Such idyllic scenes - both at the landlady's with the beautiful mural, and at Marie's maman's - both touched with a mirrored sadness. Lovely episode, Kate.
Lovely and also saddening chapter, Kate. We got to see more of Marie's past here, the story of her papa (so well told in so few words 💔) and, as Silvio notes, the up-front mention of how it ended up being her last time with her mamam. Skillfully done. Like others have noted, this felt like the space breathing after the tensions of previous weeks.
"Yes. I guess we need to stay close to sickness to appreciate health. We need to understand how sadness creates dangerous actions." -- so much so!!
Thanks a lot, Nathan! Interesting comments from you and others about the pace/mood shifts. With that in mind, I think it's something I could develop more as well.
I really loved this chapter, Kate. The last part about Marie's memories and her days home for Christmas with her maman is so beautiful. I like how you ease into it by mentioning upfront that it was going to be their last time together. Masterfully done. Bravissima!
Thank you kindly, Silvio. So tricky to bring just enough of a character's past puzzles to the reader. Marie is such a loner in Vienna, it was interesting to imagine her more quaint and warm home place.
I love how this: "Maybe he could have been saved, but the doctors pretended this wasn’t the case so we wouldn’t have more regrets or sadness than we already did" echoes this: "Nobody has ever really clarified what happened here. I mean we have documents and treaties and things like that, but nothing made sense." A world of official obfuscation: it emphasises all the confusion in Marie's mind. And great to see Bernhard cropping up again.
One last visit with Maman. Great character building chapter. Esp. liked this sentence: “I mean the constant pushing on my brain. Overstimulation. Culture, yes, but also a busy life. Difficulty finding space, mentally, for oneself. Living in tiny flats. Navigating one’s way through the labyrinth.”
Add the “online” factor to this constant overstimulation and where does it lead? Gen Alpha?
This was nice pull back from the external tension Marie has been experiencing in her loneliness, and good way to give us more understanding of her as character away from the world of work and Vienna, the stark contrast of her in her personal relationships versus the world of intrigue and politics that manifest in her daily living. A great expression of how her isolation in Vienna feels almost permanent as her personality does not, at this time, appear suited to the game playing world. I actually wonder how aware she is mirroring occurring between her father’s personal connections and her own. And how sad to know that as the reader that her connection to her family through Maman is going to severed leaving her to embrace the interminable feelings of solitude that await. Thanks as always DKW!
Marie's interactions and the rich atmosphere of Vienna truly bring the story to life. The depth of her reflections and her emotional connections with other characters are beautifully written, and they really hold your attention throughout.
I enjoyed this expansion into Marie’s family history. It’s well placed in the story as a sort of respite or in-breath, and deepens her as a character.
Thanks so much for the great comment, Julie.
Such idyllic scenes - both at the landlady's with the beautiful mural, and at Marie's maman's - both touched with a mirrored sadness. Lovely episode, Kate.
Thank you, Troy, lovely comment.
Lovely and also saddening chapter, Kate. We got to see more of Marie's past here, the story of her papa (so well told in so few words 💔) and, as Silvio notes, the up-front mention of how it ended up being her last time with her mamam. Skillfully done. Like others have noted, this felt like the space breathing after the tensions of previous weeks.
"Yes. I guess we need to stay close to sickness to appreciate health. We need to understand how sadness creates dangerous actions." -- so much so!!
Thanks a lot, Nathan! Interesting comments from you and others about the pace/mood shifts. With that in mind, I think it's something I could develop more as well.
I really loved this chapter, Kate. The last part about Marie's memories and her days home for Christmas with her maman is so beautiful. I like how you ease into it by mentioning upfront that it was going to be their last time together. Masterfully done. Bravissima!
Thank you kindly, Silvio. So tricky to bring just enough of a character's past puzzles to the reader. Marie is such a loner in Vienna, it was interesting to imagine her more quaint and warm home place.
Full of longing expressed through moments of time and loss and intimacy.
Thanks Mary 💙
I love how this: "Maybe he could have been saved, but the doctors pretended this wasn’t the case so we wouldn’t have more regrets or sadness than we already did" echoes this: "Nobody has ever really clarified what happened here. I mean we have documents and treaties and things like that, but nothing made sense." A world of official obfuscation: it emphasises all the confusion in Marie's mind. And great to see Bernhard cropping up again.
Thanks a lot, Jeffrey. Obfuscation is a great word to use to describe it.
One last visit with Maman. Great character building chapter. Esp. liked this sentence: “I mean the constant pushing on my brain. Overstimulation. Culture, yes, but also a busy life. Difficulty finding space, mentally, for oneself. Living in tiny flats. Navigating one’s way through the labyrinth.”
Add the “online” factor to this constant overstimulation and where does it lead? Gen Alpha?
Oh dear, our poor kids.
Thanks Alexander!
This was nice pull back from the external tension Marie has been experiencing in her loneliness, and good way to give us more understanding of her as character away from the world of work and Vienna, the stark contrast of her in her personal relationships versus the world of intrigue and politics that manifest in her daily living. A great expression of how her isolation in Vienna feels almost permanent as her personality does not, at this time, appear suited to the game playing world. I actually wonder how aware she is mirroring occurring between her father’s personal connections and her own. And how sad to know that as the reader that her connection to her family through Maman is going to severed leaving her to embrace the interminable feelings of solitude that await. Thanks as always DKW!
Thanks so much, Brian. That's just it - difficult to show who she is in the middle of this strange situation and isolation. Happy it was effective.
Marie's interactions and the rich atmosphere of Vienna truly bring the story to life. The depth of her reflections and her emotional connections with other characters are beautifully written, and they really hold your attention throughout.
Thank you, Jon. Those first district apartments are something else!