-xi vase is discussed in Han Ch’i-wang’s Antiques. What is K’ang-xi in Chinese history?

Chapter Three: Night Life

1 – Why would the author select the menu served to Rowden and Nick — the specific items?
2 – How does Nick raise suspicion for both Rowden and the reader as to his intentions? What's your guess at this point in the book?
3 – What is the significance of Simone DeFluerry’s song choice?
4 – Were you surpirsed at Nick’s Identity? (be careful as this one could be a spoiler)

Chapter Four: Eden’s Valley

1 – What author’s works are conjured up when speaking about Merced and Yosemite?
2 – There’s a reference to Rowden’s ex-wife. What’s her name?
3 – Why would the author give Griffen, the landscape painter, the physical charcteristics that he does?

Chapter Five: The Little Perch on the Hill

1 – What are your impressions of Simon Geldfarb at this point in the story?
2 – What are your impressions of the photographs? Speculate a little with Rowden Gray.
3 – Why does the author have Simone DeFluerry refer to towns in Kansas?

Chapter Six: Hunting

1 – Why would the author set this scene with slapstick comedy?
2 – What is the significance of the name Wewoka?
3 – What is manufactued on Ghirardelli Square?

Chapter Seven: Os-da O-gu-ku

1 – Translate the title of this Chapter.
2 – What do you think has happened to Nick? Speculate. What could this “horn” be?
3 – How much of Nick’s explaination to Rowden came as a surprise to you?
4 – Why does the author continually fill Rowden with heaps of doubt?

Chapter Eight: The Old Grandmother

1 – Why does the author personify old friend cane?
2 – Why are family relationships so vital to this novel from a themal point of view?
3 – How does the author press forward on the Empress Wu’s character to give her additional substance beyond the mythos?

[Ann in Arlington]

I'll get reading Ed. . ..but may get a bit behind next week as I'll be at music camp. . . .I expect I'll get fully caught up by the end of the month. . . . .a Book Klub is the perfect excuse to move it to the top of the 'pile'. 

Do you have a schedule mapped out?  Or just go with as many chapters at a time as seems right?  Above you have listed chapter 1-9 but have no questions for chapter 9.

[Edward C. Patterson]

Ann, my bad. I can write but I I can't count. It's Chapters 1 - 8. Everyone should read at their own speed. I'll juggle the various lists as needed. Musci camp? Instrument? or Voice?

Ed P

[Ann in Arlington]

Musci camp? Instrument? or Voice?

Ed P

yes.  

I think I'm doing piano this year. . . .also play guitar, bass guitar, flute, recorder, and I sing some.  It's a ton of fun every year, but not a lot of time -- or frankly desire -- to go off by my self to read!

[Edward C. Patterson]

That's kool. I studied opera, did a heck of a lot of choral singing in my day and was a member of an opera company (G&S(, which is why you might see some Gilbert & Sullivan references in my books (especially Bobby's Trace). Can't do the piano as I have "the so-called gay hand" which doesn;t span the octave. 

Ed P

[Ann in Arlington]

Can't do the piano as I have "the so-called gay hand" which doesn;t span the octave. 

Ed P

No excuse:  I know a guy who was injured in Iraq.  Used to play guitar marvelously but because of his injury he can't rotate his left arm to play chords and at least 2 fingers on that hand don't work.  He fakes it just fine on the piano though!    Not going to be playing Liszt, of course, but he does a great job with pop stuff and all.

Uh. . .guess I should go start reading your book so I can get back on topic . . .

[Edward C. Patterson]

Well then, it'll be Mozart for me. 

ECP

[EllenR]

Oh cool, good opportunity for me to jump in and start this book!

EllenR

[Edward C. Patterson]

Welcome aboard EllenR

Ed P

[Susan in VA]

Now I'm wishing I hadn't just recently finished this book.  Seems kind of unfair to participate when I know what's going to happen.   

(But I do want to follow the thread, so I'm posting this to get it to bump to my new-posts list.  )

[Edward C. Patterson]

Susan:

You are welcome to follow along and re-read if you want. I hav many readers who read the series more than once, which always makes me feel good (or bad, if they're reading it because they didn' understand it the first time.) 

Ed P

[Betsy the Quilter]

As everyone can see, we're having a Reading With the Author Book Klub with Ed Patterson!  Hurray!  I'm leaving for Finland in a couple of weeks, so I'm not sure I'll be able to take part, but I'll hang out as much as I can!

Betsy

[AppleHeart]

Oh dear! I don't think I'm good at this, I know I'm not good at this but here goes.

Introduction

I am hoping that this experience will be worthwhile for both you and me as we tread the pages of The Jade Owl and subsequent books in the series. I’ve provided some questions below, but I encourage discussion on any part of the book. It is difficult at this juncture (early chapters) to spoil things as resolution comes later on, so I leave it to your discgression with spoiler. If in doubt, use the spoiler button. I’m open to any questions, claifications and comments. I also encourage feedback of all kinds. It stands to reason that an author loves to discuss their work, and that’s the joy of it for me.

Week 1: Part I – Chapters 1 – 9

Chapter One: Opportunties Lost

1 – The title in the chapter is plural. Besides Rowden Gray’s job loss, how many other opportunties lost can you identify?

      a)   An opportunity (actually there were two instances) to deck the smart-mouthed guard at the lobby – did I really say that? I’d have, gladly. That, or given him my perfected ‘hairy eyeball’ glare!
      b)   What was Millie going to say but stopped herself from saying? – I wonder if it has any bearing or will have any importance at all.
      c)   The chance to tell the nasty curator to “take this job and shove it where the sun doesn’t shine” or something like that.
      d)   I’m guessing that he was tempted (wanted, but didn’t pursue) to change the relationship between Connie and him from being friendly colleagues to maybe friends with benefits so this may be  another opportunity lost cuz I think Connie would have welcomed it. - Are Connie and the Professor going to be an item further down or was I just, being a romantic, imagining it?
      e)   He failed to speak up for his late mentor, JB. He should have had faith in the veracity of the Jade Owl, sight unseen. – at least that’s how I’d feel were I in his shoes, maybe.

2 – Can you identify the real museum that the author based the San Francisco Musseum of Arts and Culture after?

      Sorry, I can’t and have no idea. I’d like to know though.

3 – What signficance could lavender have in the sheme of things?

      Showing my ignorance - The only thing I can think of is: lavender almost always sooth or calm me when I’m stressed, so I’m thinking that every time the Professor gets stressed, lavender serves as a sedative, kinda. Or, my friend pointed out to me that it could be the author’s subtle hint of the, umm, sexual preference of Nick? Or, it could be that lavender is my favorite color (no bearing to the story at all) and since it is the color for royalty and this artifact/treasure must belong to some royals in the past, then it is significant. (Help, I’m floundering here….)

Chapter Two: The Powell Street Line

1 – Please identify the author quoted by Rowden Gray in his drunkeness – “I’ve never cared for this life as a thing worthwhile.”

      I’m sorry but I have no clue and I don’t think I have ever come across this quote before. (Didn't I say I was ignorant?!?)

2 – Can anyone identify the neighborhood that Rowden has his serenity moment on the cable car overlooking San Francisco bay? What significance could it have?

      Venturing a guess, Chinatown? The start of the journey to finding the Jade Owl? Can’t be Union Square. (Was at the Fairmont San Francisco for a seminar once and had fun riding the cable cars from the hotel to many points of interests, so reading this chapter brought back many wonderful memories of my time in SF.)

3 – A K’ang-xi vase is discussed in Han Ch’i-wang’s Antiques. What is K’ang-xi in Chinese history?

      I’m 25% Chinese, and all I recall from conversations with my Chinese relatives years ago is that this belongs to the period of the same name, circa 1700s and that it’s mostly porcelain, blue and white. There are some red but more influenced by the Ming Dynasty.  Not very useful but that’s what I remember, aside from my Ang-kong having several vases in his home which we were told were Kangxi’s and very expensive that we were not supposed to play with or near them lest we break them. (Ashamed to say that I did not fully embrace my Chinese heritage because of the ostracism I experienced at the hands of cruel non-Chinese schoolmates when I was growing up many years ago. I can still remember/read/speak a little Chinese – Mandarin and Fukien (Fujian) – but that’s all. Sigh.) So, I really am ashamed to say that I am ignorant as to what Kangxi is in Chinese history. Sorry.


Chapter Three: Night Life

1 – Why would the author select the menu served to Rowden and Nick — the specific items?

      Because they’re delicious? Sorry, my favorites, especially the dumplings and the prawns.
      a)   Egg flower soup – we call this egg drop soup back home. Very easy to make and can go with any viand.
      b)   Ming Shou dumplings – yum! Dumplings with meat/vegetable fillings in spicy sauce. Traditionally, made fresh for the New Year although it can be prepared and eaten any time. Di-koh told me that the new year means new beginnings, brings new promises, new expectations for the whole year so this is why fresh dumplings are made always in our family. Guess it’s unlucky not to serve dumpling – just like when I lived in Texas, I was told to always have/eat black-eyed peas or luck will elude me the whole year…
      c)   Broiled prawns with mung bean noodles – another yum! Made from mung beans, is clear or translucent, very rich in protein and iron and when cooked with meat, prawn, fish or vegetables, soaks up the flavor of the meat or prawn or fish or vegetable. I prefer this to rice (vermicelli) noodles.
      d)   Fire pot – this is like stew, blending beef, pork, chicken, fish, shrimp and vegetables. Another traditional New Year’s Day food in my family.
      
      ** More guessing here, but since the food above are traditionally served for the New Year, I am thinking that it denotes the start of something, i.e. search for the Jade Owl, thus the beginning of something for not only the professor but for Nick as well..?

2 – How does Nick raise suspicion for both Rowden and the reader as to his intentions? What's your guess at this point in the book?

      Every time he mentions the Jade Owl, a red flag is raised. He needs the professor’s help in finding the lost treasure. He knows something or have something that will point or show the way, only he doesn’t know what or how to use that knowledge. Guessing that Nick not only knows about the Jade Owl, he must have a personal involvement in it.

3 – What is the significance of Simone DeFluerry’s song choice?
      
      I always thought that “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” is a song of hope. So I think that the song means hope. And I didn’t know it is, as you wrote, “the gay national anthem.”

4 – Were you surpirsed at Nick’s Identity? (be careful as this one could be a spoiler)

      No. Well, the synopsis already made me aware that the Prof was going to be working with his deceased mentor’s son and his SO, Simone, so it was not a surprise.


Chapter Four: Eden’s Valley

1 – What author’s works are conjured up when speaking about Merced and Yosemite?

      I don’t know about authors/books, maybe one that was made into a movie by Disney but I can't remember the name -- but Yosemite always make me remember epic western movies starring John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Glenn Ford, James Stewart, Gregory Peck, etc… Sorry, told you I was ignorant!

2 – There’s a reference to Rowden’s ex-wife. What’s her name?

      Rose. (Rosie? Too lazy to go back and look.)

3 – Why would the author give Griffen, the landscape painter, the physical charcteristics that he does?

      Maybe cuz Griffen is part native-American Indian? Like the author? Is this like a Stephen King thing??? He always has a cameo in all the movies of his work. Just a guess.

This is where I stopped. Will read the rest of the chapters tomorrow and post my thoughts. But I feel like I am not really contributing much to the discussion so maybe I should bow out...?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter Five: The Little Perch on the Hill

1 – What are your impressions of Simon Geldfarb at this point in the story?
2 – What are your impressions of the photographs? Speculate a little with Rowden Gray.
3 – Why does the author have Simone DeFluerry refer to towns in Kansas?

Chapter Six: Hunting

1 – Why would the author set this scene with slapstick comedy?
2 – What is the significance of the name Wewoka?
3 – What is manufactued on Ghirardelli Square?

Chapter Seven: Os-da O-gu-ku

1 – Translate the title of this Chapter.
2 – What do you think has happened to Nick? Speculate. What could this “horn” be?
3 – How much of Nick’s explaination to Rowden came as a surprise to you?
4 – Why does the author continually fill Rowden with heaps of doubt?

Chapter Eight: The Old Grandmother

1 – Why does the author personify old friend cane?
2 – Why are family relationships so vital to this novel from a themal point of view?
3 – How does the author press forward on the Empress Wu’s character to give her additional substance beyond the mythos?

[Neekeebee]

Question for you, Ed.  I read the description of your book on Amazon, but wasn't sure if there is any supernatural/spooky stuff in it.  I am kind of chicken (OK, really chicken  ) so I have to avoid books/movies, etc. with a broad range of stuff from gore to ghosts to vampires to demons, etc.  Murder and fantasy are OK, though.  Is your book a read or a skip?  Thanks!

N

[Edward C. Patterson]

There is paranormal things in it. No gore. Ghosts, yes.

Ed Patterson

[Neekeebee]

Thanks, Ed!  Nothing like getting answers straight from the author!

N

[KindTrish]

There is paranormal things in it. No gore. Ghosts, yes.

Ed Patterson

Thanks for clarifying.  For some reason on some thread I got the impression this was a gore genre.  I just read the reviews and 1-clicked and ready to read.

[Edward C. Patterson]

But I guarentee, you'll love it, unless Drag Queens and Cherokee Indians scare yer.  

Ed P

[Edward C. Patterson]

Thanks KindTrish. Welcome aboard. Perhaps my blurb "In China they whisper again," makes it all sound myserious, but hey  . . . blurbs like covers need to get people's attention.

Ed P

[F1Wild]

Hi Mr. Patterson!  I just dedcided after all of the "Asian" suggestions (and actually starting The Last Empress, but wasn't "grabbed") to 1-click The Jade Owl and will start later today!  Asian background, drag queens, Cherokee and ghosts??  I'm in!!!

Thank you for doing this - it will be fun.  I was in a book club when living in Ireland, but there reading was minimal and the libations max (over 75% never read anything)!  Haha!

Any suggestions before I start?

[Edward C. Patterson]

Welcome F1Wild. I'll know you'll enjoy this, especially since you love things Asian. Take a tur on the Powell Street Line. 

Ed P

[Ann in Arlington]

Introduction
Chapter One: Opportunties Lost

1 – The title in the chapter is plural. Besides Rowden Gray’s job loss, how many other opportunties lost can you identify?
2 – Can you identify the real museum that the author based the San Francisco Musseum of Arts and Culture after?
3 – What signficance could lavender have in the sheme of things?

1. . .could have had a relationship with the girl . . .probably some time in the past
2. . .probably the Museum of Asian Art  (Google is Good )
3. . .I expect it foreshadows something. . . .

On to chapter 2

[Edward C. Patterson]

Appleheart - Excellent and comprehensive. What do you mean you're not very good at this stuff. Anyway, I'm not going to address all the things as readers are just coming aboard, but I will address a few of the more arcane things that are not spoilers.

One missed opportunity is John Battle's loss of the Jade Owl itself. You are correct also with the lavender as it is the color for the Gay community, but the aroma of lavender is something that lingers and thus it becomes the leitmotif for Nick in all 5 books and even in the ancillary books of Southern Swallow.

The quote is from Thomas Hardy, from one of his poems and I was playing Gerald Finzi's setting of it sung by Bryn Teufel when I was writing this chapter. I incorporate things like that into my writing as I write. I pay homages to authors and mentors. I'll mention those as we go along. I  have also incorporated something in this first book that is special for each of the original beta-readers.

The Museum (and this is for Ann and Google) is also a homage. In Golden Gate Park stood a museum called the De Young. It's still there, but it's not the same De Young of my memory. The original De Young was torn down in the mid90's and replaced with a cheese and cracker affair. The famous Asian collection was moved to city hall where most of it still is. Reason. Earthquake proofing. They wanted the collection to be in an earthquake proof place, and the new De Young is earthquake proof, but is devoted to PanAmerican art now. You would be hard pressed to find pictures of the old De Young. It was breathtaking and yet they destroyed it. How tragic. What an Opportunity LOST. But I rebuilt in your mind, Hallelujah! and renamed it. John Battle Memorial Hall is a complete replica of the De Young's main exhibition hall.

The Powell Street Line becomes the Hyde Street Line when it turns on Jackson Street and climbs to  . . . Russian Hill. It is on Russian Hill that Rowdy gets his serenity moment - my homage (and only the first one of many to Armistad Maupin's great saga "Tales of the City.") If Rowden had turned his head to the right instead of the left, he would have seen the old wooden steps leading to the fictional Barberry Lane.

K'ang-xi is the second reign period of the Ch'ing or Manchu Dynasty and is the designation to the 60 year reign of the K'ang-xi Emperor.

Wow, you describe the food better than I have. The food, of course, is a distraction, but no matter. The important bit is that these are dishes native to Gui-lin in Southwestern China (a place significant to the series). The restaurant itself is a hybrid between the Empress which is on California Street and Grant Avenue, but the interior is the Imperial Restaurant, which was on Ghirardelli Square. (Not sure if its tere anymore)

Somewhere Over the Rainbow is the Gay National Anthem as gay folk are the Daughters of Dorothy and the Stonewall Riots that initiaed the Gay Activist Movement occurred on the anniversary of Judy Garland's death.

The author I invoke at Yosemite and Merced is Steinbeck (East of Eden, Grapes of Wrath and Merced itself, which is nearby Salinas, Steinbeck's home town).

Rose is correct.

As for Griffen - yes, I am Cherokee, but I am also blind in one eye. That someone half-blind is cast as a landscape artist is just as ionic that someone who pounds a keyboard all day has no peripheral vision.

This is a great start. I encourage discussion and questions. Watch for the red herrings. I might run a contest at some point to see how many red herrings my readers can spot.

Ed P  

[back2nature]

I can't read much of this thread. I am reading The Jade Owl right now, and am only up to Chap. 3. I'll check back later.

[Edward C. Patterson]

Welcome Back2Nature. Glad you're here.

Ed P