Once upon a time, a fine fake-leather Sofa served a Denmark Street detectives' office, enthusiastically cheering on the PIs every time it was sat upon. Tragically, following some minor bomb damage, the Sofa was discarded by its owners. Happily, some cash-strapped Professors rescued it from the trash bin and, after a lot of TLC and adhesive vinyl, the Sofa was reborn. It now provides posterior respite for Faculty and Guests discussing their favorite books, film and television programs.
Today we are finally focusing on the protagonists. In what moment do you think Robin stands strongest as a character?
Remember, "Favorite Strike AND Robin moment" comes up in two days, so focus here on Robin on her own, detecting, interviewing, sleuthing or doing something else that is not a "together moment" with Strike.
I will share my thoughts after I hear from some others.
"He stopped mid-sentence. Robin was framed in the distant doorway of the ward."
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. I knew mine was going to be one of the times Robin "got into character" to get information for a case. I enjoy them all, from the first clothes modeling at Vashti's to the various incarnations of Venetia Hall to Bobbi Cunliffe. But I decided to pick for my favorite, "Vanessa Jones's" response in Mucky Ricci's room to his son Luca. Robin knew she was in the presence of a snuff film producer and his son, who was more than likely one of the film's rapists and stabbers. Robin, who had survived both a sexual assault and a knife attack and who had a history of panic attacks, managed to keep her head, stay in character, get out and have the presence of mind to recognize the handwriting and double back to get photo evidence of it. For me, that was bravery equal to the jump on the train tracks, without the recklessness.
ReplyDeleteThere are lots, but one that springs to mind is her very impressive bit of evasive driving in SW. Also, her first day at the agency - she knows exactly what information Strike needs about John Bristow and why he needs it. Another bit from CC - her visit to Malmaison in Oxford; the way she thinks on her feet and even manages to cry. Another moment, like Vashti, when she amazes herself, just as much as she impresses Strike.
ReplyDeleteOne for me is when she is leaving Matthew - the way she stands up to him when he is trying to intimidate her into staying and her No stops him in his tracks. It may be one of the few times he truly hears her!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great one for me, too. I remember Bea Groves comparing this to Nora's leaving in Ibsen's A Doll's House. Interesting because it is an Ibsen play that gives all the epigraphs for this book.
DeleteI have to say, one of my favorite bits to reread is Chapter 1 of The Cuckoo's Calling where we first meet her and learn her most secret ambition and all her romantic hopes. I love reading it because I think she's going to get everything she ever wanted in that first chapter- one has already happened and it's only a matter of time for the second!
ReplyDeleteI like all of the above as well, but one of my favorite moments that hasn’t been mentioned is when Robin is helping Strike to find out what is in Dodo’s “cheeky monkey“ — she knows just what to say to encourage Dodo to share her art. A mix of her compassion, people skills, and detective intelligence.
ReplyDeleteThe first time, she impressed me was when she got all the information in Vashti in CC by playing Strikes sister. But personally I loved all her Gryffindor moments when she dashes of to save young girls, disorbeys even Strike and even jumps into the train tracks to save that guy. I really love the clever and calculated Robin but her passion to save and help (and putting herself in mortal danger) amazes me.
ReplyDeleteRobin shouting at him that she doesn't want to lose him in the IBH while on the way to the Upcotts. He really deserved that.
ReplyDelete