Ginny,
What's the plot, dear Reader?
I personally felt, because it began with Sophie, it revolved around her and she had a reason for going on the dig to finish her book, that became the plot for me. Yes, there was alot going on with the characters, especially when you are having to sort through all the issues of their pasts, the mythological stuff, the religions/cults, the rebuilding of VDN, the relationships and then all the historical stuff, but, I kept trying to stay focused mostly on just the main characters who for me was: Sophie, Agnes, Ely, Elgin, Lyros and Maria. Yes, Phineas held my interest only because he is suppose to have the scrolls, and I like Johnny Dep. lol I think having my pen and pad next to me helped me stay focused on who I saw as the main characters, villians, hero,heroine, not so important ones, and red herrings, if any.
I did want to delve further and learn more about Pythagoras, Poseidon, Ovid's Metamorphoses and even Phineas and Iusta, since this was all new for me, and wanted to find clues as to what it had to do with the story, since Carol mentioned those were books she used when writing NV. I'm a babe in the woods when it comes to all the mythological stuff. I have never had the blessing to travel outside of the country, other than Canada, and since my grandparents were born in Sicily and immigrated to the United States, I have always wanted to go to Italy. So reading this book gave me some insight to areas I would never have gained had I not read this book. If I am ever blessed to go to Italy and see these areas they will have a little familiar feeling to me from what I have learned in this book and what all of you who have traveled were so willing to share with us.
For me, since Sophie getting her information to finish her book on Iusta was the plot, I kept my focus there. Oh believe me there were parts and posts that I found luring me in other directions. I didn't see a love story happening so I didn't focus on any particular couple. I liked Elgin from the start and thought he had lingering feelings for Sophie, but because I didn't see Sophie so much as a catch, I really didn't allow myself to care. I expected Sophie to finally get a chance to see Ely once more for closure. I sure didn't expect her to wrap herself up in his legs instantly the way she did. So that just frustrated me and confirmed my feelings about her being weak, wishy washy, and needed male attention. I was turned off with the entire initiations, frescoes, sexual activities, etc. I was interested in what part the scrolls would play if any, with the Catholic church, since I am Catholic. The Pythagorean theory, Sibyls and foretune telling was all smoke and mirrors to me, because I have never had any belief or interest in that sort of stuff trying to claim knowledge of the creation and Christ. I am secure in my own religion and belief and found all of this as just being a part of the story, but not the plot per se.
As far as trying to outline the plot....For me it was Sophie overidentifies with Iusta in her thesis, she wants information to finish her book, the shooting takes place, Elgin convinces Sophie to go to Italy, cult members are being revealed, Phineas ties the scrolls into the story, Sophie sees Ely, Iusta is NOT so innocent, Agnes murders Simon and the rest I won't go into. It does seem there were two stories being told, but the mythological one I din't find all that interesting.
I got a chance to finish the book and won't comment until everyone is ready. I will wait for Ginny and Andrea to open up that discussion part.
Ciao for now...................
