Past Life Diagnosis -This was fun, and I must say I liked my diagnosis. Enter your birthday and find out what you were. Here’s mine:

Your past life diagnosis:
I don’t know how you feel about it, but you were female in your last earthly incarnation.You were born somewhere in the territory of modern Newfoundland around the year 725. Your profession was that of a builder of houses, temples and cathedrals.

 Your brief psychological profile in your past life: You had the mind of a scientist, always seeking new explanations. Your environment often misunderstood you, but respected your knowledge.

The lesson that your last past life brought to your present incarnation: Magic is everywhere around you, even in the most usual, most ordinary situations. Your lesson is to understand this magic and to help other people to see it, too. You are a magician!

Do you remember now?

I’m still misunderstood in this life too  LOL    What were you in your past life?

Bright blessings, Lady Rose 

Written by Lady RoseTags:blog things

What the “Bleep” Do We Know!? – Down the Rabbit Hole

Tagline: a quantum fable

Plot Synopsis: “WHAT THE #$*! DO WE KNOW?!” is a radical departure from convention. It demands a freedom of view and greatness of thought so far unknown, indeed, not even dreamed of since Copernicus. It’s a documentary. It’s a story. It’s mind-blowing special effects. This film plunges you into a world where quantum uncertainty is demonstrated – where neurological processes, and perceptual shifts are engaged and lived by its protagonist – where everything is alive, and reality is changed by every thought.

__________________________

Marlee Matlin plays the lead in the “story” part of the DVD, playing a bitter and disillusioned photographer who begins to question her perceptions of reality and the world around her after a bad break-up.

The “story” is spliced with interviews with both quantum physics experts and New Age authors.

The science and acted both portions of the film explore the concept of multiple realities existing at once.

It explores the concept of emotional addiction. That our brains actually become hardwired into whatever mindset we repeat over and over … anger … depression … hopelessness.

It explores how thoughts can have affects on the world around us, using the experiments on water by Dr. Emoto.

It explores particle physics (a branch of physics that studies the elementary constituents of matter and radiation, and the interactions between them) and quantum physics (a science that deals with how the atoms and subatomic particles in matter and waves behave) and tries to make all the concepts understandable to the lay-person.

The movie explores the teachings of JZ Knight/Ramtha, of whom the three directors are (according to Wikipedia) devotees. The movie loses me a little here. Yes I am a Witch and I believe that mediumship is entirely possible.  I believe in the concept of channeling, I believe in spirits and ghosts and in past lives.  I have drawn down the Goddess in ritual and so if I deny the “truth” that came to someone in an altered state of consciousness (not drug induced) I am certainly guilty of throwing stones while living in a glass house.

However, I tend to carry a large salt shaker with me when asked to believe in any specific psychic because there are many dishonest people in the world, and even someone with a good heart can be deceived by flights of imagination.  Add to the mix a psychic who claims to channel yet another entity from a hypothetical civilization (Ramtha is supposed to have originated in Lemuria and once battled the Atlantians) and I tend to get a bit cynical.

One big negative is that not every “fact” stated in the movie is 100% accurate. Wikipedia has a good list of the mistakes and errors on their site for the movie.

That being said, I liked the movie. I don’t care is some of it is more metaphysical than scientific.  I’m not even sure I care if some of it is more fiction that fact, or is exaggerated.  What I enjoyed was that the movie made me think about possibilities. It made me look at my own reality a little differently.  It made me think about the power of my thoughts and words.

The overall message of the film is that we, each of us, every day create our own reality. And that sometimes, changing that reality can begin as easily as changing our thoughts. Is this a bit “new age”? Is it a bit of “magical thinking”?  Sure! But since when did a Pagan take offense at that? LOL

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:magic, movie review, movies, quantum physics

Woke up to a lovely blanket of white snow this morning – enough to look nice, but not enough to make the commute to work to icky.  It was a beautiful morning.  

This weekend Mama Kelly and I had our monthly visit.  As always, it was great.  I sooooo wish she lived closer so we could get together more often, but at least she is close enough that we can do a monthly sleep over.  We exchanged Christmas gifts, talked about life, books we’ve read, her classes and of course the Harry Potter party plans.

One of my presents was a dvd “Down the Rabbit Hole” – it turns out it was something my husband had only caught part of on tv just about a week or so ago and had loved it and wished he had taped it cause he knew I would really like it too.  When I got home, we watched almost all of it (my daughter wasn’t feeling well so when she woke up from a nap, we let her watch her shows on tv and turned off the movie).    It is a fascinating look at how science is delving into the realms of quantum physics.  They are doing experiments on how thought affects water, how focusing with intent on an object can affect it, and so much more.   I love learning about the science stuff – but I get very excited about the whole idea of how science is actually “proving” some of the theory behind how “magic” works – focused intent (emotions and thoughts) can affect the physical world.

Mama Kelly loaned me a book she had read – The Tenth Circle.   She wrote a great review in an earlier post.  I was able to finish it in one sitting.  It is very well written and I enjoyed it.   I especially found interesting the references to Dante’s hell — and how there should be a special place in hell for the souls of people who had lied to themselves (the 10th  circle).   I would definitely recommend it.

The creative planning in preparation for the big Harry Potter party in May is winding down — and now my time and energy is more focused on getting projects done (copies made, gluing on glitter and feathers, etc.).  I will be adding pages to our blog about the party — such as the invitation, recipes, signs that I made up, etc.   Since I have no clue about adding graphics, those will have to wait until MamaKelly and I have time when we get together to scan things.  Also Mama Kelly will be organizing the pages after I get them posted, and making sure the right links are on the main page and links back to the main page are on the indivdiual pages – all the technical stuff I know nothing about.   But I’m sure there will be enough fun and useful resource info. to be of interest to any one who might interested in planning a Harry Potter Party.  So just keep checking back because the collection of info.  will get bigger and organized better over time.

One of the things Mama Kelly and I enjoy doing is planning parties – I suggested to her this weekend that we should in the future post some of our other ideas and things we have done.  Several years ago I put together a 12 course Medieval Dinner for friends as their Yule Gift – it took a year to get together also.   If I can find my old notes I may eventually put that up on some blog pages as well.

Bright Blessings,  Lady Rose

Written by Lady RoseTags:harry potter, life, party planning

I found a few MORE wonderful ideas for the Harry Potter party.

Check out these great 5 foot inflatable wands!!! ONLY @2.49 each.  I found a wholesale lot on ebay, so I’m hoping to get a bunch for less.  They will look awesome all around the hall we rented for our Harry Potter Party.

For Herbology class I decided that having edible grass just wasn’t enough.  So I’m including instructions to make a Hogwarts Greenhouse from a soda bottle (terrarium), and I found some great mini pumpkin seeds from a nice farmer on ebay to hand out as well.  I am also ordering lovely small dried pumpkins from England (only about $4 for 20) to hang from a 4 ft xmas tree, so each guest can harvest one to take home.   (There really is such a thing as a pumpkin tree, and I ordered seeds — hopefully I’ll be able to grow a few, but they won’t be ready in time for the May Party — but if I have one for Halloween they will be cool!)

I am still drooling over these great golden celestrial goblets, but at $2.49 each for 24 kids  for the birthday party it’s too much.  I will, however, get at least one or two sets of them for the smaller party I want to have for Book 7 release.

The second dragon staff from Alivan’s arrived — but it did not survive shipping either.   Alivan’s was wonderful about it, and will refund my money with no problem.  But I’m disappointed, because I really loved the staff, but if it’s breaking that easily in the mail — I can’t imagine how it would survive being used as a prop for parties and halloween’s in years to come, so it is probably for the best that I’m getting my $90 back.  I did indulge in a wonderful little Book of Charms bracelet that they have.   I just love their stuff!

I was thinking IF the 7th book doesn’t come out in July (7/7/07) — then what other date might be promising as a possibility.

How about 12/31/07 ? – Dec 31 is Voldemort’s birthdate.   The series is about Harry — but it is also tied to Voldemort, because without him, Harry wouldn’t have become famous.  Being New Year’s Eve – it is the end of the year and the beginning of a new year, an almost perfect fit for the end of the series but also the beginning of a new life for the wizarding world (one without Voldemort, hopefully).  All the kids would be out of school the next day for the holiday.   And think of all the parties and pre-release merchandise they could put out just in time for Christmas.

I just can’t wait for the book – but then, I don’t want it to be over either!          

It also puts it six months after the movie comes out (July 13, 2007).  As much as 7/7/07 sounds great – I just really can’t see the powers that be, releasing the book and movie so close together.

Any way that is my two cents for today.  

Magically yours,  Lady Rose

Written by Lady RoseTags:harry potter

Ok so I know I said I was done shopping – and well I am – mostly , except when I get a cool idea to make something even better   LOL Any way – the herbology class was definitely lacking something – all I had was edible grass – and even labeling it scurvy grass with the info. about it from the Harry Potter books, it didn’t seem to be all that exciting.

SOOOOOO - I came up with the idea of a handout – no cost there, just find some info., type it up, make copies and pass it out. I found instructions for making a terrarium (greenhouse) out of a plastic soda bottle.     But of course, as my brain mulled over the idea more and more – I thought well the kids need some kind of SEEDS for their terrarium. And I decided – PUMPKINS! after searching the web and discovering there are a variety of mini pumpkins out there and then pricing seeds (which ended up being a lot more then I expected) I found a nice disabled farmer on ebay who is selling lots of pygmy pumpkin seeds for a very reasonable price (25 for only 99 cents) – so I am ordering a few batches at 99 cents each, and each party guest will get 8 to 10 seeds to plant.

Of course I’ll make up a nice label for their packet of seeds – something like Magical Pigmy-Pumpkins (from Hogwarts’ pumpkin patch)

Magically yours, Lady Rose

Written by Lady RoseTags:harry potter

Since we are renting a hall for our BIG Harry Potter Party (to celebrate my daughter’s 11 birthday in May) – I have had to rethink some of my original plans for decorating that I had when it was going to be at my house.  It is both exciting to have so much room to use and overwhelming trying to figure out how to fill the space and give it a Harry Potter atmosphere with out breaking the bank with expensive stuff, but also not just using crepe paper and balloons. 

There will be four areas of the Hall – Diagon Alley, The Three Broomsticks Inn, The Hogwarts Classroom, and the Wizard Tournament Area.

Luckily I have collected a lot of odds and ends over the years – so I can use items I already for some of the displays.

Diagon Alley will be at the top of the steps as you enter the room (the room is on the second floor).  The first table will have one of my good friends there as the greeter, who will hand out small bags of gold coins for the kids to use in the their shopping spree at the various shops.  She will also give them a large white shopping bag that has a large lable on it with a clip art wizard saying “I shopped at Diagon Alley May 2007″ and room to add their name (so no one looses their goodie bag).  On this first table I will have two large display boards (kind used for school science fairs) with signs for the various shops as well as funny signs for various vacations offered by Terror Tours (all of which I made on the computer using clip art and fancy fonts – i.e. Dances with Werewolfs, Zombie Trails, etc.).  Having the boards also hides some of what lies behind them so the kids will be surprised as they turn the corner and find two rows of tables that they will walk between to shop (creating an “alley”).

Ollivanders – each student will buy a wand (made from chopsticks and wooden beads for handle).  Each wand will have a tag saying what wood and core it is made from, and will be individually wrapped in tissue paper.  I have a couple of wands I will have on display that came in “official” wand boxes.

Flourish & Botts and Scribbulus Everchanging Inks – each student will recieve a large 42 pg. Hogwarts Encyclopedia of Magic (which I put together with various  info., Harry Potter type recipes and clip art, etc.  and will be having copied at stables, using for the cover heat sensitive paper that changes colors when touched for a magical affect) and an inexpensive quill pen (I got a couple dozen from ebay very cheap).  I will have various books on display that I have already - such as Dragonology, Wizardology, a book on fairies, and of course all the Harry Potter Books.

The Daily Prophet – a free copy of the daily prophet (one page two sided that I created on the computer with funny ads and articles, a word search), with entry forms for 4 door prizes.

Free Magical Face Painting and Tattoos – my sister and her friend are going to help out here.  I have several Harry Potter tattoos and  HP stamp kits with ink that can be used on skin, face painting crayons for simple magical designs, and a some glitter and gem face makeup kits, and 3 mirrors (from the Dollar Store).

Slug and Jiggers Apothecary — the students will buy their cauldrons here filled with a few potion ingredients (eye of newt (a plastic eyeball), flow in the dark spiders, snakes, and frogs — all of which I got very inexpensively from Oriental Trading).  I will have on display a stone mortar and pestle and lots of various odd jars I’ve been collecting for the past several months with labels of various potion ingredients and potions (labels created on the computer and information is easily looked up at the Harry Potter Lexicon).

Magical Menagerie, Eeylops Owl Emporium, and Wesley’s Wizard Wheezes — I will be setting up a display of various stuffed critters we have, plus a few owls.  There will also be a big basket of free pigmy puffs (puff balls with glued on google eyes) from Wisley’s Wizard Wheezes for each student.

Honeydukes will be closed (until 6 pm because I don’t want the kids to eat all that candy BEFORE classes and the big feast) — but I will have a LOT of large glass jars on display with various candies in them (with appropriate Harry Potter type labels of course — like Canary Creams, Licorice Wands, Treacle Fudge, etc.)  I will have a tablecloth covering the goodie bags and the free samples.   Each goodie bag will have several pieces of official Harry Potter candy (small box of bertie bott beans, chocolate frog, acid pop, cockroach cluster, fizzing whizzbees, droobles best blowing gum that I ordered from Amason – which is actaully one of the most expensive investments for this party, all total about $400 worth), as well as a few items I am making (peppermint cream toads & sugar quilles) or found substitutes for (ice mice -putting a label on white gummy mice I found at the Dollar Store) and unicorn horns (spiral multi-color lollipop) – these were so pretty I just couldn’t resist, and the extras will look great as part of the display.

There will also be lots of treacle fudge (chocolate fudge with golded “treacle”  syrup added) and other candies in bowls  that they can sample.

Along with two big cauldrons we got at Halloween that I hope to have billowing smoke (dry ice), and the lights turned off with window blinds drawn and the overhead disco ball on — for a soft, magical lighting affect, and of course the sound track playing for the first movie — I hope this first event of the day (Shopping at Diagon Alley) will set the appropriate magical atmosphere and get everyone in a Harry Potter Party state of mind.

I’ll be posting more of my decorating plans and of course all about the 9 classes later on.

Magically yours,  Lady Rose

For all the details about the party see: Harry Potter Birthday Party

Written by Lady RoseTags:harry potter

As I’ve recently posted I am returning to college in hopes of eventually earning an education degree and starting a career. If only I had listened to my elders and earned that degree while I was still young and “free” but better late than never eh?

I am now in my late 30s. I have a husband who is on permanent disability, a daughter in middle school and another in grammar school. We own a rental propery but live with my father. I have a shitty job where it takes 25 hours of work just to pay my insurace premium and I try to work 40-47 hours every week so that I have a paycheck that amounts to something when that is done.

I have homework to check every night and (now) schoolwork of my own to do. I have to find time for quality time with my girls and my husband and PopPop expects a sitdown family dinner every night. Needless to say that time is a precious commodity for me.

This Blog is a huge part of my life and I gladly devote hours a week to it, mainly achieved by blogging while I sit and watch TV in the evenings with Hubby with makes our quality time sort of “demented and sad” albeit still “social”.

While not much will change at first, as I am only going to school one night a week this semester I HAVE to get myself organized by the time the summer semester starts or things will quickly fall between the cracks.

The house has to get organized – cleaned top to bottom; weeding out possessions to either sell, donate or (if need be) rent storage for.

The older child needs to get a list of chores – to be financially compensated for of course – so that things like sweeping, dusting, vacuuming, etc etc etc can be done for me.

The younger child will also have chores, more suitable for her age, which will probably make her the Queen of Clutter control. LOL

And me? I’m going to have to budget my time very carefully to avoid insanity.

One of the things I will need to do is to have one night a week where I write blog posts ahead of time. I will probably write one personal blog entry a week to keep you all up to date with life, children, work, school, and what not. One main advange of this will be that there will continue to be fresh content daily, but more of it will have a Pagan focus.

I will also have to delegate one day a week where I visit everybody’s blogs to read and to comment; take care of any new traffic generation (joining blogrolls, submitting rss feeds, etc.); and to catch up on all blog related e-mails.

It will be a struggle to work 47 hours a week and to go to school, to manage a home and parenthood and marriage, to still find time to be somewhat social and see irl friends such as Lady Rose, to read good books and watch TV with the man I love. And while I fully expect the next few years to be hell on wheels I know in my heart that I am on the right path and that it will, in the end, be very much worth it.

May All Your Own Dreams Come True
Blessings

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:life, school, work

I couldn’t resist putting in my two cents on the discussion of what where why and who.

I agree with Mama Kelly that Snape is probably working on Dumbledore’s orders, as a way to “save” Draco from committing murder, but protect him at the same time the whole thing was set up.  Draco is pretty awful, but he’s still just a kid who’s family has been threatened with a father who has a twisted sense of what is right and wrong – I don’t think Draco would ever be a nice fellow, but I he may be able to be saved from completely going over to the dark side.

As far as the release date – I don’t think it will be July 7, 2007.  The book would have to get to the publishers within the next couple of weeks since it takes at least 6 months to get a book published (I forget where I read that but somewhere).  Any way, J.K. Rowling is making great progress on the book (as posts on her website indicate), but there is no hint of her being “close” to the end yet.

Even though the date is definitely tied to the whole Harry Potter story so far — I think it is to close to the release of the 5th movie.   The hype would be OVER the top if both were to come out at around the same time — but more hype and therefore more profit could be made if the movie came out separately from the book, and let’s face it — movie and book executives are more interested in profit then whether or not the fans want the book released on a particularly significant date.  There are other possible dates that could be of significance and my guess it will be later in the year.  Perhaps in time for the winter holiday?   J.K. Rowling defintely will insist that whenever the release date is, that it doesn’t interfere with school.  But perhaps a weekend release would be sufficient.   I sincerely hope we don’t have to wait until the summer of 2008 – I don’t think I could bare it.  However, part of me says — yes wait!!!  because once it’s out – then we have the answers and the waiting is over — and I don’t want it over yet.

Plus on a purely personal side — I don’t want the book and movie to come out to close together because I want to have two separate parties!!!!    LOL    and have the time between each one so I can cook and make plans etc.

I will be posting later this week with more of Harry Potter Party Plans so be sure to stop back often.   

Magically yours, Lady Rose

Written by Lady RoseTags:deathly hallows, harry potter

The Tenth Circle: A Novel

A Short Synopsis (taken from www.jodipicoult.com)

“When Daniel Stone was a child, he was the only white boy in a native Eskimo village where his mother taught, and he was teased mercilessly because he was different. He fought back, (becoming)the baddest of the bad kids: stealing, drinking, robbing and cheating his way out of the Alaskan bush – where he honed his artistic talent, fell in love with a girl and got her pregnant. To become part of a family, he reinvented himself – jettisoning all that anger to become a docile, devoted husband and father. Fifteen years later, when we meet Daniel again, he is a comic book artist. His wife teaches Dante’s Inferno at a local college; his daughter, Trixie, is the light of his life – and a girl who only knows her father as the even-tempered, mild-mannered man he has been her whole life. Until, that is, she is date raped…and Daniel finds himself struggling, again, with a powerlessness and a rage that may not just swallow him whole, but destroy his family and his future.”

I’ve read this book twice now.  The first time, straight-through in one night staying up much past my bedtime.  The second time in chunks which were read slowly and savored … much like a sucking candy twirled on the tongue (to borrow a concept from the novel).

The story itself:

This is a multi-facted story.  As it opens we meet Daniel who has devoted himself to his wife and child and is now just watching it all drift away.  His wife, Laura, is home less and less and is removed and distant when she is present.  His daughter, Trixie, is growing up and coping with a broken heart for the very first time.

One night (coincidently while Laura is with her lover, Seth) Trixie goes to a party at her friend Zephyr’s house with the intention of flirting with all the boys and making her ex-boyfriend Jason jealous enough to want her back.  However at the night’s end she comes home disheveled, with clothing torn, accusing her ex of rape.

And, if you’ll pardon the cliche … all Hell breaks loose.

The good

Lots of rich evocative language painting emotion and scenery with equal skill.

Having each of the three major characters change so dramatically over the course of the book took a great deal of skill to keep it feeling realistic and believable.

Graphic novel pages depicting the character Daniel’s comic book in progess as it changes to reflect the real life horror that had bled into his daily life.

All too brief glimpses of Innuit culture.

Scary glimpses of teenage party activities — I consider myself duly warned and my daughter may never go to a party, ever … seriously … I may just mean it.

The skillful way that Ms. Picoult illustrates love … first love, passionate love, illicit love, love at first sight, love that we are so comfortable with that it is almost dull.  She manages to convey tender moments that touch your heart as well as the other moments that break it.

The ex-boyfriend, the alleged rapist, is portrayed very vividly.  There are moments you hate him and moments you feel sorry for him.  There are even moments when you “look at him” and wonder who’s side you’re on in this battle of he said/she said.

The bad

Too much emphasis on Dante’s Inferno and it’s 9 levels of Hell.  After the first couple of chapters I got it.  They were each in Hell … in a way of their own making … and without escape they could only plod through and hope to come out the other side.

While the multiple storylines do all pull together at the end (for the most part) I was often finding myself distracted by the constant jumping about in time and space …

The down and dirty

I’ll admit that at first read this book made me angry because one of the main storylines is Trixie’s ever-changing version of the events of the night in question.  It felt like the book was turning a victim into a criminal.

However upon re-reading I have changed my position mainly because I found myself more and more placing myself in Trixie’s shoes … in her place … wondering what I would do under those circumstances.

Could I, in an exam room with my father present honestly answer a question about previous sexual experience?

What would I do if I woke up to someone I loved having sex with me, sex that I never consented to?

This is a beautiful book at times.  It also has moments of deep emotion.  While the rape itself is never actually depicted aside from flashes and bits and pieces (mainly because Trixie’s own memory of that night is similarly disjointed) the affects of that rape are clearly illustrated. 

The most disturbing part for me was the town’s outcry .. not against the alleged rapist, but against the victim who MUST be lying because the golden boy of the town (bright, talented, and beautiful) could not possibly be capable of such an act.

Another part that disturbs me is that this book, very purposefully, keeps moving the line that defines rape.

Is it rape if the girl dressed provocatively?

Is it rape is the girl was flirting with other boys?

Is it rape if the girl acquiessed to kissing and touching?

Is it rape if the girl never actually says no out loud and only tries and fails to get away?

The long and short of it

Is it worth reading?  Yes … but read it slowly … while the side-plots seem to be distracting they do all play in to the conclusion.  And I give credit to Ms. Picoult for keeping me guessing until the very end.

Blessings

Mama Kelly

Written by Mama KellyTags:book review, books, jodi picoult, reading

The Tenth Circle by Jodi Picoult – a convoluted tale of family, date rape, infidelity, lies, deceit.

Just in case you think all I read is Harry Potter ….

A Short Synopsis (from www.jodipicoult.com)

“When Daniel Stone was a child, he was the only white boy in a native Eskimo village where his mother taught, and he was teased mercilessly because he was different. He fought back, (becoming)the baddest of the bad kids: stealing, drinking, robbing and cheating his way out of the Alaskan bush – where he honed his artistic talent, fell in love with a girl and got her pregnant. To become part of a family, he reinvented himself – jettisoning all that anger to become a docile, devoted husband and father. Fifteen years later, when we meet Daniel again, he is a comic book artist. His wife teaches Dante’s Inferno at a local college; his daughter, Trixie, is the light of his life – and a girl who only knows her father as the even-tempered, mild-mannered man he has been her whole life. Until, that is, she is date raped…and Daniel finds himself struggling, again, with a powerlessness and a rage that may not just swallow him whole, but destroy his family and his future.”

I’ve read this book twice now. The first time, straight-through in one night staying up much past my bedtime. The second time in chunks which were read slowly and savored … much like a sucking candy twirled on the tongue (to borrow a concept from the novel).

The story itself:

This is a multi-facted story. As it opens we meet Daniel who has devoted himself to his wife and child and is now just watching it all drift away. His wife, Laura, is home less and less and is removed and distant when she is present. His daughter, Trixie, is growing up and coping with a broken heart for the very first time.

One night (coincidently while Laura is with her lover, Seth) Trixie goes to a party at her friend Zephyr’s house with the intention of flirting with all the boys and making her ex-boyfriend Jason jealous enough to want her back. However at the night’s end she comes home disheveled, with clothing torn, accusing her ex of rape.

And, if you’ll pardon the cliche … all Hell breaks loose.

The good

Lots of rich evocative language painting emotion and scenery with equal skill.

Having each of the three major characters change so dramatically over the course of the book took a great dela of skill to keep it feeling realistic and believable.

Graphic novel pages depicting the character Daniel’s comic book in progess as it changes to reflect the real life horror that had bled into his daily life.

All too brief glimpses of Innuit culture.

Scary glimpses of teenage party activities — I consider myself duly warned and my daughter may never go to a party, ever … seriously … I may just mean it.

The skillful way that Ms. Picoult illustrates love … first love, passionate love, illicit love, love at first sight, love that we are so comfortable with that it is almost dull. She manages to convey tender moments that touch your heart as well as the other moments that break it.

The ex-boyfriend, the alleged rapist, is portrayed very vividly. There are moments you hate him and moments you feel sorry for him. There are even moments when you “look at him” and wonder who’s side you’re on in this battle of he said/she said.

The bad

Too much emphasis on Dante’s Inferno and it’s 9 levels of Hell. After the first couple of chapters I got it. They were each in Hell … in a way of their own making … and without escape they could only plod through and hope to come out the other side.

While the multiple storylines do all pull together at the end (for the most part) I was often finding myself distracted by the constant jumping about in time and space …

The down and dirty

I’ll admit that at first read this book made me angry because one of the main storylines is Trixie’s ever-changing version of the events of the night in question. It felt like the book was turning a victim into a criminal.

However upon re-reading I have changed my position mainly because I found myself more and more placing myself in Trixie’s shoes … in her place … wondering what I would do under those circumstances.

Could I, in an exam room with my father present honestly answer a question about previous sexual experience?

What would I do if I woke up to someone I loved having sex with me, sex that I never consented to?

This is a beautiful book at times. It also has moments of deep emotion. While the rape itself is never actually depicted aside from flashes and bits and pieces (mainly because Trixie’s own memory of that night is similarly disjointed) the affects of that rape are clearly illustrated.

The most disturbing part for me was the town’s outcry .. not against the alleged rapist, but against the victim who MUST be lying because the golden boy of the town (bright, talented, and beautiful) could not possibly be capable of such an act.

Another part that disturbs me is that this book, very purposefully, keeps moving the line that defines rape.

Is it rape if the girl dressed provocatively?
Is it rape is the girl was flirting with other boys?
Is it rape if the girl acquiessed to kissing and touching?
Is it rape if the girl never actually says no out loud and only tries and fails to get away?

The long and short of it

Is it worth reading? Yes … but read it slowly … while the side-plots seem to be distracting they do all play in to the conclusion. And I give credit to Ms. Picoult for keeping me guessing until the very end.

The Tenth Circle: A Novel

Written by Mama KellyTags:book review