There seems to be a lot of differentiating between old and new in this book. The "new" of the continent vs. the old of Oât, old and new alphabets, etc. But things that are supposed to be clearly delineated as old or new often run together, like all the Mellies and Roses.
I don't have much more to say about the text. I liked the second half less, but I don't know exactly why. I don't think there was anything new introduced, like concepts or ideas, or even any major points being made. The ending was not surprising, in fact, it was predictable the minute she started talking about going to the grotto to have the baby. There was also no character change in Mellie by the end of the novel. This is disappointing, but when I think about it, I don't see much of a developed character that could change.
Then I read the explanation on the triptych of stories, and I think it's just reaching, even as a metaphor. Even as a story. I was constantly returning to reality to question how things were happening, like, how does Mellie pay for things? Where does she get food from? Why is a secondhand man being a mayor? Are there seriously only ten people on this island? It just wasn't believable, and not in a good way.
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