I'm new to i also, so perhaps we'll have a few more discussion questions and smaller chunks in the next thread or here. Suggestions for discussion questions?
Ed P
In Chapter I, I sensed that there were more to the feeling of dislike, perhaps professional envy, between the curator JJG and the late JB, at least, it seems to me it was more on the curator's side (since JB is now dead). Is it because he resented that Rowden is more JB's protege than his?
I also would like to know more about why you are paying homage to Maupin's "Tales of the City" which I think I read a long time ago, maybe I'll need to re-read to figure out your obvious-to-you-but-not-to-me reasons for the homage? I love that I can discuss things like this with you without rancor and since I'm inherently curious, I hope you won't mind my seeking answers to things I'm ignorant of.
Lastly, at the JBMH, when he was looking (admiring? worshipping? trying to figure out as if putting the pieces together?) at the Empress Wu's
The Joy of Finches jewelry box, I got the feeling that the indentation at the top of the box have obvious significance. This is one clue I'm holding onto until I know for sure if it is significant or not. Or is this only one of several
red herrings you say you'll throw at us? I like challenges like this as it makes me pay attention to what I'm reading cuz I read very fast so in this instance, I may need to slow-read so as not to miss important clues! Also the mirage I believe is one red herring, since he smelled lavender, Nick must have been near or in his peripheral vision, no, not peripheral as I seem to recall it (image) was in his central vision so either Nick moved fast out of his line of vision or maybe it was JB's ghostly presence.
I'm guessing since Nick is JB's son that it could be JB's ghostly presence? A sort of precursor, an omen? In Chapter II, I could 'feel' the desolation, the me-against-the-world desperation, Rowden was experiencing while at the bar. His fleeting thought of suicide, were it possible, I'd say "No, don't do it. There are other things you can do." and what a relief to have Nick come in and say what I so badly wanted to say! And because I've exprienced first hand the cable car's switching gears or direction and heard the musical (at least to me) clang clanging, it made me feel like I was right there with them. Thank you for the visual. (If I haven't said it yet, you are a very good writer/story teller and I'm now your newest fan!)
Another interesting character introduced - the antique shop and restaurant owner - there is more to this character, I think, unless it is another of your herrings, but I think not. He appears nice but there is something that makes me suspicious although I can't say what yet. Maybe it's because he spoke to Nick about something out of the professor's hearing? That makes me wonder...
Yet, another mention of the Jade Owl. I am beginning to think there is more to this. Nick knows something, definitely.
In chapter III, other than the food which you said was a mere distraction (BUT, what a wonderful distraction!), I suspected that there was something going on between the homeless Han and Nick, once again because of the secrecy - why go back to talk to Han when he could have said what he wanted to say in Rowden's hearing? Another
red herring? Likely not. Another clue! Yep, that's it.
The Painted Lady and Miss Chatty and Simone - I love your description of them. I have never been to one so this may be the closest I can get to a real gay establishment. No offense meant!
(Years ago, I was taken to a Chinese restaurant in NY by friends who wanted to shock me and where all the waiters were dressed in drag and if I recall correctly, close by was a place where people can watch people being chained and whipped on stage and get to participate too. I don't remember where it is or if it's still there but it sure was something I didn't want to experience again! My prudishness is showing, no? Anyway, nothing to do with the book so author and moderators can delete this if it is offensive to some people.)
What you wrote about there being no restaurants in China, that certainly was true in 1967, when I and an older male cousin brought Grandfather home to Peking (now Beijing) because he wanted to die in his homeland. It was scary and fun at the same time, especially when the red soldiers boarded the train for inspection and confiscated Ang-Kong's gold bars which he had carried in a belt around his waist. They took everything but luckily, didn't check my sad-looking made-of-flour-sack bag where I had hidden my late Grandmother's jewelry and it was what we used to rent a hut for him and for the husband and wife we hired to care for him until his death. The family would send money every month for 5 more years. Sorry, I digress.
I don't want to monopolize so I think I'll stop right here and rejoin when the others are ready to discuss. I'll read the rest of the chapters for this week tonight and will wait to post on them...
One thing I'd like to mention - you sound just like my theology professor, the late Rev. Fr. Alfred Ort, SMJ from New Jersey, who asked questions similarly, when I was taking the Pre-Nursing course at Xavier University, Ateneo de Zamboanga, Philippines in 1968. He'd pick one student for the whole hour of class and throw questions after questions at her/him once the original question had been answered... He was tough but his classes were always full, no empty seats. Maybe because he encouraged us to think and think further - in, and outside, the box! We all loved him.
'Nuff said.
Edith
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