Welcome to the Waterfall Read-Along! For those of you who don't know, the wonderful ladies behind Tina's Book Reviews, Edgy Inspirational Romance, Irresistible Reads, The Unread Reader and myself are hosting a read-along of Lisa T. Bergren's time-travel young adult novel Waterfall (LOVED!). Each week we'll pose and answer five questions about the book and then hop around to the other blogs who have signed up to check out everyone's answers! You're welcome to join the fun at anytime by signing up over at Tina's Book Reviews and then linking your posts to the linky on the host blog each week.
Tina is the host this week, so be sure and pop over to her blog to link up your answers and then stop by Missie at The Unread Reader to get next week's questions.
CHAPTERS 1-6
Waterfall opens with the introduction of Gabi, she's 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 don't know that I necessarily liked or disliked Gabi right off the bat, it usually takes me several chapters to develop feelings of any sort for a character. When she found herself in the middle of a battlefield facing medieval knights in full war mode and managed to keep her wits about her, I decided I was a fan. One of my favorite aspects of Gabi is that she never lets herself become overly dramatic, she absorbs whatever situation she's found herself in and logically thinks of her next course of action. Sometimes she makes smart decisions, sometimes she doesn't, but she always seems to stay on the level which I appreciate.
Gabi gets to time travel back to 14th Century Italy- The Dark Ages in its prime. Is there any time in history that fascinates you and would you travel back if you could?
I just finished two books that focused on ancient Egypt and Rome in the time of Cleopatra and I have to say that time period has always been of interest to me. Seeing Egypt in all her glory before Rome took her over would be amazing, and I would absolutely travel back if I could with the caveat that I could return to modern times at a moment of my choosing. While the grandeur and the opulence of Cleopatra's Egypt would be captivating, I like my modern conveniences. Lack of plumbing would be highly problematic. This girl does not go in a chamber pot, or in the street, or wherever else. Indoor plumbing just makes me happy:)
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 she's 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 don't think they are simple-minded in any way, they've been raised to view women as the "fairer" sex, meant to excel at certain tasks and not at others, so I don't think their attitudes are chauvinistic given that their views are are not meant in a derogatory fashion–they are just stating what they view as simple fact. That being said, my hackles would definitely rise if I was denied the opportunity to do certain things because it was not my "place", but I think that's mostly because I've grown up believing women equal to men and capable of the same things they are. Oh, and sidesaddle? Absolutely not, I will ride with my legs astride the horse or not all. I'm not falling off just so my legs can stay together ;-)
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?
Sadly, I think people are always judged by their differences. It certainly still happens with alarming frequency today and I imagine it will be some time before suspicion and prejudice against something or someone that deviates from what people view as "normal" will subside. Luckily for me, I've never been in a situation where I've been viewed as an outsider or judged in any way.
What do think the coolest thing would be about living in the Dark Ages? What would be the worst?
Horses! I've grown up around horses and have been riding since I was little, so the thought of getting to ride a horse every single day for transportation sounds pretty appealing to me.
As for the worst part, please see above note about the lack of indoor plumbing. *shudders* Just thinking about it makes me want to run upstairs and give my toilet a big hug.
