read – Fates and Furies

I just finished this book, and I’m swirling in a cloud of mixed emotions. I can’t say I loved it, but once I turned the final page, I found myself slowly digesting the story and what it says about us. Similar to when you can’t get a song out of your mind, even though it’s not even a favorite. I’m using discussion questions as the format for this particular review. So, let’s get started!

Fates and Furies is told in halves. Why do you think the author chose to narrate the story this way? How did the split storytelling affect your reading of the book? Might it be symbolic of the characters’ inner lives? 

I believe this format definitely symbolizes the different perspectives each mate brings to a marriage. It’s important that Lotto’s story was told first, because Mathilde’s story was filled with surprises! I did feel that the first half of the book went much more slowly than the second. There were times near the end when I had to stomp on the brakes and re-read some parts to make sure I was following it correctly. How about you?

Consider Mathilde’s decision to keep her past a secret for so many years. Do you think she should have told Lotto the truth? Think about whether this lie was truly for the best; could they have been happy if Mathilde had told him everything? Why do you think she kept this information to herself?

I believe if Lotto had known the truth about Mathilde’s past, he would not have been so enamored with her. Her saw her as perfect. Innocent. And he saw himself as the conqueror. Had he known the truth, he could not have viewed her as his conquest. Lotto was narcissistic, and Mathilde was shrewd enough to “steer the boat” while having Lotto believe he was the one behind the helm.

How did the inclusion of Lotto’s writing affect your reading experience? Did Lotto’s plays help you to understand his character?

I’m coming clean here. I know the addition of Lotto’s plays were meant to contain some mythological metaphors and symbolism, but I just didn’t get them. To me, the author didn’t use this mechanism strongly enough, and I don’t think it would have affected the story much if she had left that aspect out altogether.

I will note one exception, though. In chapter 2 the author writes, “The paradox of being a mermaid: the lazier she looks, the harder the mermaid works.” Mermaids are legendary creatures rooted in mythology. Lotto’s mother worked as a mermaid before she was married. She married Gawain shortly after meeting him and being told, “he has a few million in the bank.” Likewise, Mathilde set a plan in motion to marry Lotto once she learned of his wealth. Both of these women were mermaid-like, in that they may have appeared one way but behind their facades, they worked very intently to achieve their plans. 

Discuss the way the author presents Lotto’s writing talent. Mathilde has a significant hand in his success, but she is never recognized for it. Should she have taken the credit? 

I don’t believe recognition is what Mathilde was after. She was, however, out to win. It was important to her to marry Lotto (amid all the other women clamoring after him), to keep Lotto away from his mother (as she threatened to do), to exact revenge on Cholly, and to make Lotto’s career successful and lucrative. She was more about achieving her goals than gaining recognition. But that’s just my take on it. Would love to hear yours!

Fates and Furies questions male vs. female perceptions of reality. Think about how the author approaches the notion of feminine anger. Mathilde is an incredibly angry character; do the men in her life allow for this anger? Do you think Lotto is a misogynist? And how does your vision of Lotto’s world change after hearing Mathilde’s side of the story?

Wow. That’s a loaded question. First, yes, Mathilde is an angry character. I’m not sure the men in her life allowed for this anger as much as they attributed to it. However, I think Mathilde held equal disdain for women. Her mother gave her away. Her grandmother relegated her to a closet. Ariel abused her. And yes, Lotto was a misogynist, in his narcissistic, macho view of the world.

After learning of Mathilde’s past, though, I did see Lotto differently. I began to see Mathilde as the more powerful player in their marriage and certainly the most manipulative one.

Fates and Furies spans a long period of time. Chronologically, the plot is very complex, though there is a central focus on Lotto and Mathilde. . How do they change over the years, together and apart? Do you think they had a happy marriage?

Lotto first changed dramatically when his father died. Then he underwent more change once he was shuffled off to boarding school. I believe it was there his resentment towards women began to swell. As an artist, he went through phases of self-questioning, but Mathilde always assuaged his doubts.

Mathilde’s hostile outlook on life also took root in her childhood, as she was sent away from her home and labeled “defective.” Instead of allowing someone else to “save” her (as she did Lotto), she took control of her own destiny. She used manipulation and wit to exact her revenge on the world. It was not until the end of her life that she seemed to soften, when she decided to reunite Lotto’s son with his uncle Cholly.

In conclusion, I think the key notion I took away from this novel was the question of nature versus nurture. Just how much does our environment influence us? I like a book that makes me think. But… I have to admit I never really bonded with either character, and I do NOT like a book with no likable characters. When I do not feel a genuine kinship with any character, it makes it difficult for me to become fully engrossed in the story. For this reason, I’m giving Fates and Furies 3 stars.