The Distant Cousin Discussion Board (spoiler-free)

[Neekeebee]

1.  Were you at all surprised by the scene where Matt and Ana were brought back together after the Olympics?  Were you disappointed that sex was not a part of it?
I always assumed Matt would be a big part of Darcy’s life.  It seemed right that Matt would take things slow b/c above all, he wants to take care of Darcy, and also, she seems kind of young and innocent.

4.  Her interviewer was modeled after a real person.  Does anyone know who?
I’m really not sure, but I want to guess one of the people on 60 Minutes.  I don’t watch any of those shows enough to name names.

5.  Agent Aldridge's meeting reveals several things about the story.  What things? 
The FBI has been ordered to leave Darcy alone, and Darcy has been invited to visit with the President if she chooses.  I don’t expect Darcy to voluntarily reveal herself, but now I’m wondering if the government will, at some point, want to know more about her world and twist her arm into cooperating?

6.  Ana's move to New Mexico isn't even the half-way point, yet she's already killed them at the Olympics and delivered her message.  Any expectations about where the rest of the story is headed?
It will be about how Darcy adapts to life on Earth and with Matt?  I’m really not sure at this point.  Back to reading!

N

[BrassMan]

Ana's interviewer was based on the real John McLaughlin, who does a show called "One on One" on public tv, and also a "Meet the Press" sort of show called "The McLaughlin Group," also on public tv. But maybe that's for political junkies.

[Dreamer]

Sorry, I've been away from my computer recently, hope it's not to late to post these!

1.  Were you at all surprised by the scene where Matt and Ana were brought back together after the Olympics?  Were you disappointed that sex was not a part of it?

No, I wasn't surprised, I thought it was inevitable that they would be brought back together.  He's clearly set up as the love interest at this point, and there's so much of the book left!  I wasn't disappointed that sex wasn't a part of it, I actually would have been disappointed if it had been. Maybe I'm old fashioned but I think their relationship still needs time to grow.

2.  What did you learn about Ana (and Matt) as they drove to Ana's interview in San Antonio?

I think they are starting to get comfortable with each other, and to talk to each other a little more. 

3.  Did Ana's interview with John McLauphin help answer your question, PraiseGod13?

I liked how Ana approached the interview, that her sense of fairness made her give the medals back to be awarded to their rightful winners.  She had accomplished the goal she sought (international renown) and wanted to make sure that those athletes were justly rewarded for their efforts.

4.  Her interviewer was modeled after a real person.  Does anyone know who?

I caught the reference to John McLaughlin from "the McLaughlin Group."  Actually I didn't catch the spelling difference until you asked the question.  I don't watch it, but I knew of it's existence, does that make me a political junkie? 

5.  Agent Aldridge's meeting reveals several things about the story.  What things?

I'm not sure what it reveals, but I was suspicious.  The feds are often the villains and they seemed to clearly be the persecutors in the first part of the book.  It makes me wonder if they are just trying to lure her out for further study, of if they have some other ulterior motive. 

6.  Ana's move to New Mexico isn't even the half-way point, yet she's already killed them at the Olympics and delivered her message.  Any expectations about where the rest of the story is headed?

No, there's too much left!  I'm guessing there will be more to do with her home planet and her people, but I'm looking forward to finding out.

[BrassMan]

Thanks, Dreamer! I had about decided everyone in the Klub was off on spring break. Now I'm beginning to realize that readers are spread out all over the place, not only in the book, but in their lives. Some are in three or more book klubs! So I'll adjust, widen my focus, and go with the flow. Mellow Al, that's me.

Good half-way point guess! You're close...very close!

You all keep posting and discussing as you can, and I'll keep scattering more questions at the leading edge. In fact, that's where I'm headed now.

[Ann in Arlington]

Al. . . .just so you know. . . .I do intend to read your book. . . .I'm just barely getting caught up with In Her Name and intend to do Distant Cousin next. . . .when I get  there, I'll resurrect these discussion threads. . .

Ann

[BrassMan]

That's fine, Ann. Proceed at your own pace. I'm sure Betsy will leave these threads open, so while we'll go ahead with the discussion now, for those who're staying up (or are finished), it'll be no problem to include those who come later.

[Ann in Arlington]

Turns out you can read the whole book when you're sitting in a car as it is driven from Tallahassee to Washington DC. 

Really enjoyed it, and have just had a chance to read through this thread. . . .and now I see I have to get ready for work.  Rats. . .but I'll have some thoughts to post this evening.

I will note that I recognized John McLaughlin right away.  I personally would not have made the name so close. . .I am not a fan and was at first put off by the similarity of names.  I would have picked something very generic so that it was NOT obviously based on a real commentator.   I noticed you didn't use real folks for the Olympic commentators, just first names.  Granted, they're much smaller parts. . . .

Ack!  Gotta go!

Ann

[BrassMan]

I'd love a long Kindle session in a car, or even better, a train. If only we had more passenger trains!

I'm not a big fan of John McLaughlin either. I borrowed him for a model because of his ruff-tuff reputation and his crotchetiness, and also, I admit, for his underlying sense of fairness. He's not a kook or a blowtorch, like some. He's smart, and gruff, and direct, just what I needed for that scene. You'd recognize another roman a clef character in Repatriation, too. I wonder if you'd react the same way....