I love a well written party scene. The dance between guest and hostess, the tour, the impressions of the guest. Smart technique to have the dialogue take place in the kitchen so we the readers can focus on the speakers.
Juxtaposition between the beautiful painted trompe l'oeils, with the hint of malice. Multiple layers!
Thank you, David. It's true that in reality, those are the best conversations, aren't they? It gives some perspective. Also too many characters might muddle the space. Conversely, that could create an intriguing dynamic, perhaps of feeling overwhelmed. Hmm, for contrast, it might be interesting to use a snippet. Just thinking as I type. :)
Hey Kate, I’m really into Marie’s quality of unease, her sense of threat, her antennae so tuned to things that are kind of off (I love the light being turned on…).
So, the other thing that I really felt in this chapter was the interior. I mean partly because of the work you put in to describe Julie’s work, but I think more because I was Marie moving through it. Everything turns on her, it’s all through her eyes…her, as I said, antennae.
And now there’s Josef in her life. Now…his exit: shit, Kate, that’s cool. And, again, it’s all Marie!
Awesome comment, Nicolas. Thanks a lot. I've done a lot of research on interior space / identity...have been trying to work it into my fiction. It means a lot that it is working for you!
So…I did as I said I was going to…I set digital aside, turned to yesterday’s FT. And what was the first thing I read in the House & Home section but this fascinating piece by Edwin Heathcote (always worth a look: cool insights written very well) on the power of the interior in films to add another layer of our understanding of the identity of characters. It completely crosses over into reading and writing for me (and for everyone else too, I’m sure).
‘He’s from the mountains,’ Julie explained, ‘That’s why he’s so nice!’
I laughed. He's probably from Voralberg.
I liked the transition from exterior to interior and the significance of safe space, being put into question even inside your own home. Lights on, Lights off. Yeah, something's going on...
"Your French perfume encircled me like a lasso to pull me into the soirée." I loved this! This world feels familiar and alien at the same time. You've created a world of radical unease!
I can’t get over the fact that this is taking place in Vienna. Love it! Great chapter, the inner dialogue of the main character, the interactions between characters, so well done. 👏
“My rational mind told me these had been natural accidents, but something made me uneasy.” The hint not to trust the rational mind here colors this so effectively as foreboding and disconcerting - feelings shared by our interpreter!
"Your French perfume encircled me like a lasso to pull me into the soirée." -- great line.
"I saw a light flick on and off in one of them. At the time, I supposed it was a bathroom being used by a guest, but later when I asked for the bathroom, you led me somewhere else." -- well this is deliciously ominous!
There's wonderful dialogue throughout this, Kate. So natural. This line was just one of many I found myself smiling at: "Lovely, your language has such a romantic quality, don’t you think? I prefer not to understand and simply to be tempted by it"
Another stunning line: "He seemed to bow and left as if pulling a cape around his face and disappearing, but of course, it wasn’t really like that."
Thanks for sharing all those parts, Nathan! I’m so happy you mentioned the dialogue because I’ve tried to improve that in this project.
Several of you mention or shared Josef’s exit, which makes also quite happy as his elusive nature has been so fun to develop. Not sure where it came from! 💙
I'm so intrigued by the dark spirit in the hallway, certainly it must come back to haunt us. ;) Love the image of the Hungarian flipping his not-cape as he left, too. And the alpine man (we've talked about this, he's wearing lederhosen - please don't burst my bubble... ;)
Love the story, Kathleen. Eager to keep reading what's coming. I particularly liked this: "I do it on the condition that they leave me entirely alone until it’s done. Of course, it takes days, so in between, they are not allowed in the room to give me feedback. I tell them that when it’s done, they can ask me to redo it if they are unhappy, but it’s never happened. All the time, I’m listening to opera music and just losing track of time." It just flows beautifully and conjures an intriguing imagery.
PS: just had another thought while I was restacking this…there’s something going on here with Marie’s foggy difficulty in interpreting what is happening to her, who these guys are, what’s they’re all into, who is good and who is evil, where is safe, where is dangerous, that is so different from what it feels like to translate complex thoughts and facts verbally instantly and clearly from one language to another. Cool, Kate, cool.
I love a well written party scene. The dance between guest and hostess, the tour, the impressions of the guest. Smart technique to have the dialogue take place in the kitchen so we the readers can focus on the speakers.
Juxtaposition between the beautiful painted trompe l'oeils, with the hint of malice. Multiple layers!
Thank you, David. It's true that in reality, those are the best conversations, aren't they? It gives some perspective. Also too many characters might muddle the space. Conversely, that could create an intriguing dynamic, perhaps of feeling overwhelmed. Hmm, for contrast, it might be interesting to use a snippet. Just thinking as I type. :)
Thanks also for the comment about the paintings!
Hey Kate, I’m really into Marie’s quality of unease, her sense of threat, her antennae so tuned to things that are kind of off (I love the light being turned on…).
So, the other thing that I really felt in this chapter was the interior. I mean partly because of the work you put in to describe Julie’s work, but I think more because I was Marie moving through it. Everything turns on her, it’s all through her eyes…her, as I said, antennae.
And now there’s Josef in her life. Now…his exit: shit, Kate, that’s cool. And, again, it’s all Marie!
Awesome comment, Nicolas. Thanks a lot. I've done a lot of research on interior space / identity...have been trying to work it into my fiction. It means a lot that it is working for you!
Thanks so much.
So…I did as I said I was going to…I set digital aside, turned to yesterday’s FT. And what was the first thing I read in the House & Home section but this fascinating piece by Edwin Heathcote (always worth a look: cool insights written very well) on the power of the interior in films to add another layer of our understanding of the identity of characters. It completely crosses over into reading and writing for me (and for everyone else too, I’m sure).
Oh I love the FT Weekend. 😍
I’ll check that out!
‘He’s from the mountains,’ Julie explained, ‘That’s why he’s so nice!’
I laughed. He's probably from Voralberg.
I liked the transition from exterior to interior and the significance of safe space, being put into question even inside your own home. Lights on, Lights off. Yeah, something's going on...
Great stuff, Kate.
I'm happy that part tickled you! :)
Ah yes, I finally spent time in St. Anton this past winter and aim to go again next year, both for the skiing and the lovely people!
Thank you for the great feedback, Alexander.
St. Anton! I know it but haven't been there. We usually went to Saalbach-Hinterglemm. Been more than 20 years now though... I need to go back!
Yes! Go back :)
"Your French perfume encircled me like a lasso to pull me into the soirée." I loved this! This world feels familiar and alien at the same time. You've created a world of radical unease!
"Radical unease"...excellent description. Thanks so much, Jeffrey. :)
I am intrigued by fiction that consists of long dialogues unbroken by the narrator. I always find that it works well. It’s as a result a vivid scene!
Thanks Angel! Appreciate the comment.
I can’t get over the fact that this is taking place in Vienna. Love it! Great chapter, the inner dialogue of the main character, the interactions between characters, so well done. 👏
Aw thanks a lot Claudia! So happy to hear it.
“My rational mind told me these had been natural accidents, but something made me uneasy.” The hint not to trust the rational mind here colors this so effectively as foreboding and disconcerting - feelings shared by our interpreter!
Thanks so much, Stephanie!
"Your French perfume encircled me like a lasso to pull me into the soirée." -- great line.
"I saw a light flick on and off in one of them. At the time, I supposed it was a bathroom being used by a guest, but later when I asked for the bathroom, you led me somewhere else." -- well this is deliciously ominous!
There's wonderful dialogue throughout this, Kate. So natural. This line was just one of many I found myself smiling at: "Lovely, your language has such a romantic quality, don’t you think? I prefer not to understand and simply to be tempted by it"
Another stunning line: "He seemed to bow and left as if pulling a cape around his face and disappearing, but of course, it wasn’t really like that."
Fantastic, Kate. Laced with a sense of mystery.
Thanks for sharing all those parts, Nathan! I’m so happy you mentioned the dialogue because I’ve tried to improve that in this project.
Several of you mention or shared Josef’s exit, which makes also quite happy as his elusive nature has been so fun to develop. Not sure where it came from! 💙
It's superb dialogue 😁
Ah I so love it when multiple people latch onto a specific phrase or line. Magical.
I'm so intrigued by the dark spirit in the hallway, certainly it must come back to haunt us. ;) Love the image of the Hungarian flipping his not-cape as he left, too. And the alpine man (we've talked about this, he's wearing lederhosen - please don't burst my bubble... ;)
He definitely is!
Thanks Troy 💙
Love the story, Kathleen. Eager to keep reading what's coming. I particularly liked this: "I do it on the condition that they leave me entirely alone until it’s done. Of course, it takes days, so in between, they are not allowed in the room to give me feedback. I tell them that when it’s done, they can ask me to redo it if they are unhappy, but it’s never happened. All the time, I’m listening to opera music and just losing track of time." It just flows beautifully and conjures an intriguing imagery.
Thanks so much, Silvio. It’s funny, I was very unsure about that line! Trying to say a lot there.
PS: just had another thought while I was restacking this…there’s something going on here with Marie’s foggy difficulty in interpreting what is happening to her, who these guys are, what’s they’re all into, who is good and who is evil, where is safe, where is dangerous, that is so different from what it feels like to translate complex thoughts and facts verbally instantly and clearly from one language to another. Cool, Kate, cool.
Thanks again, Nicolas. Great feedback! Yeah, I'm trying to play with that kind of liminal space -- the in-between of languages and spaces.
I can smell and taste that Barolo! Your descriptions of the interiors are so vivid, I can not only see but feel them.
I could go for that right now. :)
Thanks Julie!
Oh wow, that sounds fascinating! She must have had loads of interesting stories from all those places.
Thank you, Nadia!