From: Pat Lane <plane>
Date: Thu, 11 Jan 1996 18:49:55 -0600

_Protecting Marie_ reeled me in on the first read and demanded a second. But it also compelled me to hand my copy to a friend so I could have a discussion partner. Like Nina Lindsay I felt the power in Henkes' words and wondered how he made whole scenes, unwritten, flash through my mind. That happened on page 32 when Henry brought home the first puppy. I felt that long, entire episodes had occurred between Henry and Ellen. And with the words, "Who does she think she is Catherine Deneuve", something happened again. As a reader I wasn't allowed into Henry or Ellen's thoughts or past together, yet I "saw" disagreement, harsh lines, and then sunshine; something that made the tension dissolve and made the family-world right again.

I was also struck by Fanny's words in her discussion with Henry, "I always imagine the bowl and jars filled with wonderful things. Like chocolates, and pepermints, and bubble bath." and Henry's reply that he always thought of them as empty; he just looked at appearance. This, his concern about the stain on the antique, second hand coat, and his need to have a "Stupid Hunt" portray Henry as a self?ntered, shallow person concerned withoutward appearances. What do you think?

Diane Sherman, Reading Specialist Crivitz Schools Crivitz, WI 54114
Received on Thu 11 Jan 1996 06:49:55 PM CST