Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Waterfall Wednesdays (Week 1)

What are Waterfall Wednesdays you ask?  Each Wednesday for the month of September we will be reading, discussing, chatting, and gawking over the Hotties from Waterfall the amazing first novel in the River of Time series by Lisa Bergren.  Come join in the fun. 
Here is the schedule of events:
August 31- Chapters 1-6 Hosted by Tina at Tinasbookreviews
Sept 7- Chapters 7-11 Hosted by Missie at The Unread Reader
Sept 14- Chapters 12-17 Hosted by Joy&Serena at Edgy Inspirational Romance
Sept 21- Chapters 18-23 Hosted by Jenny at Supernatural Snark
Sept 28- Chapters 24-28 and Wrap Up Hosted by Nic at Irresistible Reads

Need more incentive?  The amazingly talented and wonderful Lisa Bergren has offered a trilogy set of her series to one winner each week (signed if the winner is from the U.S.) and an overall chance to win a set of earrings from Venice.  How freaking amazing is that?  I told you she was wonderful.   


So on to this week's discussion...

Discussion Questions for Chapters 1-6

1. Waterfall opens with the introduction of Gabi, shes depressed, a little angry and is dealing with feelings of loneliness. Are you connecting with her this soon in the novel? Do you see things you like or dislike?
I didn't connect with Gabi in the first couple of chapters.  I thought she was a little whiny and defiant.  She has these amazingly good looking and strong men trying to protect her and yet she tries to do things her own way.  I feel like she is an extremely strong character despite her flaws.  She protects herself and others even when things get dangerous.  I also like how devoted she is to her sister.  It shows that she is caring and kind underneath her bravado.  
 
2. Gabi gets to time travel back to 14th Century Italy- The Dark Ages in its prime. Is there anytime in history that fascinates you and would you travel back if you could?
I would love to travel back to Tudor England.  At this time the court was so scandalous and deceitful that I think it would be like living in a soap opera.  My life would never be boring and I would get to wear gorgeous dresses and crazy expensive jewelry. 

3. Most of the men, including Marcello have a very set opinion about a woman's place. Gabi gets manhandled a bit in these first few chapters, and even gets asked if shes a witch. The men are shocked when Gabi rides a horse like a man and shimmies down the castle walls. What do you think of mens mentality back then? Gentlemanly, chauvinistic, simple-minded?
I think men of this time knew how to treat a lady properly.  They cherished women and while I do believe they were chauvinistic I think it was more out of their need to protect a woman than it was to be condescending.  I think it's amazing when men open doors, hold umbrellas and treat a women with respect.  That aspects often get lost in current times because women often feel the need to be independent.  It's a hard line to walk for women and men.  Women want men to treat them right, but mostly they want to be respected and treated as equals (along with a healthy dose of pampering once in a while).

4. When Gabi becomes a part of this era, the people are immediately intrigued but suspicious of her. Many judge her by her difference. Do you think this is fair? Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like an outsider or that others were misjudging you?
While I don't think it is fair to judge others on their differences, I also think you have to be smart about who you are dealing with.  The Forelli's opened their home to Gabi, who was a complete stranger.  I would never allow a stranger to come and live with me and if I did I would be cautious much like the Forelli's were.  I also understand this situation must have been scary and confusing for Gabi as well.  She is just trying to find her way home and people are constantly critiquing her clothes, expressions and motives.  This must have been very difficult for her and the judgment probably didn't ease her transition at all.   
 
When I went to college I didn't know anyone at the college, much less anyone in the city.  I felt that everyone else had friends already and I was the only person who didn't know a single person.  I felt very alone and lost until I met some other people who soon became the most amazing friends in the world.  I definitely had a couple of rough days but they were worth it in the end. 

5. What do think the coolest thing would be about living in the Dark Ages? What would be the worst?
I think the coolest thing would be incredibly sexy men, with very big ....um swords...protecting me.  I am a very independent person but nothing is hotter than a man defending my honor and willing to fight for me.  SWOON! 

I think the worst thing would have to be no indoor plumbing.  Yuck!

20 comments:

  1. Tudor England! Great answer. Heh, it really was like a soap opera.

    Totally agree about your thoughts on the judgement passed on Gabi. Oh, and indoor plumbing!

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  2. Ok sign me up for all that expensive jewelry!!

    Great answers this week, I totally agree that men were more protective and it came from a place on how they were raised not something to degrade women.

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  3. Loved your answer to the last question. Sounds like me! I'm a bit independent, but a hot guy who will defend me? Oh yeah!!! ;-)

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  4. Hahahhaha! Big swords. Love it. And Tudor England would certainly never be boring with all the sex and the beheading and the scandals. It would be like living in a soap opera:)

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  5. [Woman's desires]..."along with a healthy dose of pampering once in a while" - oh yeah! I'm with you on this - 100%!

    My daughter felt like you described when she arrived at college, too. Its a tough situation to be tossed into. She also eventually made a bunch of great friends, but it was tough for quite a while. She was from the West Coast and her college was in the Mid-West, poor girl had never been to church a day in her life. Boy did she ever stick out like a sore thumb.

    The answer to your last question made me laugh. Also, you brought up some great points about Marcello needing to proceed with Gabi cautiously because after all she WAS a stranger in his house.

    I think if she was a man, they never would have trusted her or helped her out!

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  6. The plumbing issue seems on be on a lot of our minds! And I didn't even think of Tudor England!

    ♥ Melissa @ Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf

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  7. Good point about having the beautiful strong knights to do her 'dirty work' and still being stubborn -- I think some of that is her determination to not lose herself, to not be "sucked into the vortex" of the culture & time she's found herself in. She is 17, after all, haha ;o)

    I'm thinking I'd be more than happy to let a gorgeous man help me out in a time of such extreme strangeness and trouble...but then, that's me, at the ripe old age of 26 :o)

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  8. Tudor Englad...lifestyles of the Rich and famous ;). I agree it is fine line for both men and women between independence & romance. I had to tell a bunch of 12 year old girls what chivalaric was. Thanks to the dad that helped me carry their box of uniforms.

    Thanks for stopping by.

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  9. LOL LOVE your answer. The men must have been so hot. Oh and their clothes. YUM!

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  10. *snorts* Yeah.. big swords sure came in handy, huh!

    Tudor England. That would have been cool, but knowing my luck, I would have been a chamber maid, which means no fancy gowns for me. :(

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  11. I love a guy with a big sword! My luck though I would BE the chamber maid...not only would I have to use the chamber pot...I would have to clean everybody else's!! Boo! I think I'll pass :)

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  12. I'll come with you to Tudor England but only for a short while (until we need to go to the bathroom probably) but yes I only want to go back if I'm a wealthy lady wearing a nice dress I don't fancy being a chamber maid!

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  13. Seems like everyone would have a hard time with the indoor plumbing aspect...lol I agree that it is nicer now that women can pretty much try to do whatever we want, but I do believe they respected women a lot more back then. Probably respected people in general alot more back then. We have lost a lot of that and the importance of people now a days. Its hard growing up and living in a "whats in it for me world" But my hubby of almost three years still opens doors for me :) and we have been together for 8 years :)

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  14. I don't think I could stand living in Tudor England, so you can have that one all to yourself! I live in a small town in Iowa, so there's enough gossip and backstabbing in my world without adding the threat of beheading, LOL! (If you're looking for a fresh look at Anne Boleyn, you should check out Sandra Byrd's new novel, To Die For.)

    I just love this read-along, getting to hang with all these cool new book buds!

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  15. Tudor England is a great choice. I think that all the icky diseases of that era (as well as the era in which Waterfall is set) would be a detraction. The indoor plumbing thing would really suck as well.

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  16. Hmm, Tudor England sounds nice...expensive jewels, gorgeous gowns, and scandal? I'd be down for a day trip there ;)

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  17. I think I'll leave Tudor England to you! I couldn't keep up with who to stay away from and who to throw my loyalties to. Except not to catch the King's eye! I'd rather watch that soap opera. But the dresses and the jewels, those would be fabulous!

    Can't wait to see your answers next week!
    Heather

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  18. Fabbo answers, Lisa. Here's my perception: The stronger the woman, the stronger she needs her man to be. Iron sharpens iron...

    See you next week! And thanks so much for taking part in WW!

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  19. I might be the only person who didn't think Gabi was whiny :)

    expensive jewelry, count me in!

    "incredibly sexy men, with very big ....um swords...protecting me." I'd like this as well :)

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I love love love hearing your wonderful thoughts! Thanks for stopping by and happy reading.