|
Post by Christmas Chief on Feb 3, 2012 15:36:58 GMT -5
Incredible. Things I particularly enjoyed: - The book scales, and Emma with Flowers in the Attic; - The utopian-esque city Ultima, whose very nature guarantees the Baudelaires will never reach it; - Esme's personality and eventual breakdown; - The returning characters, and tension between Nathan and Natalie; - Klaus' methods to discover the identity of "him," after which I will admit I became somewhat paranoid that every strange character was Felix in disguise; - I was taken aback to see Dante's posting of the thirteenth sign, which resembles one of the illustrations in TRR, and of which I have a variant, coincidentally displayed in my avatar: - The ending. Specifically the Great Unknown, but also the grace with which the story concluded.
|
|
|
Post by Hermes on Feb 7, 2012 10:42:36 GMT -5
Sorry not to have commented earlier, T - I have been very busy lately. Sherry Ann has said most of what I wanted to say - I, too, particularly liked the weighed books, and the way a lot of people came back in a manner reminiscent of TPP. And now I wonder if I am dead - along with my fellow 667ers. Excellent as ever!
|
|
|
Post by Tiago James Squalor on Feb 7, 2012 11:08:23 GMT -5
I hadn't seen Sherry Ann's comment until just now XD OMG anyways I'm glad you enjoyed it. Hermes: you will notice the 667er's got off of the Ethereal Express, so they are not dead. Thank you for the praise!
|
|
|
Post by Dante on Feb 7, 2012 13:06:09 GMT -5
- I was taken aback to see Dante's posting of the thirteenth sign, which resembles one of the illustrations in TRR, and of which I have a variant, coincidentally displayed in my avatar: More specifically, that's an ASoUE-ified version of the caduceus, a heraldic symbol of antiquity confused and conflated in modern times with the Rod of Asclepius, a symbol of medicine, which is why it's used in TRR (in association with Dr. Lucafont). It's linked to Ophiuchus through a serpentine connection, as Ophiuchus is the serpent-carrier.
|
|
|
Post by Christmas Chief on Feb 7, 2012 16:40:02 GMT -5
I knew it was a medical allusion in TRR, but that it also relates to the Ophiuchus symbol, and not through coincidence, is intriguing. I hadn't seen Sherry Ann's comment until just now Apologies. I finished reading before the 24 hours were up, and figured someone else would comment eventually. And he did!
|
|
|
Post by Hermes on Feb 7, 2012 17:27:26 GMT -5
IApologies. I finished reading before the 24 hours were up, and figured someone else would comment eventually. And he did! Ha! The caduceus is of course the symbol of Hermes. The rod of Asclepius, by contrast, properly has only one snake, though it's probably too late to stop the confusion now.
|
|
|
Post by Emma “Emmz” Squalor on Feb 8, 2012 11:42:37 GMT -5
*waves* Hi, guys. Hi, thread. ^^ I am SO SORRY for being gone for most of last week, and for missing the ending of this penultimate page-turner (clicker?). I have a ways to go before I reach the end, but I did read Chapters Seven and Eight, and wanted to comment now, rather than wait until I finish the story, and risk forgetting everything I'd intended to say. Like Dante I, too, was very taken with Esme's dress, and the idea of it being decorated with feathers of endangered birds. An outfit like that would have worked well in The Slippery Slope, too, as it would enable her to stalk the Baudelaires and Quagmires more stealthily in the snow-covered mountains. Augusten and Violet's kiss! Oh, that was a delight to read, and just in time for Valentine's Day, too. Its allusion to Violet and Quigley's moment of romance in TSS (I seem to be referencing that a lot in this review, don't I? LOL) was very nice. I also liked how sweet Augusten was about the whole thing, in apologizing for his abruptness while at the same time telling her how happy he could make her. *jealous* ;D I hadn't realized, until reading this passage, that Augusten had never seen the sugar bowl before. I liked as well what Violet said about the trouble small objects can cause. I really like that; the idea of Desmond's spirit remaining unbreakable, even if his body is in quite the opposite state. I see this trait turn up in your other characters as well, come to think of it. It's one of the things that makes them so fascinating and likable. By the way, I've been meaning to ask you: do you imagine Augusten Burton as Joseph Cross in the movie adaptation of Running with Scissors? I know he has dark hair, and I think you mentioned in TBB that your Auguesten has blond. I just thought I'd ask, since the question occurred to me recently, and it got me curious. I guess the only unfortunate part of Violet's kiss with Augusten was that her brother was there to witness it. He seems the type who'd be good at keeping such a secret, though, so that should help set her mind at ease. And Emma's offer to talk was very sweet. Geraldine is as annoying and persistent as ever, I see. Still, is that really any surprise? XD I had no idea that Esme wrote for The Daily Punctilio, but find it a nice touch. I remember you mentioning that, in your ficverse, Esme is a woman of many talents, so it isn't surprising that writing is one of them. And she's so kind to little Natalie, who it's clear can do with some of that, right now. I'm still itching to know why Nathan has ditched her for Felix, and so far have come up with a few different scenarios. Even so, their separation doesn't seem like such a bad thing, entirely, since Natalie, as you've said, seems less villainous. She even thanked Klaus when he gave her the drink! Ferdinand and Victoria have returned! Safely! Oh, that was the best part of this chapter! At first I thought the group surrounding Desmond's bed were villainous come to do him harm, like the Casanovas, Fernald, and Fiona, so I was relieved and pleasantly surprised when it was revealed to be yet more long-lost friends. Seeing that Lars has again learned to trust his heart to someone was also a very gratifying detail. Also, the gray streaks in his black hair make him sound even sexier. ^^ Again, I'm sorry for taking so long to read and comment. But rest assured that I'll be doing the same for the other chapters (along with The Ruthless Revelation) soon.
|
|
|
Post by Tiago James Squalor on Feb 8, 2012 19:07:33 GMT -5
It's alright Emmz! it's no big deal, really. Look at the bright side: you're so far behind you can read all chapters at whatever pace you might see fit! ^^ XD That's my attitude when I face myself with a webcomic or something that updates faster than I can read it like Homestuck. XD
Yeah, Esmé's blizzard dress could have been useful back in TSS couldn't it? hehe
Yeah, after ship-teasing Augusten and Violet back in TBB I felt it necessary to have them at least kiss and show that she would be pretty into him if it weren't for her long-lasting faith to Quigley.
Thank you! ^^
Actually, no. I imagine Augusten Burton quite differently from Joseph Cross even though he did an amazing job playing Augusten Burroughs in Running with Scissors.
Augusten Burton has longer blonde hair, with gray eyes, and pale skin, and he's quite lean and tall too. I'm going to draw a series of illustrations for YASoUE someday, so you will all get to see what the characters really look like.
You'll remember the article from the Punctilio, one of the teasers for The Fearsome Factory where it was said that Esmé wrote a column on the newspaper for the Punctilio before she 'disappeared'? That is a throwback to that article. Esmé wrote a column about economics, money, and high society. I suppose Esmé is kind to Natalie because they are cousins after all. I don't know if anybody noticed, but Nathan has been following Felix around, as Felix is teaching him the art of disguise. I guess Natalie is the lesser evil of the duo, so to speak.
Yeah, I've always wanted to bring Ferdinand and Victoria back in this installment. I sort of missed their dynamic, specially their relationship with Cindry, and their relationship with Desmond, which hasn't been elaborated upon much in on-screen.
Take your time, Emmz. I do hope you'll catch up with everyone else soon, as TRR is already halfway done! ^^ I do love reading your comments.
|
|
|
Post by Emma “Emmz” Squalor on Feb 13, 2012 15:07:23 GMT -5
Thank you, Tiago, and you're right. I had the very same thing happen to me with the canon, as I had three books to go by the time the series finished. So, I guess you can say I'm repeating the past. Hehe. As always, you're very welcome for the comments, and thank you so much for replying to them. I very much enjoyed reading all you had to say. ^^ Although I'm still quite behind, I was able to read Chapters Nine and Ten, so it won't be long before I finish The Tragic Train. Then it's on to The Ruthless Revelation! I loved the detail of Lars' photograph of Elizabeth, and how he holds firmly to the hope that a woman as strong as she can survive anything. Elizabeth's refusal to relinquish her authoritative powers despite her injuries is just the sort of thing one would expect from someone of such determination and stubbornness. Victoria's and Ferdinand's escape from the fire at Triple F really satisfied all that your readers have speculated upon for the last two years. You might even say that Fiona and Fernald are to YASoUE what the woman with hair and no beard and the man with a beard but no hair were to ASoUE. The only difference is that F. and F.'s characters and motivations are much more revealed. By the way, I felt this line not only to be particularly powerful, but an excellent way to finish off the chapter: It is greatly disconcerting to know that the Ethereal Express is set to explode. However, it doesn't take too many guesses as to whom is behind such a dastardly scheme. I was particularly moved by the scene where Violet and Lars were observing the snow. The way it conjured up memories for them both - in particularly Violet, since we're already familiar with what those memories are - was beautifully written. I've always been partial to fan-fiction whose author makes references to the canon, so this was very pleasing to read. When I read this, I thought for sure she was implying that Captain Widdershins was dead. Though spending your life shoveling coal against your will sounds just as awful. After all, such repetitiveness has a tendency to mess with your head. No wonder Felix came back a changed man. I can understand why he no longer acknowledges his family, but happy that he still considers Caternia his sister. Despite being a villainess, she's still a sweetheart, so it's darn well impossible for me to imagine anyone not liking her. I do feel sorry for poor Carlo, though, remembering how adoring he was of Esme. Still, I can see how she would often feel suffocated by him. More so than what I'd imagine Jerome made her feel - which is saying a lot! LOL.
|
|
|
Post by Emma “Emmz” Squalor on Mar 20, 2012 20:47:10 GMT -5
I didn't expect to finish this tonight, but Chapter Eleven leaves us at such a crucial moment, I just had to keep reading! I loved everything about the final three chapters, including: 1. Margot's chain-smoking, and Audrey having the guts to slap her like that! It reminded me of something Elizabeth would do (could she and Audrey be related? I wonder ). 2. The idea of Desmond having been a poor student, and the way it balances his mischievous side. I was a B and sometimes C student myself, with a higher interest in subjects beyond the classroom, so it's nice to read about a character who's similar. 3. The shocking intentions of Margot's brothers and how they weren't who - and what - they appeared to be, in the beginning. Was she aware of this? If so, she did an impressive job of concealing that knowledge. 4. Little Beatrice crying over Esme's spider dress! Oh! That did give me a chuckle! XD I loved the description of E's outfit, too. That, combined with her hair, created for me a vision of Helena Bonham Carter as Bellatrix Lestrange. 5. The connection between Esme's dress and the idea of the volunteers being like insects trapped in a spider's web. It was incredibly well-written, as well as a very creative and impressive idea at that. Well done, cousin! 6. The fact that Elizabeth is alive! Hooray! 7. ESME'S TEARS. It was, by far, my favorite part of this installment. It was unexpected, but no less adored. It's something we were never shown in the canon - I don't believe we even got a glimpse of it - and I guess that's one of the reasons why I liked it so much. While YASoUE has reached its exciting climax, it's never too late to enhance a character's development. Having Esme reveal tears was a fantastic way to do this, while simultaneously reminding us that, despite her ill intentions, she is human. What a powerful line this is, and further proof that Esme is not the stone-hearted villainess she always appears. Not only do you feel sorry for her, but you gain a deep understanding of why she is the way she is. Thank goodness the 667ers were able to flee the train prior to it crashing. And, even though I pity those who weren't able to escape, the scene was still an excellent allusion to the final chapters of The Penultimate Peril. I was pleased as well that our last glimpse of Esme wasn't one that leaves us wondering if she will survive. Although it's late, I want to say congratulations for completing Book the Twelfth of Yet Another Series of Unfortunate Events. I'll get to reading Book the Thirteenth soon, and know I will enjoy it. *** I've seen that image in Sherry Ann's post, but was never quite sure what it meant, aside from its relation to medicine. Thank you, Dante, for explaining its connection to ASoUE.
|
|