Comments on: His Father’s Son — Chapter 8

By: Clark

Clark — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 22:42:56 +0000

@#13–Mark B. would be able to answer better than I, but my understanding is that everyone expected WWI to be nothing more than a short skirmish, so maybe Kareen’s plan made sense.
However, the author has already alluded to the huge slaughter and rise in plastic surgeries, and was written 15 years after the Armistice was signed, so it must be a non-sequiter. This story already has so many, though, that this one hardly raises an eyebrow.

By: Dan S

Dan S — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 22:23:52 +0000

In many parts of the world, especially in the early 20th century what we now generally call Kerosene was called paraffin, no idea why. And why Paraffin(kerosene) poisoning would be a concern for an adult is still not clear. Most current reports of this type of poisoning are reported in children of third world countries, who ingest Kerosene (or paraffin).

And why would Kareen be planning a tour of Europe when WWI is going on is beyond me.

By: Mark B.

Mark B. — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 13:57:37 +0000

Oh, one other thing. Every Russian I’ve ever met was also named Peter Smith.

By: SilverRain

SilverRain — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 13:39:44 +0000

Paraffin poisoning is when you eat paraffin and it obstructs your digestion. I don’t think it’s an actual poison.

Is it too much to hope that Kareen stops trying to live through her son and realizes that SHE is the one who should take and use the Stradivari. Then she tours, becomes famous, and everyone is happy.

By: kevinf

kevinf — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 22:55:35 +0000

Mark, I read your comment like this:

The soaring capers, the long tender stalks mixed with gorgonzola, the piquant prosciutto dancing on a tranquil sea of linguine, double baked.

I was starting to get hungry there, until I thought “Rhubarb Pasta?”

PDQ Bach. Snort!

By: Mark B.

Mark B. — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 21:40:20 +0000

I just checked my own music stand to see if it contained “The Romance of Burbank’s Crimson Winter Rhubarb”–but, alas, it must have been lost the last time we moved. But what an extraordinary piece of music! The soaring crescendos, the long tender passages marked con sordino, the piquant pizzicato dancing on a tranquil sea of legato double stops.

Though written in his early childhood, it was one of PDQ Bach’s most beloved works.

By: kevinf

kevinf — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 21:37:20 +0000

Carol,

I really like your ending. Still trying to figure out what paraffin poisoning is, though.

By: Clark

Clark — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 20:56:05 +0000

Grant– rhubarb market collapse? I think I could supply most of the Wasatch Front with the few plants I have in my backyard.

So do we assume that Kareen now knows the old man is her father?

Looking forward to the final installment!

By: Ardis E. Parshall

Ardis E. Parshall — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 19:41:19 +0000

E’s imagination may have been exhausted by Ivy Stone’s inventions, but Carol’s is just getting warmed up.

By: Carol

Carol — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 19:23:25 +0000

I know I know! Both grandpas will take III on a fathers and sons outing for 10 days, play violins and harmonicas by the campfire, sing Ham and Eggs in Russian, then they all live happily ever after together on the farm while Kareen tours Europe entertaining military plastic surgeons on the battlefield. There she will see a nun holding a white blanket with red roses and find out that Esther is her twin.

Did I read too much into today’s stories?