A Journey to Three Pines - Episode 3: The Cruelest Month
We are so excited to journey with you to Three Pines, the fictional French-Canadian village created by Louise Penny for her Three Pines series, featuring Armand Gamache. This spin-off podcast series will tackle each of the books in the series in turn, in a spoiler-FILLED format. Be sure you’ve read the book before listening to the episode.
As you’ve come to expect with all Currently Reading content, Meredith and Roxanna will follow a regular episode format, with regular segments, so you know what to expect each and every time. We love staying focused on the book, rather than conversational rabbit holes.
Show notes for this series will not be time-stamped, but will include links to Bookshop dot org or Amazon for any books or resources referenced in the episode. These are affiliate links, so they kick back a small percentage to us if you buy through them, and help support the work we do on Currently Reading.
1:56 - The Set Up
The Cruelest Month by Louise Penny (one L simply due to demographic of readers? Please don’t fight me over this!)
3:05 - Putting the Book Into Context
Publication date
Seasonal setting - Spring, around Easter
Book Awards: Agatha Award for Best Novel in 2008, Nominated for: The Anthony Award, The Macavity Award and the Barry Award for Best Novel of 2008
Critic Reviews
Alternate Title: Cruelest vs Cruellest - that’s the only difference dependent on geographic location of publishing.
Meredith’s and Roxanna’s encounters with the book
Currently Reading Season 5: Episode 45 w/Ezeekat
8:46 - A Deeper Exploration
Setup and first few paragraphs
A seance as the driving source of the mystery
Still Life by Louise Penny
One note character in Madeline/lack of care for her as a character
Gamache not introduced until chapter 9
Pg. 69 - Make note for future reads
Gamache as a father and grandfather figure versus an inspector
The pacing of the novel
Quality of writing itself
Themes: Regeneration, Resurrection and its unpredictability, jealousy, equanimity, grief, platonic love,
Character Development - Gamache’s Pride, Beauvoir
The Fear Factor
55:58 - What Do We Need to Know?
Village of Three Pines - The Hadley House, Hazel’s House
A Fatal Grace by Louise Penny
Homes as a driver for the plot/characters
The Oddness Factor
Gamache’s accented English
1:06:00 - Superlatives
Favorite scene
Character MVP
Biggest loser
Best food description
1:16:32 - Within the Series
Is this book skippable?
Setting the foundation
Favorite quote
*Does the reading of passages take you out of the conversation or help enhance it? Let us know at the socials below!
Next episode’s read: A Rule Against Murder by Louise Penny
No Spoilers this episode!
Connect With Us:
Please note the change in Meredith’s Instagram handle. This was recorded prior to the change.
Meredith is @meredithmondayschwartz on Instagram
Kaytee is @notesonbookmarks on Instagram
Roxanna is @roxannatheplanner on Instagram
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