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After Alice Fell: A Novel | Kim Taylor Blakemore

Join in when you can. Anything else to discuss that wasn‘t in the questions?
#OverBookedClub

rubyslippersreads, catebutler, TheBookHippie, Birdsong28, Deblovestoread, Chrissyreadit, CoffeeNBooks, Butterfinger, sblbooks, Readswithcoffee

megnews I really loved this book. It‘s been a couple weeks since I finished and i still recall things in detail so I know it had an impact. 2y

sblbooks Thanks for hosting! It was a good pick for this time of year. 2y

Chrissyreadit I liked this book- it was dark and gothic and interesting at the same time. 2y

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After Alice Fell: A Novel | Kim Taylor Blakemore

This post contains spoilers

megnews I thought the dr and hospital were hiding something they were at fault for. So i was very satisfied with the twist especially because I didn‘t see it coming for awhile. I do worry for Toby the effect all this will have in his life. 2y

sblbooks @megnews yes, I definitely liked the twist and the end and the somewhat happy ending. 2y

Chrissyreadit I‘m not sure other than I worried about how she would be self sufficient and start over and hoped she was able to sell the house. 2y

Butterfinger I'm glad Kathy got her comeuppance. 2y

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After Alice Fell: A Novel | Kim Taylor Blakemore

This post contains spoilers

#overbookedclub Bonus question

megnews It definitely felt like a nod to the story. Yellow is jarring & taunting amid such darkness. Many of the scenes that mention wallpaper had a feeling of being closed in, as Gilman‘s character and Alice were. The yellow wallpaper together is like the forced fake cheeriness denying the circumstances in both stories. I can‘t wait to hear other‘s thoughts on this!! (edited) 2y

Chrissyreadit Honestly, I did not notice- but now how interesting that peeling under the wallpaper helper her escape! 2y

megnews @Chrissyreadit after the third mention of wallpaper and fifth or so of yellow I was like “wait a second!” Great point about the peeling too. How had I not realized it? 🤦🏻‍♀️ 2y

Butterfinger I forgot about the peeling - when Marion was locked up, right? I didn't know about the short story before I read Alice, but I did notice the number of times Marion alluded to the Kathy's need to change the house - I think she was OCD borderline schizophrenia. She had to have everything just so. 2y

megnews @Butterfinger yes. At first I thought it was because she wanted it to be her own and couldn‘t stand to think of it as his first wife‘s. But your comment makes me think when she probably feels out of control and can‘t control things the way she likes, she has to control her environment. Also if those walls could talk they‘d condemn her. I wouldn‘t doubt a lot of paranoia. 2y

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After Alice Fell: A Novel | Kim Taylor Blakemore

This post contains spoilers

megnews Absolutely agree. When we can‘t bear the guilt, the corrosion can be shutting down like Lionel. For others, low self esteem, depression, anxiety. I think guilt is a lack of forgiving ourselves. So I think we need to try to make things right the best we can and forgive ourselves. Move on. Easier said than done at times. 2y

sblbooks @megnews well said 2y

Chrissyreadit Yes!!! 2y

Butterfinger Yes - forgive ourselves. 2y

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After Alice Fell: A Novel | Kim Taylor Blakemore

This post contains spoilers

megnews Not an emotion but sociopath seems to fit Cathy. Marion, guilt and possibly anger. Lionel, apathy. Toby sometimes seemed older and sometimes younger. Maybe trauma of losing his mom or because of cathy‘s unstable treatment. Is he autistic possibly? 2y

sblbooks Cathy: no emotion definitely a sociopath. Lionel: narcissistic Marion: guilt Toby didn't seem artistic to me, more like traumatized. 2y

Chrissyreadit I think they were all struggling with trauma and Lionel and Cathy were both sociopathic. 2y

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After Alice Fell: A Novel | Kim Taylor Blakemore

This post contains spoilers

megnews This goes way beyond “happy wife, happy life” right? Once he‘s in, he‘s culpable too so I see him continuing to go along with it. But I can‘t understand why he did from the beginning. Looking forward to other‘s insights on this one. 2y

sblbooks @megnews I don't know how much inside I have. My one thought is he's narcissistic. 2y

Chrissyreadit I really think to ease his own guilt. He had to make her “right” so he would go along with it. 2y

Butterfinger Maybe for appearances again. He didn't want the affair and the blackmail publicized. It was all very strange. 2y

megnews @sblbooks @Chrissyreadit @Butterfinger I think he just had a weak character to be bullied into going along with it all. On another question someone mentioned sociopathic. I didn‘t get that so much as just weak. And yes @Butterfinger definitely the issue of appearance again. 2y

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After Alice Fell: A Novel | Kim Taylor Blakemore

This post contains spoilers

megnews Before I knew what was going on, I could not for the life of me understand why the brother and sister-in-law wanted to sweep it under the rug when the dr seemed shady. I worried not letting it go was going to impact Marion‘s safety. I think she‘s lucky it worked out. 2y

sblbooks Yes, I think she should have ask questions. I know I would have. I knew something was up with that sister-in-law from the start 2y

megnews @sblbooks I thought the sister-in-law was a very odd duck and once she was treating Toby poorly I didn‘t like her at all but I didn‘t think it was that sinister. I was so worried for Alice because everything had to go just perfectly with her plan or they‘d have locked her up and killed her too. 2y

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Chrissyreadit @megnews @sblbooks I think I just related it to the families I knew who liked to “hide” the members with special needs. This was so common in the group homes I worked in. One girl was a “secret” because her wealthy family was embarrassed. I worked with individuals left at Willowbrook and subjected to horrors because no one visited or checked on them- so this seemed like “leave well enough alone” 2y

sblbooks @Chrissyreadit just curious how long did you work at this place? 2y

Chrissyreadit I worked for A children‘s group home in Long Island for 2 years, then went to YAI for 2 years- both were residential. 1 year at YAI was with dual diagnosed, the second year was in a special program in Manhattan including Willowbrook Case Clients. This was in the 90‘s I was an “Assistant Psychologist” focusing on goals and skill development. 2y

Butterfinger @Chrissyreadit how heartbreaking. And what strength you have. Even if it was stemmed from guilt, you could infer the love Marion had for her sister. The memories. But nothing was mentioned that Alice's muteness came from seeing Marion kill their mother. That was another issue that could have been explored - mercy killing. 2y

megnews @Butterfinger I didn‘t think of it at the time, but you‘re right. It could have gone in depth a little more on that front. 2y

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After Alice Fell: A Novel | Kim Taylor Blakemore

This post contains spoilers

megnews The questions came from the book and this one is culturally biased. I think there are still groups of people who “take care of their own.” For those who don‘t, I think in some ways it‘s worse because of lack of connection and safety net. 2y

sblbooks @megnews I think it's a change for the worse. Just an example of a breakdown of family. I understand it's hard because we had to take care of my grandmother and great-aunt. It so sad when elderly are just dumped in a nursing home and I don't care for or even visited by loved ones for years I feel bad that my mom will probably have no one to take care of her because I can't do it. I told her we could be roommates in the nursing home together. 2y

Chrissyreadit I just discussed this with my mom- I have more of a tribal mindset vs individualism. If I won the lottery I would by a place with a compound of houses and just pay a couple cooks for communal eating and cleaners. 2y

Butterfinger My family is definitely a "take care of our own." 2y

megnews @Chrissyreadit your plan sounds grand! 2y

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After Alice Fell: A Novel | Kim Taylor Blakemore

This post contains spoilers

megnews Oh my goodness, yes!! My mom was all about appearances. We could all be arguing in the car on the way to Sunday dinner after church and when we walked into Gran & Pop‘s everyone better put a smile on their face. That‘s one small example. I think even more so now with social media. People can curate their lives, editing out the sad or mundane so we all look like perfect parents with perfect kids etc. It‘s large scale gaslighting with an awful price 2y

sblbooks @megnews yes, more than ever. I agree with everything you said. 2y

Chrissyreadit Absolutely agree with both of you! @megnews @sblbooks 2y

Butterfinger You are absolutely right. It is gaslighting. 2y

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After Alice Fell: A Novel | Kim Taylor Blakemore

This post contains spoilers

megnews Taking care of someone with a chronic illness can be tough depending on the circumstances. Because of this, I think everyone should be helpful. I suppose we deal with it differently now because for the most part, people aren‘t locked away in asylums until they die. But most families aren‘t doing much better filling that role considering the number of mentally ill that are homeless. (edited) 2y

sblbooks @megnews I agree with you. Ideally care wouldn't be left to just one person. Unfortunately, most the time that's what happens. We have more resources today then they used to have, but still not enough. 2y

Chrissyreadit @megnews @sblbooks unfortunately the last 30 years has decimated care with mental health and supports families need. I have had to deal with this first hand and even with all my resources it almost broke me. I think it is too much for one person to do sometimes. 2y

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sblbooks @Chrissyreadit One of my co-workers used to be office manager for a mental health facility. Unfortunately, they lost funding and had to shut the place down completely. She was in a rural community, and the patients had to travel to another County for help. This was more than 10 years ago, and it's only getting worse from what I hear. 2y

Chrissyreadit @sblbooks it‘s actually impossible to get someone into a residential facility now, and respite care is almost non existent! 2y

megnews @sblbooks @Chrissyreadit it‘s aggravating when you know our tax dollars go to some pretty ridiculous things and not the care that would improve quality of life for so many. 2y

Chrissyreadit @megnews @sblbooks yes- I really struggle that we actually do not show that we value people at all! (Unless they make a lot of money) I feel like support for special needs, mental health, illness and elderly should be excellent and automatic. 2y

Butterfinger I learned more from the conversation than from the book. I assumed it was better now. 2y

megnews @Butterfinger that‘s one reason I love buddy reads. Never know what you‘ll learn or how your perspective may be changed. 2y

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After Alice Fell: A Novel | Kim Taylor Blakemore

This post contains spoilers

megnews I think there are good reasons for guilt at times. You cheat on your spouse, etc, feel guilty. It‘s not using the emotion to lead you to making some necessary change instead of ruminating on it that is not healthy. 2y

sblbooks It was hard on Marion to be Alice's full-time caregiver, so I don't blame her for wanting a break and to do something for herself. She had no way to know what was going to happen. @megnews I agree with you guilt is a good thing when it causes you to repent of something you've done wrong. If you have no guilt you have a seared conscience and that's really bad. 2y

Chrissyreadit @megnews @sblbooks yes- guilt has a function to let us know if we have done something wrong, to let others know we have a conscious and to urge us to rectify a situation when we can. Unfortunately it is also weaponized at times- and I feel disproportionately towards women. 2y

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megnews @Chrissyreadit I agree 2y

megnews @sblbooks I agree. Even if one person is the primary caregiver they need breaks whether that‘s family or respite. 2y

Butterfinger I feel that there are some people who feel guilt a little too much. Especially mothers or caretakers. She already felt that she abandoned Alice, but when her brother throws it in her face, it is verified. And the only thing that can give relief is to find out what happened. I totally get that. 2y

megnews @Butterfinger yes, moms can be tough on ourselves. When I see a mom struggling with a child in public, I try to make a point of saying “oh I remember those days” so they‘re reassured it‘s normal and we all struggle. I would have wanted to know what happened too. I just worried how it would turn out for her. 2y

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kspenmoll

After Alice Fell: A Novel | Kim Taylor Blakemore

This book is beautifully written.I just could not finish it. The content was just too much for me to take in right now.Reflecting on why,I realized that working with HS students during a pandemic,post remote learning,has my heart wide open for my anxiety ridden, emotional students.Students have Covid,their families sick,face quarantine,even in CT where are rates are minuscule. It‘s a topsy turvy world where we live with the unexpected daily.🔽

kspenmoll 🔼My heart must be for my students friends,family.So I must escape into reading- anything easy, that asks little of my heart. (edited) 2y

megnews I can empathize. This one didn‘t impact me like that. But Hour of the Witch (just finished on audio sure did). I probably should have stopped listening. 2y

Crazeedi I can understand how you feel, I really dont want more heart ache books right now either, too much heart issues to add another one! 2y

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Chrissyreadit

After Alice Fell: A Novel | Kim Taylor Blakemore

pick

#overbookedclub October read- a perfect gothic choice. It was atmospheric and sad and with a narrator who did not give up but was also flawed and hurting. @TheAromaofBooks your birthday readathon was a perfect way to enjoy today.

megnews, sblbooks

TheAromaofBooks Yay!!! Thank you for reading with me!!! 2y

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After Alice Fell: A Novel | Kim Taylor Blakemore

#OverBookedClub

rubyslippersreads, catebutler, kspenmoll, TheBookHippie, Birdsong28, Deblovestoread, Chrissyreadit, CoffeeNBooks, Butterfinger, sblbooks, Readswithcoffee

Chrissyreadit I‘ve read it 👏 3y

TheBookHippie Required reading ⭐️ 3y

kspenmoll I have read it too. 3y

Butterfinger I'm on the search. 3y

sblbooks I have finished my assigned reading. I was able to find it on the OverDrive app. 3y

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After Alice Fell: A Novel | Kim Taylor Blakemore

pick

All the stars! LOVED it!

#OverBookedClub discussion Sat Oct 30.

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kspenmoll

After Alice Fell: A Novel | Kim Taylor Blakemore

Began this tonight. Haunting.Sad. #overbookedclub @megnews @sblbooks

megnews I have about 6 more chapters but can‘t hold my eyes open. Can‘t wait to finish in the morning. Yes haunting. Great writing. 3y

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Butterfinger

After Alice Fell: A Novel | Kim Taylor Blakemore

pick

A Gothic family tale appropriate for the season. Sometimes, I found it a bit slow. I like action to tell the story, but the buildup and ending was very satisfying. #OverbookedClub @megnews @sblbooks

Butterfinger #RoaringWolf family affair @Roary47 @Littlewolf1 3y

Roary47 Wooo hooo! Your reading game is on! 💛😊 3y

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After Alice Fell: A Novel | Kim Taylor Blakemore

Don‘t forget to grab your book for October‘s #OverBookedClub discussion Saturday October 30. All welcome!

rubyslippersreads, Crazeedi, catebutler, kspenmoll, TheBookHippie, Birdsong28, Deblovestoread, Chrissyreadit, CoffeeNBooks, shellleigh33, Butterfinger, sblbooks, Readswithcoffee, Littlewolf1, katy4peas

sblbooks I've got it on audiobook. I'm ready to go! 3y

catebutler Queued up and ready to read in October. 🍂 3y

Chrissyreadit I have it. 3y

kspenmoll Joining in this month! 3y

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After Alice Fell: A Novel | Kim Taylor Blakemore

Don‘t forget to grab #OverBookedClub‘s October selection. Let me know if you plan to read along in the comments below. All welcome!

Chrissyreadit I definitely want to read this and plan on trying to with group. 3y

TheBookHippie Ooo! I‘m in. 3y

sblbooks Yes😉 3y

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kspenmoll I am in 3y

catebutler Can‘t wait!! 3y

Roary47 Sorry I can only do one this month. 💛 3y

megnews @Roary47 no problem. Glad you can join for at least one. Always enjoy reading with you. 3y

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