Fanny
The book sucked me right back in. I can’t believe I ever put it down. It’s midnight now and I need to know how this party is going to end.
During the last few chapters, we had quite a few revelations: In the present: Ashley’s pregnant (with Hud’s baby?), Brandon showed up and Nina took him back, the party is getting more and more out of hand, Kit doesn’t like kissing (boys?), and there is an extra sister. In the past: June was an alcoholic and died when she tried to turn her life around, Nina had to raise her siblings, Mick is a jerk who never came back.
Let’s start with the past:
June’s death was tragic but with her being an alcoholic I kind of saw it coming with what we know from the present storyline. I didn’t expect it so early, though. I don’t think she really wanted to turn her life around. She might have thought she wanted to, but the next tiny bump would probably have sent her down an even further spiral. Yes, her death was horrible for the kids, but on the other hand, it also kind of took a weight of their shoulders. Nina had to grow up way too fast after her mother’s death, but then again, she was never really a child. She always had to be afraid that the one person who was supposed to care for them would do something stupid. Like the time they took Kit to the supermarket with them. And it didn’t seem like June was such a big help contributing financially, eventually Nina would have ended up in the same place. From an early age (14?) Nina had to take care of her siblings and her mum and June’s death was one less responsibility for Nina. Same goes for Mick not returning. I don’t think, Mick would have made their lives much better, except maybe with his money. But then again, Nina found her way and does quite well for herself, even without a high school degree. I do wish, she could have gotten the opportunity to be the child for once, but I don’t think Mick would have given her this stability. Mick is a coward who cannot step up when it is needed/expected of him, so I was not surprised when he never showed up.
I think the topic of alcoholism is discussed quite well. It is only a minor topic in the book and, thus, does not need to make it a big deal. We know it’s there; we know it’s sad and it takes people away we love. So far, we’ve heard quite a few party stories but none of them talk about the Riva children getting drunk. I think, their mother’s death had a big impact on this. I wonder what’s going to happen in the early hours of the morning.
Now on to the present:
I honestly don’t think Mick will show up to the party. There was no indication that he ever would, and if he did, it would probably be an accident, like a friend bringing him without revealing details about the party. But in a way, the ghost of Mick’s past did show up as Casey. Was I surprised? No! There might be more Riva children around somewhere. I wonder if they ever find their way together. I somehow wish the story went on for a few more months because I think she might change the family dynamics quite a bit.
At the party we get to meet a lot more people. Some are introduced like one should know them, and maybe they even are stars/starlets from the 80s, I’m not old enough to know. But I felt like I attended the party myself. There are famous and infamous people around and you pick up on little bits and pieces of conversation as you slip in and out of the rooms. I did not mind that most characters aren’t introduced in full because they filled the story like they’d fill the house at the party. Most of the events in the present time did not seem very monumental to the story but they did feel like a build up to something big that’s going to happen. I’d like to insert a quote from the book which I really liked:
“[Bobby] was, in fact, the first person to comment out loud that things were getting a bit crazier than in years past. His exact word was “Whoa.””
So far, Jay was not very noticeable at the party. I’m glad his not-yet-girlfriend showed up, though. However, Hud and Ashley are laying the foundation for huge drama! I am pretty sure that Nina will take the news calmly and will try to work out a plan right away. Kit probably won’t care too much; she just does not want Jay and Hud to hate each other. So, it all comes down to Jay. Is he stoned enough by the time he finds out that he doesn’t care? Or will something happen with his girl before he finds out, so he doesn’t care about his ex-girlfriend anymore? Or will the news sober him up and make him go crazy? At the moment I really don’t know. He did not seem pleased at all, when Hud introduced the idea. However, Hud approached the situation too “maybe-ish”. He didn’t make a firm announcement that he likes Ashley, so Jay never even had to face how serious Hud is. I’m sure, it won’t be easy for Jay, no matter how he finds out. And even if he’s stoned, the realization will sink in later. But we will have to see, if he can come to terms with it or not. And the question remains, is it even Hud’s baby?
Brandon, oh Brandon. Why did you put Nina on the spot like that? She never even had a chance to consider it. Okay, that’s exactly what he wanted but I have a feeling that this is going to bite him in the but eventually. He is like Mick, just as week and easy to give in to temptation. I’m sure Nina will see it in time, and I have a feeling that she will not accept a simple apology, if life continues as is. Of course, with the fire we were promised and maybe also a death, everything might change. But I do think, Nina is not like June. She will be able to stand up for herself and demand to be treated right. She is not as dependent on Brandon as June was on Mick.
Lastly, I made an interesting observation about Kit. Let’s look at a quote:
“She was pretty sure she did not want to kiss any guy at all. Suddenly, Kit felt desperate to quiet the voice that she now realized had been calling to her for years.”
I think Kit likes girls and has not been able to admit it to her. This might also be why she doesn’t really like herself or her body and prefers to hide behind her clothes. Of course, this realization will make her life a lot harder, but I have a feeling that her siblings will be very accepting of her. They just never saw her like that and might be a bit surprised.
Now on to the last part. Unfortunately, I’ve already peaked at the first sentence and the Midnight chapter starts with Mick Riva. Will he show up at the party? I sure hope not.
