I love that Sleeman just turns up on an elephant at the beginning of this. He’s a dick, but he knows how to make an entrance. But then I hate that Sleeman is all luxuriously dressed when people are starving! What an ARSE. I also Wonder if the fact that Sleeman dislikes that Rao makes B more inclined to the Rao, given his opinion on Sleeman?
Hogwood finally giving info! Mountstuart apparently just ‘randomly’ became rude to Sleeman - which, uh, he quite obviously deserves it. Interesting that from this the main cause of the split seems to be Mountstuart acting reasonably, trying to assimilate instead of conquer. Also an interesting note on his disappearance, considering what we saw happening to a monkey at the beginning of the book…
Nooooo Avery, don’t betray Blake! Hogwood is not your friend
The dinner scene is interesting. Nobody mentioning the brutality and contradictions of the hanging, all dancing around the subject. I find it interesting that the ladies are trying to draw Blake’s eye instead of Avery’s - who, as you said, is handsome and young and willing to gossip - just how handsome is he??? Blake’s reaction to the hard labour comment from the doctor is fascinating, and also well justified. I love that he calls out so much hypocrisy throughout this. And that bit where he says “Once I would’ve agreed with you” and acknowledges his own change of opinion and developing thoughts is really interesting and great. The conversation between Blake and Sleeman is really just FASCINATING here & I was glued to it.
Avery being all :( at Blake not including him is sad, and also frustrating. The thing is, he really would accept it all if Blake just communicated with him for five seconds!
Chapter 9
Hogwood finally giving info! Mountstuart apparently just ‘randomly’ became rude to Sleeman - which, uh, he quite obviously deserves it. Interesting that from this the main cause of the split seems to be Mountstuart acting reasonably, trying to assimilate instead of conquer. Also an interesting note on his disappearance, considering what we saw happening to a monkey at the beginning of the book…
Nooooo Avery, don’t betray Blake! Hogwood is not your friend
The dinner scene is interesting. Nobody mentioning the brutality and contradictions of the hanging, all dancing around the subject. I find it interesting that the ladies are trying to draw Blake’s eye instead of Avery’s - who, as you said, is handsome and young and willing to gossip - just how handsome is he??? Blake’s reaction to the hard labour comment from the doctor is fascinating, and also well justified. I love that he calls out so much hypocrisy throughout this. And that bit where he says “Once I would’ve agreed with you” and acknowledges his own change of opinion and developing thoughts is really interesting and great. The conversation between Blake and Sleeman is really just FASCINATING here & I was glued to it.
Avery being all :( at Blake not including him is sad, and also frustrating. The thing is, he really would accept it all if Blake just communicated with him for five seconds!
AVERY NO! DON’T BETRAY BLAKE!