The Jade Owl: Part I: Chapters 13-14 Part II: Chapters 1-3

[Edward C. Patterson]

Hi all - I everyone enjoying The Jade Owl so far?

Here's some discussion tidbits for the balance of Part I and the Opening of Part II

There is  great deal of subtext in the negotiation scene between Rowden and Gillenhaal. Can you parse it out?

"Gathering the rosebuds" has a triple meaning. Two are obvious given the text. What are they? The third I'll give you next time (its a secret homage).

Are you smelling China as well as seeing it coming into Hong Kong?

Why would the author (moi) saddle his protagonist with such a tender belly and a tendency for motion sickness?

Did the "pretty predicament" surprise you? Why would I create such a diversion on the outset?

Does anyone know what P'ing Hu means in Chinese. Fir those of you who have read ahead, you know.

Mrs. Joy Gartner-Pendleton is based on an operatic heroine. Any guesses?

Given this early setup, what role do you sense that sexual tension might pay in future chapters?

Keep reading and enjoying.

Ed P

[AppleHeart]

Just came back from visiting family. Will try to catch up on the reading and post my thoughts. Wan An for now.

[Edward C. Patterson]

Xie xie Appleheart.

Ed Patterson

[Ann in Arlington]

Well. . . .I am afraid I'm reading way to fast. . . .they've just arrived at Hua Xing Hot Springs. . . . .I am very much enjoying it. . . .your writing has quirks!  That's not a bad thing; I just found I had to get used to it.  It's a little old fashioned, but at the same time quite modern.  Hard to describe!  But, I admit I like the story well enough to find out what happens in "The Third Peregrination", and by the way, why is it not the Second?  What have I missed?

I also enjoy all thereferences to classic works of literature and broadway musicals. . .though I'm sure I've missed some of them!

Anyway, I hesitate to answer specific questions for fear of giving something away!

[Edward C. Patterson]

Hi Ann, I'm glad you like the work and glad you find me a mix of old and new. That's my style, being mentored by Dickens and King. As for the second and third business. Originally the work was a single volume and then revised to have a sequel, and then retool to accomodate 5 book, so the Third peregrination was originally just the sequel, instead of the second book.

Ed P

[Ann in Arlington]

O.K.  But. . . .The "First" Peregrination would be this whole ramble about China, yes?  If each 'peregrination' is a different quest, I guess I missed something if there is more than one quest in "The Jade Owl". . . .though I ought to know that soon since they're just about to go into the tomb.  I think my question is one of 'counting'. . . . .

[Edward C. Patterson]

Well, The Third peregrination takes the series off into a different tack . . . just you wait.

Ed Patterson

[Ann in Arlington]

Yes. . . .but. . .  .a "Third". . . .implies a "First" and "Second".  That's where my disconnect is.  What is the "first" and what is the "second"?

[Edward C. Patterson]

Ann:

from The Third Peregrination:

“If it wasn’t in the Cave of the Winds in 1164, it must have had a journey before its Ming peregrination.”
Rowden smiled.
“Exactly so.”
He stood, and then glanced toward the Palace at Lin-an. He recalled a vague mention of a third journey. Three times. At the Homestead. He drifted to the painting, staring as if his eyes could burn through its secrets. The vinegary aroma of the Conservancy bit his throat now, although it was the most familiar odor to his calling.
“A third peregrination,” he muttered. “Actually, it’s first. But how?” Suddenly his stomach clenched with a flaming arsenal of grapeshot and shrapnel. If the Jade Owl was at Lin-an in 1164, there must be another tale to know. No wonder the rosebuds weren’t fitting. Some were still remote.
“The Third Peregrination,” Nick whispered. “Looks like our jade friend traveled far afield of Xue Huai-ya.”

Which means you are meant to be confused, as the characters are confused and in fact, the true order of events are not revealed until the fifth book - In the Shadow of Her Hem.

Enigma after enigma.  

Ed P

[Ann in Arlington]

Ah!  "a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma". . . .well, then. . . .it's a good thing I still have some of my 'reward certificate' left. . . . .off to Amazon. . . .

[Edward C. Patterson]

 

Ed P

[Edward C. Patterson]

Well, it's time for me to provide the answers or clues from week 3.

There is great deal of subtext in the negotiation scene between Rowden and Gillenhaal. Can you parse it out?

Something smells in the State of Denmark. Gillenhaal is a lot more shady and seems o be a tad crooked, while Conie Wilson appears to perhaps be an accomplice. Meanwhile, those carpenters are watching these relics with keen eyes.

"Gathering the rosebuds" has a triple meaning. Two are obvious given the text. What are they? The third I'll give you next time (its a secret homage).

The third is a homage to my illustrious ancestor, Robert Herrick, who wrote the poem Advice to Virgins, which has the "Gthe ye rosebuds . . . " line. My grndmother was Hilda Herrick.

Are you smelling China as well as seeing it coming into Hong Kong?

Why would the author (moi) saddle his protagonist with such a tender belly and a tendency for motion sickness?

Rowden is not a super hero in The Jade Owl, and his flaws are many. besides the "huff and puff" the tendancy to have the canon ball rolling in his stomach and to get air sick gives him abit more interest . . . but is also a leeetle bit of a set up for the next novel in the seies.

Did the "pretty predicament" surprise you? Why would I create such a diversion on the outset?

I hope it surprised. Well, it gave me the opportunity to introduce 2 important characters - P'ing Hu and Bradley Moorehouse.

Does anyone know what P'ing Hu means in Chinese. For those of you who have read ahead, you know.

P'ing means soldier in mandarin, and Hu means tiger. P'ing Hu is the Tiger Warrior, a name taken from the Chinese novel Outlaws of the Marsh (a 14th entury Chinese novel that takes place in 12th century China).

Mrs. Joy Gartner-Pendleton is based on an operatic heroine. Any guesses?

Why that would be Puccini's Madama Butterfly, where the heroie is in the same abandonned position. In fact, he little dialogue sequence is, in part, a translation of the aria Un bel vedremo (One day he shall return).

Given this early setup, what role do you sense that sexual tension might pay in future chapters?

This is more a discussion question and I will leave it open.