 Here we are again, another week of chatting about books and stuff. This time it's Mark Del Franco's druid detective, Connor Grey in the spotlight. We'll be talking about both Unshapely Things and Unquiet Dreams (in a separate post, so hold off with the spoiling, people).I have to remind myself and all you guys, the purpose of a book club is not to discuss whether you liked a book or not, but to express what resonated with you, themes, all that. But favorite bits is still the best place to start. So here's the question... Who's your favorite secondary character and why? I'd jump right into Connor as the topic, but Del Franco has populated his world with such fascinating personalities, they beg a mention--not to gush or anything. So off we go. Remember, Mark has agreed to swing by and answer questions and chat. You never know who'll stop by really. |
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Having recently read UD, the great secondary characters there really stand out. It's hard to recall UT they are so present in my mind...
So to cheat and take one from both books: Keeva. The relationship could be straight up antagonism or something from the "disgraced" (in quotes for Connor, since his disgrace is mainly in the eyes of his people)cop flick du jour. But MDF puts hints of history and context into their relationship, really broadening it without piling on too many details.
But really...Stinkwort may be the best sidekick in the history of urban fantasy.
I have to jump in on the Joe bandwagon. I love the little pink winged flit. He totally cracks me up. I'm also fond of Keeva and Murdoch. I have a big family like that so reading about the big Sunday meals and such was totally fun.
I just finished UT. I'd have to say I found Murdoch the most compelling in terms of secondary characters. Perhaps because he was the most grounded. He obviously wasn't the flashiest character on the surface, but his loyalty and his struggle to do the right thing amid all of the political machinations made him someone to admire. He wasn't the typical cynical cop.
Oh oh oh! *Hand waving*. My favorite secondary character is Meryl! She's so snarky and smart. I love how she pre-empts Connors attempts to use her, and matter of factly puts him in his place. Which he needs because I think working on redeeming himself for his past as "big man who doesn't think about the little people around him", is an important part of the book. She reminds me of Garcia - the cool computer genius in Criminal Minds. I love that she gives him a hard time, but it's GOOD that she does - he needs it.
I'm right there with you Todd. Joe is the best sidekick EVER!.
Okay I agree with Janice and go with Meryl she was fantastic and I loved every time she interacted with Conner. Gawd and I love stinkwort he was very nice oh hell who am I kidding i love them all!
To go into more depth would probably lead to a split wherein Mark H. withdraws his agreement...
But as for Joe/Stinkwort: I didn't get into the "why" before. I find the character amusing, pink wings and silly name et al, but I also like how MDF doesn't leave Joe as just a joke. He's powerful and dangerous in his own way (meaning Joe, but could apply to MDF), plus I feel there is some mystery to him.
Hi all! Mark Del Franco waving at you! I’ll be jumping in all week, so here goes:
I’m going to be lame and tell you I wuves all my secondary characters like a parent who has some perfect children as well as that one who had the unfortunate incident with the guns.
Joe strikes a chord with a lot of people. After Connor, Joe was the first to show up in the story—which is probably indicative of their relationship. Like everyone in the novel, there is more to him to be revealed (hehe).
Keeva—oh, we’ve all worked with a Keeva. She’s a bundle of hidden agenda (and not so hidden).
Briallen---there’s no hiding she’s a mother figure for Connor, but probably the most no-nonsense mother around. And she has her reasons.
Murdock—the man, the rock, the guy. Murdock is that person who looks at our world the way we wish we could. Oh, and did I mention that little problem at the end of UNSHAPELY is maybe not a little problem?
I’ll leave it at those four for now.
I figured the little problem was no little problem. Makes me antsy to get to reading the next one, and I find I want to keep reading not only to know Connor's story but to know the stories of those around him. In my opinion that's the mark of good story telling. I don't want the secondaries to take over the story, but I do want them there because they have their own powerful stories and they help to give the lead character depth and reality.
I loved stinkwort/joe!!!! I also really liked the idea of "hustler" faeries. That is absolutely hilarious...I also llove Keeva, but I don't trust her she has something sneaksy up her sleeve!
Seriously!
Synde
Briallen, Keeva, Meryl, Murdock, and Stinkwort are all my favorites.
I'm having a hard time narrowing it down past that.
I loved how Briallen had a direct line to Maeve, yet she was never too busy for Connor and eventually put her life in his hands. I think Keeva possesses a few of Maeve's qualities, at least in Connor's eyes. Everyone else has pretty much summed up the reasons I love Joe, Murdock, and Meryl.
I'm half way through UD. Got to go get back to it!
I loved all the secondary characters, but I gotta say I love Tansy. She has a small part, but I think she was adorable.
A few more thoughts on my secondary characters:
Meryl—I love getting in Meryl’s head. Connor always had it easy—especially in the social department, but he’s learning that without money and power, he has only himself to fall back on. Meryl loves to remind him he has to work at it (and not get dirt in her car).
Shay and Robin—again, they were fun to write, and difficult. Kids running off to this exotic neighborhood is not always cool and glamorous, but sometimes it’s still better than what they left behind.
Tansy---yay! A vote for Tansy, I see. She was sweet in that harmless kind of way. In a way, she is the fey version of Robin and Shay, and she learns the hard way that not everything is rainbows and butterflies.
I also liked Virgil. Great character.
I loved Murdock! Not just for his closet romance novel addiction, but that he really grounds the other characters in his circle. I'd love to meet, if only to dish over the lastest trashy novels.
And, yes, I love Joe too. But overall, I think it's watching the flits work as a unit that keeps me laughing. Makes me think of the Littles but with wings.
Both books are excellent! Congrats Mark!
I've read both Unshapely Things and Unquiet Dreams. Without question, Murdock and Joe (Stinkwort) are my favorites. I think what I like about them the most is their unique relationships with Connor. Joe's known Connor since he was a kid, so it's safe to say he's seen him through the best and the worst. So his loyalty is tried and true. Best sidekick ever. Give the Flit an Oreo.
Murdock, on the other hand, never knew Connor when he had his abilities and was a famous and powerful member of the Guild - not to mention a major A-hole to boot. The Connor Murdock knows has been horribly humbled and I can't help but wonder if they could have been friends before and, even more, would they continue to be friends if Connor ever regained his status and abilities? Loyalty and integrity are very important to Murdock and I hope Connor values their relationship enough to never forget that.
Joe is a great character. How can you not love a guy who eats oreos and drinks milk out of a shot glass?