Enemy Women Readalong Week 4

This is week four of the Enemy Women by Paulette Jiles read-a-long. Please check out week 1, week 2, and week 3 discussions.  Up to this point, you would have read through chapter 24.

This week’s discussion is for ch. 25 through the end of the book.  We hope that you’ve enjoyed the discussions so far and have commented or answered the questions.

A lot of the latter parts of the book focus on Adair’s time alone in the woods.  She sits and listens to the animals and listens for soldiers and signs of life.  Do you find her reactions to her surroundings as a lone young woman in the woods believable?

I didn't find Adair's time alone believable at all. Especially the time she spent taking long baths and sleeping nude in the sun. I'm not sure I would believe that behavior at any time period. I think the stories she told herself about the animals were to help her get through a tough situation. 

How did you feel about Major Neumann not making another appearance until the second-to-last chapter, especially considering that some of us are finding his story more interesting than Adair’s?

I was glad when Neumann came back. I enjoyed his story line. At this point I was anxious for him and Adair to reunite. 

What are your final impressions of the book?

Overall I enjoyed Enemy Women. But I hated the ending. I was really hoping for a happy ending but the ending left me confused and annoyed. I would hesitate to recommend it to someone. I thought that it would have been about more than just Adair. With a title like Enemy Women, I expected the story to include other women's stories. I felt it little letdown. 

Enemy Women Readalong Week 3

I'm taking part in the War Through The Generations read-along of Enemy Women. This week, each of us had to read the Chapters 16-24.  Please be warned there will be spoilers if you have not read the chapters previously.
In Chapter 17, once Adair has escaped the prison in St. Louis and is searching for a way South, Jiles makes a point of demonstrating the nation in transition between farming and industrial and traditional and modern sensibilities.  How does she accomplish this and is it done well?
I found it interesting that Adair saw little fighting in on her way back home. I can't remember the transition too clearly (I finished the book a couple of weeks ago) but I liked the different people she ran into. Those characters made the transitions the country was in seem more real.
These chapters center on two things — Adair’s escape and attempts to return home and Major Neumann’s journey to join his new unit and the battle where he loses part of his hand.  Which storyline do you find more interesting at this point?
I found Adair's journey more interesting but I'm glad Jiles' kept Newmann in the story. I was afraid we won't hear from him again. I didn't care for the battle or this part of his story as much. 
What do you make of the woman and the daughter Adair stays with for a time?  Do you think these scenes are necessary?
I found it interesting that Adair stayed with them. She seemed reluctant to trust people so I found it curious that she stayed with them.
Out of curiosity, do you think you would be as merciless as Lila and Rosalie or more cunning like Adair if you needed to steal to survive?
I probably won't steal to survive. My husband jokes that in a crisis I'm the first to lose my head. I mostly likely would have never survived during this time. 

Week Two of Enemy Women Read Along

For this week, each of us had to read chapters 7-15.  These chapters follow Adair Colley and her plight in the women’s prison near St. Louis.
How would you compare Adair’s thinking to that of a more traditional southern woman, like Rhoda?
Adair is more modern than Rhoda. She isn't afraid to voice her opinion and doesn't feel that she should demure to men. I also thought this might have been the way and where Adair was raised. Adair lived in the country, having to work to eat and survive. Rhoda probably had servants and was raised in a more urban area.
Describe the relationship between Adair and Major Neumann.  Is it believable? Do you think the war has influenced it and in what way? Has their plight moved you?
At first I didn't believe it. Neumann seemed to find all the girls tempting. I wondered how many others he gave favors and tea too. But when Adair shared about her family in the first "confession" I think something changed for the Major. For Adair I think he was a way out. Easily manipulated, a game. If he wanted her to enjoy his company and give her gifts, she would thinking that a release would be the final prize.
What do you make of Adair’s “confessions?”  Do you think she should have followed Major Neumann’s advice and given them anything plausible just to be released?
I wonder in any war how many "confessions" are giving just to obtain what reward is dangled. I assume a lot. A captor is asking you to betray friends, family and country. A lot of people probably give false information. I found the reason that Adair found herself in prison to be weak. There was no trial, no checking to see if she was a traitor. Just someone's word and she was locked up in jail. I felt Adair's injustice and I won't make something up just to get released. I understood her point there.
What is your overall impression of the book at this point?  Are you enjoying it more?  Less?
I'm enjoying the story. I want to know what's going to happen with Major Neumann. I hope Adair can get out of jail. The writing is beautiful, makes it hard to put the book down.

Week One of Enemy Women Readalong

I'm participating in the War Through The Generations read along of Enemy Women. Every Monday I'll be posting my response to the questions posted on the previous Friday.
Do you think the prologue was necessary? Why or Why not?
I liked the prologue. I thought it set up the story very well. I liked the extra background. I don't think it was necessary but helped build up the story.
What are your first impressions of the main character, Adair Colley?
I like Adair.  She's head strong and loyal to her family. I'm looking forward to reading more about her story. I actually hope to learn more about her father too.
The correspondence at the beginning of each chapter provides background to the fighting.  How do you think that will figure into the overall plot or what is its purpose?
I love the correspondence at the beginning of each chapter. It's like a little piece of history. It lends well to the story but I'm not sure how it will fit into the overall plot.