The Third Peregrination- Week III - Part Three- - The Hu-tung (10 Chapters)

[Edward C. Patterson]

Well folks, get set, because this section of The Third Peregrination is my favorite of sections for the series and for most of other books. I will need to dance around the discussion questions because of the BIG turn of event SURPRISE in this part of the book that should catch you completely off-guard (I hope). These questions skirt the issue, and if you need to comment on the SURPRISE. I am setting up a parallel Topic called SURPRISE discussion (Spoliers allowed):

1 -TransPacifica has a purpose, believe it or not. Can you guess the purpose of this seeming indifferent prolog. (Some notes will follow)

2 - How does the setting of The Third Peregrination's China destination differ from that of The Jade Owl's.

3 - How would you describe the dynamic between Rose and Rowden? And how can you account for Nick's changing demeanor?

4 - Can you venture a guess on Rowden's new talent with his fingers. How far do you think I'll take it?

5 - There's a bit of dreaming done in this section. Can you tie some of these dreams together without spoiling the SURPRISE

6 - Assignment: Before a mirror say Rffaelo Tost-Tostacaroni seven times.

7 - Although I don;t mention it, what was the fate of Thomas Chen's older brother.

8 - Sydney is undergoing a change also. At this stage can you guess it? (well, two things maybe . .  well, maybe three).

9 - Rose is also changing. Have anything to say about that.

10 - Were you Surprised at the turn of events. (Discuss in the Spolier thread)

11 - What changes do you percieve in Bradley Moorehouse at the end of the section. Where do you think that's going?


Some notes: The plane trip to China is a grueling 24 hours from NYC, and 20 hours rom San Francisco. I originally had a chapter in The Jade Owl on the plane, but canned it as it was just too . . . boring. However, with the added opportunity to set up the character relationships and some "spooky stuff" during the flight lead me to write this opening chapter.

The Hutungs of Bei-jing are really the neighborhoods - the houses have a different, and more tongue twisty name that I only breach once in the next novel. These neighborhoods have been bulldozed for the most part (what a shame) to prepare for the Olympics.

The Bei-jing market (known also as the night market although I take you there during the day) is infamous for its assortment of exotic eats.

I sing, and have belonged to the Rodgewood Gilbert and Sullivan Opera company. Gilbert has been one of my lifelong menotrs (since age 9). Therefore, in my novels are many G&S references - such as Bobby's Trace and Surviving an American Gulag. So it should come as no surprise that I would have Rose sing the banquet chorus from The Sorceror. If you know it when you read it, sing along. It's so much more fun.

I love how I torture poor Sydney. You should hat me for it. 

General Yueh Fei (a prominent character in The Academician, The Nan Tu and Swan Cloud in the Southern Swallow series) becomes the Chinese God of War. The Chinese do not really believe in death as we do, but regard it as a transition, where the three parts of the soul manage to find employment in the ghost world. Yueh Fei landed himself a very good job and is plastered on the walls and doors of Chinese homes throughout the nation.

The 3rd Triangulation is pretty foul (IMNSHO). My plan is to have a general formula for triangulations (K'ai-mens), but each one is radically different from the other. Maybe because Rowde doesn;t fully understand the principle . . . yet.

Well, this is a long stretch - so I will give y'all lots of time to digest it.

How are you liking it so far. I'm not really sure how many people are on board for this first ride through the 2nd book.

Edward C, Patterson

[Edward C. Patterson]

I will be posting Week Four-Five in a day or two. Read ahead, and sorry for the delay.

Ed Patterson

[Ann in Arlington]

1 -TransPacifica has a purpose, believe it or not. Can you guess the purpose of this seeming indifferent prolog. (Some notes will follow)

Character exposition. . . .??

2 - How does the setting of The Third Peregrination's China destination differ from that of The Jade Owl's.

Well, this time they come as honored guests on a more or less open mission.  Last time they were kind of sneaking in.

3 - How would you describe the dynamic between Rose and Rowden? And how can you account for Nick's changing demeanor?

Clearly they know each other very well, falling back a bit into old habits.  Nick is definitely being affected by the owl. . . .though also missing Simon.

4 - Can you venture a guess on Rowden's new talent with his fingers. How far do you think I'll take it?

Again, an effect of the Owl, et al, but how??? No idea.

5 - There's a bit of dreaming done in this section. Can you tie some of these dreams together without spoiling the SURPRISE

  Guess I need to go figure out what the surprise is.  Sydney went white.  Nick and Rowdy are telepathic. . . . . guess I need to keep reading. 

6 - Assignment: Before a mirror say Rffaelo Tost-Tostacaroni seven times.

thanks, I'll pass. 

7 - Although I don;t mention it, what was the fate of Thomas Chen's older brother.

Wasn't he killed at Tienanmen Square?

8 - Sydney is undergoing a change also. At this stage can you guess it? (well, two things maybe . .  well, maybe three).

The white hair is an effect of the artifacts; and of course he's gone gaga over the daughter. . . . . 

9 - Rose is also changing. Have anything to say about that.

  Don't know her well enough to identify any change.

10 - Were you Surprised at the turn of events. (Discuss in the Spolier thread) 

Well, the book is quite long, and we weren't even halfway done, so they had to get out somehow.  Made sense for the man in the back of the room to be the magistrate. . . . . better go look at that spoiler thread

11 - What changes do you percieve in Bradley Moorehouse at the end of the section. Where do you think that's going?

He's more forceful than I remember him. . . . . . . .didn't notice any other changes, though the gotee was mentioned.

Some notes: The plane trip to China is a grueling 24 hours from NYC, and 20 hours rom San Francisco. I originally had a chapter in The Jade Owl on the plane, but canned it as it was just too . . . boring. However, with the added opportunity to set up the character relationships and some "spooky stuff" during the flight lead me to write this opening chapter.

The Hutungs of Bei-jing are really the neighborhoods - the houses have a different, and more tongue twisty name that I only breach once in the next novel. These neighborhoods have been bulldozed for the most part (what a shame) to prepare for the Olympics.

The Bei-jing market (known also as the night market although I take you there during the day) is infamous for its assortment of exotic eats.

I sing, and have belonged to the Rodgewood Gilbert and Sullivan Opera company. Gilbert has been one of my lifelong menotrs (since age 9). Therefore, in my novels are many G&S references - such as Bobby's Trace and Surviving an American Gulag. So it should come as no surprise that I would have Rose sing the banquet chorus from The Sorceror. If you know it when you read it, sing along. It's so much more fun.

I love how I torture poor Sydney. You should hat me for it. 

General Yueh Fei (a prominent character in The Academician, The Nan Tu and Swan Cloud in the Southern Swallow series) becomes the Chinese God of War. The Chinese do not really believe in death as we do, but regard it as a transition, where the three parts of the soul manage to find employment in the ghost world. Yueh Fei landed himself a very good job and is plastered on the walls and doors of Chinese homes throughout the nation.

The 3rd Triangulation is pretty foul (IMNSHO). My plan is to have a general formula for triangulations (K'ai-mens), but each one is radically different from the other. Maybe because Rowde doesn;t fully understand the principle . . . yet.

Well, this is a long stretch - so I will give y'all lots of time to digest it.

How are you liking it so far. I'm not really sure how many people are on board for this first ride through the 2nd book.

Edward C, Patterson

Still enjoying things. . . .we'll see where it goes. . . .I don't think I read as closely as you write, though, if you know what I mean! 

[Edward C. Patterson]

I'll discuss the surprise in the Spolier thread.

Ed P

[dnagirl]

1 -TransPacifica has a purpose, believe it or not. Can you guess the purpose of this seeming indifferent prolog. (Some notes will follow)  It allows us to see how much Rose still cares for Rowdy and some background of their relationship, which we haven't had before.  Also, some foreshadowing with the "magnetic hands" and new abilities that the group may have.

2 - How does the setting of The Third Peregrination's China destination differ from that of The Jade Owl's.  In the Jade Owl, Some of the seedy underbelly of China was seen.  The group stayed in hotels, etc and were more "tourists" for some of the book.  This time around, they stay at Ch'en's house (and house is an understatement, maybe compound would be a better description) and we see more of the everyday life in China than we did before.  In addition, there certainly was no work camp for prisoners in the first book!

3 - How would you describe the dynamic between Rose and Rowden? And how can you account for Nick's changing demeanor?  I love the dynamic between Rose and Rowdy.  I think that they are two people who couldn't be married to each other but are still very, very fond of each other.  I like the teasing that goes on between them, as old friends do.  It's a relationship I didn't expect, as I thought Rose was more written as a brutal, uncaring bitch in the first book and the beginning of this one.  Nick's demeanor is changing because he is being affected by the Owl, perhaps even possessed in some way.  It seems that someone is using him to speak, through the Owl.  Perhaps the priest (sorry, I can't keep these names straight)?

4 - Can you venture a guess on Rowden's new talent with his fingers. How far do you think I'll take it?  He seems to have some sort of telekinesis or psychokinesis.  I love that he calls himself Magneto.  How far will you take it?  Hopefully far enough that he can wring Mrs. Wu's neck with his mind.

5 - There's a bit of dreaming done in this section. Can you tie some of these dreams together without spoiling the SURPRISE  The wall and speakers are foreshadowing.  Nick's horn is as well.

6 - Assignment: Before a mirror say Rffaelo Tost-Tostacaroni seven times.  Psh, I can't even pronounce it once.  Is it "toast" or "tost"?

7 - Although I don;t mention it, what was the fate of Thomas Chen's older brother.  He died at Tienamen square.  You did mention it.  Unless I have the wrong bother.

8 - Sydney is undergoing a change also. At this stage can you guess it? (well, two things maybe . .  well, maybe three).  Obviously, his hair.  He is also falling in love.  I also think he's going to perform some sort of important role with the triangulations in the future.

9 - Rose is also changing. Have anything to say about that.  I'm not sure how I feel about it.  She's pretty much pimping herself out, and I understand why, but part of it doesn't seem to be in her nature.  I love the relationship between herself and Nick though...the mother/son thing they've got going on.

10 - Were you Surprised at the turn of events. (Discuss in the Spolier thread)  Yes I was.  I thought it was an interesting twist, especially since they seemed to have escaped "big trouble" up to this point.  I must tell you, Ed, I don't know if I'm a super-sap or if it's the time of the month, but I cried from the kindness of Li Yuan and Lu Xian.  Seriously real tears.  That part really touched me.

11 - What changes do you percieve in Bradley Moorehouse at the end of the section. Where do you think that's going?  He's become quite a force to reckon with.  He may be needed to get them out of more trouble in the future, or help them to remain in China for a longer time.  They definitely need someone who can deal with the government.

[Edward C. Patterson]

dnagirl:

You are a really engaged reader - 100% on target. As for the tears - I thank you for it, because I never get through that section myself without those tears (and you'll need them or other things, both in this book, the next and in The Nan Tu where . . . well, I'll not kiss and tell).

[dnagirl]

dnagirl:

You are a really engaged reader - 100% on target. As for the tears - I thank you for it, because I never get through that section myself without those tears (and you'll need them or other things, both in this book, the next and in The Nan Tu where . . . well, I'll not kiss and tell).

Then, I'd better buy more tissues.     No kissing and telling.  I love to be surprised.