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• (47-1) Pamela has met all the requirements asked of her by the informant, so perhaps now he feels comfortable with a one-on-one meeting. It hadn't occurred to me that the timing was strange, but the author of the notes is still a big question. (47-2) Pamela is very upset that Casey does not want her to visit again and I fully understand his reasoning and why Jamie would agree to this abstinence. It makes sense, but Pamela is using her heart and not her head when she objects. For her own piece of mind she wants to see Casey; but for his piece of mind she needs to stay away. She should listen to the boys since they know the best course of action in this matter. (47-3) I'm not like Pamela here, I would want to feel safe and staying at the house now that she knows her prickly feelings of being watched were well founded, is not only stubborn, but stupid. She's risking not only her welfare, but that of Lawrence and they don't need any avoidable trouble. >>> -- Denise, 17:00:41 09/30/07 Sun

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• Casey (as well as others) feel that they can take the punishment and it won't break them spiritually. The physical beating is horrible, but skin can heal and broken bones can mend, but one's will to live and inner soul can be irrevocably broken. Casey has lived through this before and knows he can do it again, he didn't believe that Shane would be so strong. To manage this, Casey had to call upon inner reserves, but ones he knew he had. Shane will hopefully learn from this experience and recognize that he is not alone, but part of a community while on the ship and his actions affect not one, but the whole. (NT) -- Denise, 17:12:09 09/30/07 Sun
  • I felt the same way Denise. Casey has experienced this before and survived. True that he was probably about the same age as Shane when it happened to him, but he's not the type of person to assume 'well I survived, this lad will too'. Casey saw the way the Sergeant was looking at the boy, I don't think his conscience would let him take the chance that Shane might not survive with his soul/spirit intact, if there was anyting he could do about it and didn't. (NT) -- Marilyn, 19:34:52 09/30/07 Sun

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• (48-2) Singing was probably not the wisest move on Casey's part but his defiance is what helps him get through the ordeal. The British may cut his skin but they won't break his fighting spirit. (48-4) There are probably many songs that would soothe me, but one that comes to mind now for some reason is an old John Denver song called "Calypso". It's an uplifting song where the boat Calypso, really the ocean itself, sings to his spirit, and mine as well. (NT) -- Denise, 17:20:57 09/30/07 Sun

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• Chapt. 47 Q1) It does seem odd that the note-sender would want to meet, given the risky nature of what they were doing. It certainly heightened my suspicions that somebody was setting Pamela up. I really had no clue as to who could be sending the notes. 2) I think in my heart and soul I would be upset, yes. Pamela loves Casey and really doesn't care what it takes to see him, if only for a few minutes to assure herself he's alive. I think her head understands Casey's wishes and why Jamie agrees, but when it means no real contact with the man you love for an indefinite period of time, yeah, I'd be pretty upset too. 3) Hell no! I'd have beaten a path to the door so fast I'd be out of the drive before the dust settled. Well, I did think it was Robin until Cindy dispelled that notion last week :) (NT) -- Carla, 19:01:49 09/30/07 Sun

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• 47.1) I got really nervous about the request for a meeting but I honestly wasn’t thinking clearly enough to question whether it was suspicious or not. The whole thing about Pamela receiving notes and working for the RUC had me on edge. I also never had a clue who might be sending the notes in the first place. (NT) -- Marilyn, 19:03:51 09/30/07 Sun

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• 47.2) I’m pretty sure I would feel the same though I could understand the reasoning behind why she shouldn’t visit. That’s all she had of him though and I think just to see him whole, touch him..even if it’s only a slight touch or through glass, to hear his voice, would help her to keep her strength and sanity. Pamela really is from a different world and may shrug off anything they do to her just for those few moments of reassurance. It has to be hard for anyone who hasn’t been subjected to what can happen behind prison doors to really understand. It’s in the next chapter that the ‘Geneva Conventions’ are mentioned and I thought, yea that’s all well and good but who monitors that here. If you are not used to the corruption that is Belfast you may think it’s international law..everyone has to follow it, but how do you really know for sure. (NT) -- Marilyn, 19:11:11 09/30/07 Sun

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• 47.3) I did think it was Robin. No, I’m stubborn, but I don’t think I would have objected to moving at this point. Once they determined that there were binoculars and that the intruder could see everything…I would have been outta there..especially were I in the same situation as Pamela. I am not that stubborn. (NT) -- Marilyn, 19:12:35 09/30/07 Sun

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• Chapt. 48 Q1) Having gone through such a soul-damaging coming of age themselves they want to spare others the same thing. Perhaps they find some sort of purpose or satisfaction in sparing others. Those spared must feel a great deal of guilt, hopefully enough that they won't risk such foolhardy acts again. 2) Not smart, but a way of showing his strength of spirit and will and of letting everybody else know (both enemies and his own men) that he's not broken. It also served as a focal point for himself to keep from breaking down during the flogging, sort of like women use breathing exercises and other distraction techniques to get through labour contractions. 3) I think the stones were a way of saying that Casey is still very much anchored to this world, he's not ready to die yet. No matter how old we are if we have (or had) a good relationship with out parents then we seek them in times of trouble for advice and comfort and I think that's what Casey's subconscious was -- Carla, 19:26:45 09/30/07 Sun
  • 48.2) I felt too that the singing was a way for him to focus his mind from the pain and from Pamela. He's a singer afterall and it's probably soothing to him as much as anything else. Now, the song he chose...well that was obviously not the best choice *g* but I thought that was probably intentional on his part as well. F*CK YOU...you may bodily hurt me, but you WILL NOT have my spirit or soul. I'm sure at this point he wasn't even thinking about the future..or maybe he was..if he were to die here today, he'll make sure they know they only got his body and he was defiant to the end. (NT) -- Marilyn (), 19:43:34 09/30/07 Sun
    • You do know that boyo very well Miss Mahri. :) (NT) -- celtgirl, 08:09:52 10/01/07 Mon

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• (48-3) Water is to Pamela as the earth is to Casey. The stones, the earth provide security for Casey, they are his comfort and at this time he needs to conjure up whatever may soothe him. His dad is another comforting presence in his dream, reassuring him he's not lost, his spirit will survive. The dream will help to sustain him through this nightmare. (NT) -- Denise, 19:29:33 09/30/07 Sun

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• Ok, to get my mind back on the book after the Albannach distraction........ I need to do some re reading to really get caught up, but i'll try it on the ones that are clear in my memory. Ch 47-2) I would not have understood at all, no way. If it had been my husband, I would have been quite upset too. 3) I really wasn't sure who it was that was watching. I was glad it was discovered though. Ch 48-1) I reallly don't know why this happens. I am a firm believer that who ever is the guilty one should take thier own punishement. (even the other character). 2) Well Casey was just being Casey I guess. Won't let them see him beat down by their opression. 3)remember the dream, but need to review it to answer this. 4) no, can';t say any one tune stand out in my mind. probably the Cherokee Morning tune I sing to my flowers as I plant them could qualify for this. (NT) -- bug, 07:46:59 10/01/07 Mon

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• Last question- 'The Fields of Athenry' is very soothing to me, though sad as heck. I find Irish folk music is sorta my comfort music. It's so familiar to me now that I sing it around the house constantly and I remember some of it from my childhood, my grandmother sang 'Black Velvet Band' around me alot and so it's a comfort song for me too. (NT) -- celtgirl, 08:11:45 10/01/07 Mon

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• 48.1- Though I realize this chapter has real echoes of Jamie in Ardsmuir, this chapter was a tribute to Leon Uris and Conor Larkin. Those of you who have read 'Trinity' know exactly which scene I'm talking about. It was done purposefully, as that book set me on the path to becoming a writer. (NT) -- celtgirl, 08:13:38 10/01/07 Mon
  • Cindy, I read the book and joined in the discussion,,,,,, but I don't remember that. Would you remind me? (NT) -- bug, 16:55:11 10/01/07 Mon

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• Lil, I will see what I can do about the cider. :()) And thank you for the compliment, it was an easy bit to write, fall is my favourite season and I revel in all my senses when it's here. (NT) -- celtgirl, 08:26:22 10/01/07 Mon
  • I love Autumn also! October has to be my favorite month...even in CA we get a bit of weather "change". I just love the soups, stews, ciders, apples, pies, etc that seem to smell so great. Gives that feeling of home. And you did a great job bringing it out in that chapter. (NT) -- Lil, 19:42:11 10/01/07 Mon

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• 48.2- Casey is maintaining his manhood here and making it clear he is not broken by what's been done to him. Is it wise? Maybe not, but it's necessary to him. (NT) -- celtgirl, 10:31:45 10/01/07 Mon

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• 47.2- Like Pamela, I'd be upset. This is very much a man/woman thing- they think it's makes perfect sense for her to stay away, she just wants to reassure herself that Casey is okay and they wonder why she always has to be so bloody stubborn. (NT) -- celtgirl, 13:26:17 10/01/07 Mon