In the beginning, it’s noted that the copse does not exist in Brith’s time. What do you think caused its existence to shift over time?
The author shares the history of the land from Brith’s time until Liam’s. What do you think of how she does this? What do you think of how she makes big life-altering events so small?
The widow states that the family will stay with her. Why do you think she does this?
What do you think of Tomás saying they will look after it? Do you think he means the land or the copse specifically?
The dog Bran comes to live at the house without Tomás’s knowledge. Do you think it’s possible that Brith and her dog’s story is about to repeat itself?
In Part Two we experience Enda’s disappointment in never being able to become a teacher and Liam’s astonishment that he wishes to become a priest. What do you think of this contrast?
Bran, the dog, believes that his sole purpose is to keep the family together. We watch Eugene and his family grow older and learn more about Eugene, especially what everyone else thinks and expects of him. Do you think keeping the family together should be Bran’s role, or do you think it should belong to someone else like Eugene? How do you think he will deal with the failure?
5 responses to “Land Day Two”
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1. I think that over time as they took care of the land so did it in turn take care of them. Ig grew answer changed as they did.
2. I absolutely loved the way she seamlessly linked past and present timelines and gave us the backstory. It allow2d the reader to appreciate the history of the land even more. Her writing was absolutely incredible in changing the perceptions of the reader.
3. She feels protective of them. Like it’s her duty to help them along their journey. It gives her purpose.
4. He means that they will protect it. The history, heritage, etc of both the land and the copse.
5. Yes I believe history will definitely repeat itself un some form or the other.
6. It’s such a difference in knowing what you what you want definitively and not being able to attain it, and thinking you know what you want but unsure about it and being able to go for it anyway, the gender inequality was very apparent.
7. I don’t think it should be Brans role alone but I also don’t think that it is fair to put all that responsibility on Eugene.
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1. Perhaps just the natural movement of time. Rivers flowing, mountains crumbling….
2. The author has the ability to make these moments small by describing each and every moment and feeling with incredible detail. The story of Brith is so heartbreaking and yet it disappears once she is buried.
3. She feels connected to them perhaps. She loves the land as much as they do, and is also probably a bit lonely on her own.
4. I think he means they will look after whatever magical entity controls the copse and its powers over people.
5. It definitely felt like a bit of a reincarnation storyline. Or a generational curse.
6. Endas dreams are of an intellectual nature – not very common for country folk back then. Liam wanting to become a priest was also a bit controversial for someone without any formal schooling, and so the contrast is not that visible. In fact I would say they both had equally ambitious dreams – though one was of a more scientific nature, and the other based on faith.
7. I loved that Bran was the glue holding this fractured family together. I think in a way both Bran and Eugene were there to tie everything up, but the responsibility to keep them all together was too great for just one person. The failure of think will break him. -
1. I think the simplest explanation is that the landscape naturally changed over thousands of years, but because of the strange nature of the copse and its water, I wonder if there is something more supernatural going on.
2. The author might be doing that to show how, in the grand scheme of things, we are all only here for a short time, while the Earth has been here much, much longer and will be here long after we are gone.
3. She is kind, but she is also lonely.
4. I think he means both.
5. That is what I thought when Bran appeared. Poor Bran, I just hope he will be okay.
6. Enda’s frustration at this is very understandable.
7. I don’t think it should be anyone’s responsibility to do that. Eugene does not cope well with too much change, so it would not be good for him if everything changed.
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1. I think that nature took it’s natural course, because less people were there it meant that nature could come back and maybe that’s how the shift happened.
2. O’Ferrell has such an amazing way with how she tells this story. I felt like she made it anything but small. Even though it did not take a big chunk of the book to explain her story I think that how it was done was seamless. For just a few pages I was just as engrossed in her story and Liam and Tomás’s story.
3. Maybe she is lonely and their growing family their would help her with that.
4. I think he means both the land and the copse.
5. I absolutely love Bran. I do think that the story is about to repeat itself. Weirdly it’s on the same land as well…
6. I think that it is unfair that Enda could not get the same opportunities as Liam – especially when Liam is not even going to study in that form.
7. I don’t think it was Bran or Eugene’s role to keep the family together. But because Eugene is used to those around him and he doesn’t take well to strangers, I think the family going their separate ways without him is going to be hard. -
1. It could just be the natural progression of time that changes the land.
2. To show how seemingly insignificant events to people in positions of power can actually be the most impactful times in other people’s lives. It also shows that our lives on Earth are short, but that the land always remains and remembers.
3. She has shown that she cares for Thomas when his father came out of the copse the first time. It feels like it’s just her nature to care for people in a pinch.
4. Both.
5. It does seem that way; no matter how much things change, the more they can stay the same.
6. Given Liam’s experience with the priest and his father, it was a bit of a shock to hear that he wants to become a priest. But it does make sense that Liam also feels like he wants to help people who “lost their way” like his dad. I feel very sorry for Enda because she really does seem to deserve to have the same opportunities as Liam.
7. It should be the father, but I think Bran makes Eugene feel brave and helps him to stand up and fill those shoes in a way.
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