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R-g-R wrote: ↑14 Apr 2018, 03:38 Maybe Natalie was a free spirit, not bound to conventions and traditions?

Libs_Books wrote: ↑14 Apr 2018, 04:51

R-g-R wrote: ↑14 Apr 2018, 03:38 Maybe Natalie was a free spirit, not bound to conventions and traditions?

Well, could be - an illicit affair perhaps goes with the 'artist' stereotype. However, I feel the opposite, really, in that I suspect the author felt that the best excuse for Natalie betraying a woman who'd been kind to her was to suggest that she really, really loved Bruce, with the kind of love that lasts a lifetime. I'm sure Natalie was in desperate need of a father figure, but could that possibly have lasted into maturity? As for convention, well, as others have pointed out, she missed out on what one might describe as a 'normal' life (marriage, kids) - and, if a mature person chooses to do that, that's fine. I suppose what bothers me most is that what we see of Bruce in the book is not particularly 'nice' - cold (except when he's hot, if you see what I mean), arrogant, condescending, manipulative and dishonest. I feel that the novel is a reasonably honest depiction of a young girl battling with a whole host of very real problems - and then the author goes and chucks all that away in an epilogue which has everyone living happily ever after.

R-g-R wrote: ↑09 Apr 2018, 23:09 Are you happy/satisfied with the final outcome of Ironbark Hill, or would you have preferred something different, and why?

becsimpson wrote: ↑12 Apr 2018, 15:20 I like the ending because it's not what people would necessarily WANT as an ending, but it's more realistic. Sadly, people do make those kinds of choices in real life. Not everything gets a happy or moralistic ending.

Libs_Books wrote: ↑10 Apr 2018, 11:33 Thanks for raising this topic, R-g-R.
I would have preferred the ending without the Epilogue. There would then have been room for a sequel and yet still a real sense of ending - Natalie and her family would be safe - but there would still have been room for curiosity about what might happen to the character next. I find the Epilogue disappointing and also not particularly credible as I find it hard to believe that she wouldn't have grown out of her teenage infatuation with the rather creepy and morally dubious Bruce. Most importantly, I'm rather saddened by the fact that ending makes me feel I can't recommend this book to teenage readers.

R-g-R wrote: ↑14 Apr 2018, 03:10

Jmteachmom wrote: ↑11 Apr 2018, 17:33 I have to say I liked the epilogue. My thoughts about the choice to continue to be a lover to a married man is not a moral one but it was her choice. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely DO NOT agree with sleeping another's spouse but I feel like Natalie learned some hard lessons for a sixteen year old. These were lessons most teenagers today do not face. I feel the ending was something I would have expected from Natalie. She had lived a life of abuse, hardship, and let downs. Some people just don't know any other way or choose to make decisions about their future based on their past. It was refreshing to see that she became able to help her siblings and was willing to do that. To each their own thoughts.

I understand what you are saying. Initially, I was concerned about Rosemary and her thoughts/reactions. Once I read that she seemed relieved with the situation/outcome, then I decided I could more easily go along with what was written. It does raise questions, such as, why or how is Natalie happy to have such a long term hidden relationship, while being content to be seen as a virginal spinster by her students? Maybe the death of Alex brought such relief and peace that she could focus on the things important to her (family, students/teaching and her relationship) without needing to push for more...?