Hush, Hush: Chapter 7
Jun. 23rd, 2011 11:53 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
zelda_queenZeldaQueen: In which Patch is utterly terrifying
Projection Room Voices: Starting Media in 3...2...1...
Chapter 7
ZeldaQueen: It's Saturday evening, and Nora is hanging around the house with Dorothea. Incidentally, I think this is the last time old Dorothea ever actually shows up. She was just such a vital character, wasn't she? Anyway, Dorothea tells Nora that Nora's mother will be back Sunday evening and that Nora received a letter from the school. Nora tells us that it's probably from the school psychologist, who she skipped her last two sessions with. Apparently the sessions are to help her cope with the death of her father. Given how little both of those details play in on this plot, it's understandable that we'd need to be reminded of it.
For no reason at all, Dorothea starts talking about how she's now going to Portland to take classes on reinventing her sexy self. No really
"'I am going to a conference tomorrow,' she said. 'In Portland. Dr. Melissa Sanchez will speak. She says you think your way to a sexier you. Hormones arepowerful drugs. Unless we tell them what we want, they backfire. They work against us.' Dorothea turned, pointing the Ajax can at me for emphasis. 'Now I wake in the morning and take red lipstick to my mirror. 'I am sexy,' I write. 'Men want me. Sixty-five is the new twenty-five.''"
ZeldaQueen: And then she starts to tell Nora about how all girls need to be in touch with their sexy side and then starts talking about how her daughter claims her recently-gotten breast implants were bought for that very reason. Dorothea very much doubts this, as she goes on about how large boobs are a hassle and thus a girl would only get them for a guy. She warns Nora not to do anything stupid for a guy's attention and then tells about how she had the choice between a bad boy and "my Henry". She chose the latter and they've been happily married for forty-one years. I'm not sure what we're supposed to take from this, especially when you consider that Fitzpatrick has openly admitted that Patch is the "ultimate bad boy" and Nora happily chooses him by the end. Oh, and we get some random banter as Dorothea tries to set up Nora with her (Dorothea's) godson, who never enters the book at all and thus is pointless.
With the conversation over, Nora starts pondering whether or not she should take Elliot up on his offer to go to the amusement park. Wait...they were going at night? Why not during the day? It is, after all, the flipping weekend! I swear, all anyone in this book does is wander around at night, in unsafe conditions. And if it seems like I'm making unfair assumptions now, all I can tell you is to just wait until a few chapters down the road.
Anyway, Nora is now uncertain as to whether or not going to the amusement park is such a good idea. Her main arguments are that she hasn't known Elliot for very long and that the amusement park has a reputation for being wild on weekends, and thus her mother probably wouldn't like it if she knew Nora went.
First of all, might I remind the jury that Nora went to a freaking bar without any quibbling over how she hardly knew Patch and that it was an unsafe place? I mean, she didn't want to go, but she didn't worry this much.
Second of all, we're going to see later that Nora doesn't exactly hold that "I don't want to worry my mother, so I won't stray into dangerous places" sentiment very dear.
At this point, Vee calls. She asks if they're off to do anything that night. Whatever happened to planning outings ahead of time? (Yes, I realize that it's a personal peeve of mine and that I seem to be the last person on the planet who is uncomfortable with spontaneously up and running off somewhere at night) Nora seriously debates telling Vee about going to the amusement park, because she knows that once Vee hears it, she won't take no for an anwer. What a great friend there. After about two seconds, Vee screams because she spilled nail polish on the sofa. She tells Nora that they have to go out now, so that she won't be home when her parents see the damage. Apparently Vee can't go out on her own. Nora tells her about Elliot's offer and Vee says she'll be over in fifteen minutes.
Nora dolls herself up a bit and makes her excuses to Dorothea, just as Vee shows up. Vee has on a lot of make-up and instantly starts bitching Nora out for wearing none herself. She says "Boys like girls who look like ... girls" and I facepalm because lord, who said it was a date? Anyway, it's Nora's business if she wants to wear make-up! In my opinion, the amusement park is one of the worst places to wear a lot of make-up to, because you're outside, you're eating, you're flying around at high speeds on rides, and possibly going to get all hot and sweaty. And it gets even better, because Nora admits that she feels naked without make-up on, but she's not wearing any because she's remembering Patch telling her that she looks better without it. So nice that he's getting her to wear what he likes already. Oh, she insists that it's because she likes it as well, but even she admits that she's trying to rationalize it to herself. There's also subtle foreshadowing, as Nora tells us how it's most DEFINITELY CERTAINLY a night when she's NOT GOING TO RUN INTO PATCH AT ALL, so it's just a test run to see if she looks as good without make-up as Patch says. *rubs temples* I have a bad feeling about this.
They reach the amusement park, and we're told how "Delphic Seaport boomed all summer long with an amusement park, masquerades, fortune-tellingbooths, gypsy musicians, and a freak show. I could never be sure if the human deformities were real or an illusion". Considering how there are laws in most places in this day and age about having freak shows with actually deformed people, I'd probably go with the latter option.
Also, for some reason the women who gives them their tickets is wearing plastic vampire fangs. I suspect that this is for atmosphere, but it's not Halloween and there isn't a horror theme or anything elsewhere. The woman tells Nora and Vee to be sure to check out their newly renovated roller coaster, the Archangel. Hoooo boy. Vee instantly becomes enamored with it and insists that they must try it out. Nora makes a mental note to try to get Vee to forget about the idea, because she is actually terrified of heights. I'm seriously feeling sorry for Nora by now. From page one, every single person from her teacher to her best friend have done nothing but ignore her perfectly valid concerns and wishes and force her to do things she's very uncomfortable with.
Also also, the poster for the Archangel boasts a hundred-foot drop. According to our friend Mr. Wikipedia, that doesn't even make the top ten biggest drops for wooden roller coasters (yes, it's a wooden roller coaster, we'll hear more about it shortly). A hundred foot drop isn't really all that huge for a wooden roller coaster. I'm not saying that it's weird for Nora to be afraid of it, since I'm sure it would be high enough to freak out someone with a fear of heights, but the book presents it like it's a death-defying drop.
We gloss over Vee and Nora riding some rides and playing some games, and then they go to the arcade to find Elliot and Jules. Whenever I go to an amusement park with someone, I tend to meet them first and actually ride rides with them, but that could just be me.
Anyway, the girls head on into the arcade and playing a video game is none other than...Patch. Motherfucker.
Nora starts trying to subtly lead Vee away from Patch, because she knows that Vee will try to get Nora to strike up a conversation with Patch if she notices him. What a great friend. They find Elliot, who is very friendly, and Jules, who is unenthusiastic. Elliot buys them all Cokes, Vee makes eyes at Jules, and Jules excuses himself for the bathroom.
Nora suggests that they play air hockey, because the table for that is farthest away from Patch. Vee insists that they play Foosball, which of course is right next to the game machine Patch is playing. I think we all know where this is going.
*sigh* Vee notices Patch and loudly starts pointing him out to Nora. Nora frantically indicates for Vee to shut the fuck up, and Vee helpfully responds by telling Elliot that Patch is Nora's lab partner and very heavily implying that the two are involved or at least that Patch is infatuated with Nora. Vee, apparently under the impression that this is all doing Nora a favor, continues on to say that Nora thinks that Patch is stalking her and that the police are involved.
Elliot is concerned at this, and offers to go talk to Patch. Nora freaks out, because she genuinely feels like Patch will shank Elliot or something. Vee chimes in at this point, and implies that Patch will get violent if Elliot doesn't talk to him and then outright lies and says that Patch already beat up one guy that he caught Nora hanging around with.
Ignoring Nora's protests, Elliot starts to head over to talk to Patch. Nora insists that she'll do it, and I hate this book and how the world it's set in seems determined to warp circumstances to force Nora and Patch together. As she approaches Patch, we get the usual description of how he's dressed all in black and is tall, swarthy, and muscle-bound. She also assures us that she has absolutely no interest in seeing him naked. None at all. Totally.
We're told how Patch is playing some military game that involves explosions and loud screams. That's...pleasant. Patch asks about Elliot and then suggests that Nora play a game with pool with him. He tells her that if he wins, she has to tell Elliot that something came up and spend the rest of the night with him. When Nora asks what she gets if she wins, Patch outright says that there's a snowball's chance of that happening. She punches him in the arm for that, and then feels like kicking herself because apparently this all constitutes flirting. Yes, I often feel turned on by a guy that tries to force me to abandon my friends and evening plans, belittling me in the process. But no, apparently when Nora's close to Patch she realizes that she's in danger but feels tempted to see how far she can go. I'm sorry, this is just disturbing. And this isn't even the worst of it all.
Patch tells her that a pool table has just opened up, and asks her for just one game. She says that she has to get back to her group, and he says that if that's the trouble, he can take care of Elliot. Her first thought is that he'd fight with Elliot. When she continues to hesitate, he mentally dares her to take him up on his challenge. Upon hearing his voice in her head again, her palms start to sweat and she demands that he tell her how he's doing that. Like the smug dick he is, Patch denies doing anything and says that she sounds crazy. Nora, by now very freaked out, tells Patch "You scare me,
and I'm not sure you're good for me". He replies with "I could change your mind".
Gentle readers, I assure you that by the end of this sporking, that quote will fill you with as much dread as it does me.
Vee starts calling for Nora to come on back, and Patch tells Nora to meet him at the Archangel. She takes a step back and tells him point-blank that she won't. He slips behind her and whispers in her ear that he'll be waiting, before he leaves the arcade
ZeldaQueen: And yes, it does get worse. Tune in next sporking to see how, exactly, that is possible
Onward to: Chapter 8
Back to: Chapter 6
Return to to: Table of Contents
Projection Room Voices: Starting Media in 3...2...1...
Chapter 7
ZeldaQueen: It's Saturday evening, and Nora is hanging around the house with Dorothea. Incidentally, I think this is the last time old Dorothea ever actually shows up. She was just such a vital character, wasn't she? Anyway, Dorothea tells Nora that Nora's mother will be back Sunday evening and that Nora received a letter from the school. Nora tells us that it's probably from the school psychologist, who she skipped her last two sessions with. Apparently the sessions are to help her cope with the death of her father. Given how little both of those details play in on this plot, it's understandable that we'd need to be reminded of it.
For no reason at all, Dorothea starts talking about how she's now going to Portland to take classes on reinventing her sexy self. No really
"'I am going to a conference tomorrow,' she said. 'In Portland. Dr. Melissa Sanchez will speak. She says you think your way to a sexier you. Hormones arepowerful drugs. Unless we tell them what we want, they backfire. They work against us.' Dorothea turned, pointing the Ajax can at me for emphasis. 'Now I wake in the morning and take red lipstick to my mirror. 'I am sexy,' I write. 'Men want me. Sixty-five is the new twenty-five.''"
ZeldaQueen: And then she starts to tell Nora about how all girls need to be in touch with their sexy side and then starts talking about how her daughter claims her recently-gotten breast implants were bought for that very reason. Dorothea very much doubts this, as she goes on about how large boobs are a hassle and thus a girl would only get them for a guy. She warns Nora not to do anything stupid for a guy's attention and then tells about how she had the choice between a bad boy and "my Henry". She chose the latter and they've been happily married for forty-one years. I'm not sure what we're supposed to take from this, especially when you consider that Fitzpatrick has openly admitted that Patch is the "ultimate bad boy" and Nora happily chooses him by the end. Oh, and we get some random banter as Dorothea tries to set up Nora with her (Dorothea's) godson, who never enters the book at all and thus is pointless.
With the conversation over, Nora starts pondering whether or not she should take Elliot up on his offer to go to the amusement park. Wait...they were going at night? Why not during the day? It is, after all, the flipping weekend! I swear, all anyone in this book does is wander around at night, in unsafe conditions. And if it seems like I'm making unfair assumptions now, all I can tell you is to just wait until a few chapters down the road.
Anyway, Nora is now uncertain as to whether or not going to the amusement park is such a good idea. Her main arguments are that she hasn't known Elliot for very long and that the amusement park has a reputation for being wild on weekends, and thus her mother probably wouldn't like it if she knew Nora went.
First of all, might I remind the jury that Nora went to a freaking bar without any quibbling over how she hardly knew Patch and that it was an unsafe place? I mean, she didn't want to go, but she didn't worry this much.
Second of all, we're going to see later that Nora doesn't exactly hold that "I don't want to worry my mother, so I won't stray into dangerous places" sentiment very dear.
At this point, Vee calls. She asks if they're off to do anything that night. Whatever happened to planning outings ahead of time? (Yes, I realize that it's a personal peeve of mine and that I seem to be the last person on the planet who is uncomfortable with spontaneously up and running off somewhere at night) Nora seriously debates telling Vee about going to the amusement park, because she knows that once Vee hears it, she won't take no for an anwer. What a great friend there. After about two seconds, Vee screams because she spilled nail polish on the sofa. She tells Nora that they have to go out now, so that she won't be home when her parents see the damage. Apparently Vee can't go out on her own. Nora tells her about Elliot's offer and Vee says she'll be over in fifteen minutes.
Nora dolls herself up a bit and makes her excuses to Dorothea, just as Vee shows up. Vee has on a lot of make-up and instantly starts bitching Nora out for wearing none herself. She says "Boys like girls who look like ... girls" and I facepalm because lord, who said it was a date? Anyway, it's Nora's business if she wants to wear make-up! In my opinion, the amusement park is one of the worst places to wear a lot of make-up to, because you're outside, you're eating, you're flying around at high speeds on rides, and possibly going to get all hot and sweaty. And it gets even better, because Nora admits that she feels naked without make-up on, but she's not wearing any because she's remembering Patch telling her that she looks better without it. So nice that he's getting her to wear what he likes already. Oh, she insists that it's because she likes it as well, but even she admits that she's trying to rationalize it to herself. There's also subtle foreshadowing, as Nora tells us how it's most DEFINITELY CERTAINLY a night when she's NOT GOING TO RUN INTO PATCH AT ALL, so it's just a test run to see if she looks as good without make-up as Patch says. *rubs temples* I have a bad feeling about this.
They reach the amusement park, and we're told how "Delphic Seaport boomed all summer long with an amusement park, masquerades, fortune-tellingbooths, gypsy musicians, and a freak show. I could never be sure if the human deformities were real or an illusion". Considering how there are laws in most places in this day and age about having freak shows with actually deformed people, I'd probably go with the latter option.
Also, for some reason the women who gives them their tickets is wearing plastic vampire fangs. I suspect that this is for atmosphere, but it's not Halloween and there isn't a horror theme or anything elsewhere. The woman tells Nora and Vee to be sure to check out their newly renovated roller coaster, the Archangel. Hoooo boy. Vee instantly becomes enamored with it and insists that they must try it out. Nora makes a mental note to try to get Vee to forget about the idea, because she is actually terrified of heights. I'm seriously feeling sorry for Nora by now. From page one, every single person from her teacher to her best friend have done nothing but ignore her perfectly valid concerns and wishes and force her to do things she's very uncomfortable with.
Also also, the poster for the Archangel boasts a hundred-foot drop. According to our friend Mr. Wikipedia, that doesn't even make the top ten biggest drops for wooden roller coasters (yes, it's a wooden roller coaster, we'll hear more about it shortly). A hundred foot drop isn't really all that huge for a wooden roller coaster. I'm not saying that it's weird for Nora to be afraid of it, since I'm sure it would be high enough to freak out someone with a fear of heights, but the book presents it like it's a death-defying drop.
We gloss over Vee and Nora riding some rides and playing some games, and then they go to the arcade to find Elliot and Jules. Whenever I go to an amusement park with someone, I tend to meet them first and actually ride rides with them, but that could just be me.
Anyway, the girls head on into the arcade and playing a video game is none other than...Patch. Motherfucker.
Nora starts trying to subtly lead Vee away from Patch, because she knows that Vee will try to get Nora to strike up a conversation with Patch if she notices him. What a great friend. They find Elliot, who is very friendly, and Jules, who is unenthusiastic. Elliot buys them all Cokes, Vee makes eyes at Jules, and Jules excuses himself for the bathroom.
Nora suggests that they play air hockey, because the table for that is farthest away from Patch. Vee insists that they play Foosball, which of course is right next to the game machine Patch is playing. I think we all know where this is going.
*sigh* Vee notices Patch and loudly starts pointing him out to Nora. Nora frantically indicates for Vee to shut the fuck up, and Vee helpfully responds by telling Elliot that Patch is Nora's lab partner and very heavily implying that the two are involved or at least that Patch is infatuated with Nora. Vee, apparently under the impression that this is all doing Nora a favor, continues on to say that Nora thinks that Patch is stalking her and that the police are involved.
Elliot is concerned at this, and offers to go talk to Patch. Nora freaks out, because she genuinely feels like Patch will shank Elliot or something. Vee chimes in at this point, and implies that Patch will get violent if Elliot doesn't talk to him and then outright lies and says that Patch already beat up one guy that he caught Nora hanging around with.
Ignoring Nora's protests, Elliot starts to head over to talk to Patch. Nora insists that she'll do it, and I hate this book and how the world it's set in seems determined to warp circumstances to force Nora and Patch together. As she approaches Patch, we get the usual description of how he's dressed all in black and is tall, swarthy, and muscle-bound. She also assures us that she has absolutely no interest in seeing him naked. None at all. Totally.
We're told how Patch is playing some military game that involves explosions and loud screams. That's...pleasant. Patch asks about Elliot and then suggests that Nora play a game with pool with him. He tells her that if he wins, she has to tell Elliot that something came up and spend the rest of the night with him. When Nora asks what she gets if she wins, Patch outright says that there's a snowball's chance of that happening. She punches him in the arm for that, and then feels like kicking herself because apparently this all constitutes flirting. Yes, I often feel turned on by a guy that tries to force me to abandon my friends and evening plans, belittling me in the process. But no, apparently when Nora's close to Patch she realizes that she's in danger but feels tempted to see how far she can go. I'm sorry, this is just disturbing. And this isn't even the worst of it all.
Patch tells her that a pool table has just opened up, and asks her for just one game. She says that she has to get back to her group, and he says that if that's the trouble, he can take care of Elliot. Her first thought is that he'd fight with Elliot. When she continues to hesitate, he mentally dares her to take him up on his challenge. Upon hearing his voice in her head again, her palms start to sweat and she demands that he tell her how he's doing that. Like the smug dick he is, Patch denies doing anything and says that she sounds crazy. Nora, by now very freaked out, tells Patch "You scare me,
and I'm not sure you're good for me". He replies with "I could change your mind".
Gentle readers, I assure you that by the end of this sporking, that quote will fill you with as much dread as it does me.
Vee starts calling for Nora to come on back, and Patch tells Nora to meet him at the Archangel. She takes a step back and tells him point-blank that she won't. He slips behind her and whispers in her ear that he'll be waiting, before he leaves the arcade
ZeldaQueen: And yes, it does get worse. Tune in next sporking to see how, exactly, that is possible
Onward to: Chapter 8
Back to: Chapter 6
Return to to: Table of Contents
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
(no subject)
Date: 2011-06-24 06:16 pm (UTC)She also says (at 3:36) that what she thinks hooks readers on Hush, Hush "the blend of romance and suspense, as well as psychological games that Patch plays with Nora the whole way through." She doesn't even MENTION the stalking or the sexual harassment. Maybe she considers those "psychological games" as well.
I'm not sure where she sees the romantic suspense. Romantic suspense is a distinct sub-genre, but Hush, Hush doesn't qualify.
Oh, and according to her, readers of the series keep informing her that they couldn't tell, all the way through, if Patch is good or evil.
I swear, human beings are evolving BACKWARDS.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-06-24 08:44 pm (UTC)You know what, screw it. If authors can be so shameless about shit like this, I shouldn't be so reluctant to have a cast of characters that aren't White and Morman.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-06-24 08:46 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-06-24 09:59 pm (UTC)....
You know what, it was bad enough when Meyer basically said, "It's fantasy, I could do what I want," in terms of having numerous plot holes, factual errors, etc. But a writer saying that it's perfectly okay to portray sexual harassment as desirable because she's writing in the realm of fantasy?
NO. Just no.
(no subject)
Date: 2011-06-24 08:50 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-06-24 09:06 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-06-24 09:07 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2011-06-24 09:48 pm (UTC)Oh, yeah, because a guy who plays mind games with the girl he supposedly loves makes my heart flutter. *rolls eyes* I bet that that's what she was talking about. Maybe she thinks that stalking and sexual harassment are just "games" that guys play with girls.
Ms. Fitzpatrick, you do realize that "love interest" and "psychological games" aren't often found in the same sentence? Psychological games tend to be reserved for *villains.* I suppose that "Silence of the Lambs" must be a great blend of romance and suspense because of all the psychological games that Hannibal Lecter plays with Clarice.
/Oh, and according to her, readers of the series keep informing her that they couldn't tell, all the way through, if Patch is good or evil./
*stares at screen and then head-desks*
Dear...Lord...
(no subject)
Date: 2011-06-24 10:23 pm (UTC)