Imo, Simon realize that Christian’s dad (who’s name I CANNOT remember) did what he did for his family–the same justification Simon has used for his actions. Neither are right, they’ve both chosen to go down terrible paths for a questionable reason. To me it was a sort of mirroring. And by not killing him, Simon reclaims his humanity.

I also thought that being sent off to the colonies would have been a very big deal to a man who had worked his whole life to gain entree into the ton and who had pinned his hopes on his children being accepted by society.

As for Rosalind and Pocket, I don’t see how that could ever be ‘resolved’. Once you’re tainted by the ton, that’s it. And I thought that was the point. There is no magic bullet and that’s pretty damn realistic, imho.

Anyhow, that’s my two cents. Isn’t it amazing how differently we can all interpret the same thing? Humanity.

And even though they would have supported him, undoubtedly — because he hated what it was doing to him, I don’t think he wanted them to be tainted by it as well.

As if this was abhorrent to him but that he couldn’t live with himself if he didn’t follow through.

Just want to say, yes yes — and I loved this conflict, and Simon’s character really made the book for me. I loved that he didn’t feel indestructible, as so many heroes often do — that he felt his mortality and age so deeply.

I had a few minor frustrations toward the end, but overall, I thought this was a freaking fantastic book. I was emotionally engaged from about the second that Simon opened his eyes, wasn’t the least bit bothered by the violence (no surprise there, I guess) and I believed in their HEA. It won’t be an easy one, but one they’ll both work toward. Definitely a keeper for me.

[14:39] Jayne: I did also wonder why would Simon have not used de Raaf as his second for all the duels? I could see why he wouldn’t use Pye as Henry wasn’t a nobleman but why not use de Raaf? Yeah, okay for the plot but it still doesn’t make sense to use someone Simon has just gotten to know over an older friend.
[14:39] Jane: I thought it was the “sequelitis� coming into play. It should have been de Raaf

I think the reason Simon gives, that his new-happily-married-and-expecting-babies bosom buddies are far too valuable to potentially harm rings true. Although, being me, my immediate thought was, hmmm, so it’s okay for you risk the life of that boy you just met and to take advantage of his hero worship? I heart Christian Fletcher though. Imagine, a sequel that begins in *colonial America* and shows him somehow fighting his way back to England. or not.

As for the dueling = murder/justice aspect, I guess in retrospect it is very modernistic, as I was nodding my head along with Lucy saying, yes, yes, murder is wrong, I too would be freaked if my new husband was out at all hours inciting people to violence.

Hey, if I’m subscribed via email to one DA column & discussion does that mean I’m subscribed to all new ones? Cuz I was surprised to see the email alert for this entry pop up. But glad I clicked on it because TSP is now one of my all-time favorites and I love to talk about it :)