 |
| Mother's Dream Quilt Block |
It's time now to discuss the ending of the book!
At the end of The Persian Pickle Club, Rita sends a "Friendship Forever" quilt to Queenie and the club. What is Rita trying to tell the club?
Rita includes a card that says, "If you wonder who's responsible, I did it." Who really did do it? Does it matter?
Was this a satisfying ending to you? If so, why? If not, why not . . . and how would you change it?
There are no right or wrong answers. We'd love to hear your ideas and thoughts!
Reminders - If you receive my blog posts via email, you will need to click through to my blog to be able to see comments and to respond yourself.
When you comment, you will need to select a profile in order for your comment to show up. This is to block annoying spammers. It takes only a few moments to create a Google or some other account. If you are a follower of my blog, sign in first and then you should be able to comment.
You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post:
http://www.starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2013/02/second-discussion-of-persian-pickle-club.html
Reminders - If you receive my blog posts via email, you will need to click through to my blog to be able to see comments and to respond yourself.
When you comment, you will need to select a profile in order for your comment to show up. This is to block annoying spammers. It takes only a few moments to create a Google or some other account. If you are a follower of my blog, sign in first and then you should be able to comment.
You might also enjoy reading my previous blog post:
http://www.starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2013/02/second-discussion-of-persian-pickle-club.html
Those are really interesting questions. Friendship forever ... interesting that it was Agnes T. who gave the pattern the name and that the quilt was made from scraps donated by all the quilters. I liked that ending. Just as the revelations about the murder were masked in form of a puzzle, I think Rita really caught on to the "I did it" as a form of loyalty to the group. Each member could take that sentence to mean something different so it really didn't matter. Queenie certainly realized that and must have smiled when she read it. Good book!
ReplyDeleteI "think" Rita is trying to tell the group that she had really come to appreciate and understand the bond that had been formed among the ladies of the quilt club. Also, perhaps, to say that while she had to leave she wishes she could have stayed. From the story's point of view, I guess it didn't matter who did it. The ladies of the Pickle Club saw a wrong being done to one of their own and when the opportunity arose to make it right, they did--loyal friends to the end no matter what. However, from a moral point of view, did it matter how another human being died? Hmmm. I liked the ending. After all, the ladies of the Persian Pickle Club did promise each other that they'd never tell.
DeleteI heard Sandra Dallas speak and she was asked that question. Her answer was something like, "I'm 90% certain that the person you think did it, did it." My bet was always on Queenie, though, I always felt that her reluctance to speak out was because it weighed heavier on her than the others. I think that was the fun of the ending, though, because you'll always wonder but it will never really matter. What matters is that they stood together through everything.
ReplyDeleteA lovely ending to the story. Who had killed Ben didn't matter, they would all have tried to save Ella had they arrived at the house first, plus they were all part of covering up the story and burying the body. The quilt made for Queenie by Rita was such a specal gesture, plus I think used to let the members of the group know that she had appreciated they friendship and in return she was going to give them her loyalty, especially with the note saying 'I did it'. Although whilst living within the community, I'm sure that she didn't really enjoy the group meetings or understand the bond and loyalty the ladies had, until Ella's story was revealled. However, once she had moved away, she would have missed their friendship.
ReplyDeleteWhat strikes me about Rita is that she's from such a different background. She hates being stuck in the country and is desperately trying to find a way out. To her the ladies are silly, country bumpkins, she doesn't pay much attention to them. When their secret is revealed, her eyes are finally opened. Only very special friends would support each other as they did. When she decides to keep their secret, she becomes a real member of the Club. As to the ending, I would like to know what really happened. But, the ladies keep their secret, even from us.
ReplyDeleteI agree that when she began to near the solution of the mystery, she also began to understand what friendship was all about. The fact that she stopped her search and wrote her article to the satisfaction of the group showed she had understood. Maybe that "I did it", was another way of letting the group know that though she was glad to be out of there, she had remained a part of the group and understood what friendship and loyalty was all about.
DeleteI loved the ending. I must ditto what Daine said. Those were my thoughts exactly.
ReplyDeleteSandra Dallas puts out a newsletter every month. If you'd like to read her March newsletter, go to: http://www.sandradallas.com/?page_id=1492
ReplyDeleteThis is the first time reading this book and I liked it, but apparently not as much as others in the group. I was confused at first because the characters were all introduced at once and I had a hard time keeping track of who was who. That said, the storyline was awesome and unpredictable. My favorite relationship was the Beans. I've met some Agnes' in my life and it is hard to look past the behavior to realize that they must have been really hurt in their life. My favorite character was Ella, even before the ending. I loved the ending, especially the note from Rita: "I did it" reaffirming that she was loyal to the group and always would be. It really doesn't matter who did do it, they were all bound by their loyalty no matter how diverse their personalities. Although I would like a sequel, now that I know who's who. I think this is a book that I will read more than once and enjoy it more each time.
ReplyDeleteIt didn't surprise me that Rita and her husband moved out as quickly as they could. It did surprise me however, how she came to regard the club as very good friends and that she, in turn, became a loyal "good" friend. What better way to indicate this than by the giving a quilt made from the scraps given her by the club members. A good read that left one thoughtful as to the ending. The ending was definitely indicative of the depth and bonds of true, deep friendship. Rita will always be a friend to those in the club and it wouldn't surprise me to hear in a later book that she returns to visit.
ReplyDelete