Welcome to part one of our discussion of chapters 34-46 of Gabriel’s Rapture by Sylvain Reynard.
Elena and I hope you’ll add in your thoughts to the questions we posed for these wonderful chapters.
***SPOILER WARNING*** If you haven’t read Gabriel’s Inferno you’ll probably want to avoid reading any further…
O…and if you haven’t read Gabriel’s Inferno yet??? Dood…what are you waiting for?!?
Alright…time for our discussion…
Discussion Questions for Gabriel’s Rapture (chapters 34-46)
1) At the end of chapter 33 there is a very disturbing scene involving Gabriel. What were your thoughts and feelings as you read it?
Tamie: Before I realized it was a dream I was completely freaking out…even after I knew it my heart was pounding and I felt so bad for Gabriel. Can you even begin to imagine how awful that would be…even now just talking about it gives me chills and makes me feel anxious for him. Isn’t it great how you can get so invested in a character and what they’re going through that you actually feel emotions related to what’s happening with them as you read?
Elena: I was losing it while reading this scene but at the same time I trusted Gabriel. I couldn’t believe he was doing this to Julia. I let out a huge sigh of relief when I realized it was a dream.
2) In chapter 35 Gabriel is having a suit made from his tailor in Florence. The tailor jokes about the suit being fine enough to be married in. Gabriel shows him the ring he’s now wearing and says, “I’m newly married,” he explained, much to the tailor’s surprise. Why do you think Gabriel said that? What does it mean? Were you surprised?
Elena: Yes, I was surprised when Gabriel showed him the ring, but I couldn’t imagine he had married someone else. I kind of sensed it was related to Julia in some way, I just wasn’t completely sure to what extent.
Tamie: Elena, I was surprised too even tho the ring had been mentioned previously. I still haven’t figured out why he said this to be honest. Wishful thinking? Hopeful future thinking? I need SR to explain this one to me.
3) In chapter 35 Gabriel finds himself in the crypt of St. Francis in Assisi and something very moving happens there. Discuss…
Elena: This is one of my favorite scenes in the whole series and quite the turning point in Gabriel’s life, in my opinion. I find myself re-reading it often because it shows how we can all find peace and forgiveness if we’re willing to pursue them and let them in, no matter the extent of our mistakes.
Tamie: I too believe these are pivotal moments for Gabriel. Finding peace, forgiveness, redemption are not easy…especially when we don’t think we deserve it. Part of the reason I love Gabriel so much is because he’s such a complex and multidimensional character. He’s not perfect which can be boring, but instead we as readers are given a man who has faults and flaws. I saw the beginnings of growth in him as a person on several levels in Gabriel’s Inferno, and it continues in Gabriel’s Rapture.
4) In chapter 36 Julia meets with Dean Aras and Professor Martin…She’s asked and answers the questions regarding Gabriel …Whether or not he’s tried to contact or see her since the hearing. As she leaves she makes a rather pointed statement that’s directed to the both of them. What did you think of this scene? How Julia handled herself? About the statement she made to them?
Tamie: I thought Dean Aras was a complete ass. I was thrilled when Julia said what she did to them both. I felt proud of her, and thought she handled herself with absolute grace and dignity while saying exactly what needed to be said. I remember thinking, Julia, you’ve come a long ways. You go girl!
Elena: I think Julia was perfectly right to make such a remark, because it was also all true. She proved to them that she knew what she wanted and that she hadn’t regretted her relationship with Gabriel. She showed how she wanted to make her own choices without other people interfering on her happiness and heart. I definitely liked the scene.
5) In chapter 37 we see Gabriel becoming one of the Franciscans’ volunteers and doing acts of charity. He goes through quite the change from his previous self, all because of Julia. In fact, throughout the novel we saw Julia holding charity very dear and Gabriel admiring her generosity. Your thoughts on how kindness can affect people. Do you believe it can even change them sometimes?
Tamie: I truly believe the line from “Gabriel’s Inferno” where Gabriel says “You blossom under kindness, don’t you? Like a rose.” I know whenever someone treats me kindly, or shows me a kindness, that it makes a difference. It uplifts me, and in turn I want to pass that on to others. I also believe it really CAN and does change people. Maybe not always…maybe not right away, but I believe that acts of kindness can touch a person’s heart in profound ways.
Elena: Absolutely yes, kindness can go a long way. I’ve always believed that if we are kind to others, we can also make them want to be kind. Acts of kindness are kind of miraculous, they can touch people’s hearts and souls in ways we wouldn’t even imagine. I believe it’s right to show kindness also to those who might not be kind to us. It’s not easy and it makes us vulnerable, but a simple act of kindness might touch them and make them want to be different. It’s not always easy to achieve that, because often our pride interferes. But the important thing is that we let kindness win the battle. Sometimes it may not have an offhand effect but sooner or later kindness harvests its fruits.
6) In chapter 37 Gabriel leaves Italy and in an extremely moving scene visits Maia’s memorial. What were your thoughts and feelings as you read through this scene? At the very end Gabriel calls Paulina and says he needs to see her. What was your reaction to this phone call?
Elena: A very touching scene, indeed. There were a lot of moments in this book where I had tears in my eyes and this is one of them. The scene showed how much Gabriel changed and that he was ready to ask for forgiveness. It was an important step to do in the healing process. I was very glad he called Paulina and I guessed he was calling her in order to make amends with her and repair those wounds they both had inflicted to one another during the years.
Tamie: This scene moved me very deeply. It was unexpected, and I think it was something that Gabriel has needed to do for a very long time. It was another step he needed to take to resolve things from his past that have kept him from becoming a man capable of self forgiveness and emotional growth. I wasn’t really surprised when he called Paulina. It seemed like the next logical step to take. There is so much that needs to be said and done where she’s concerned for him.
7) In chapter 39 there’s an unexpected scene where Gabriel meets Grace and Maia. What were your feelings as you read this scene? And why do you think this happened to Gabriel?
Tamie: I thought this was an absolutely lovely scene. It was beautiful, and it seemed to me that it was a gift to Gabriel. He’d been meeting hard things head on for once, and I felt like he’d earned it. He’s lived with repressed guilt for so long…
Elena: I agree, Tamie. This was such a beautiful scene, one of the loveliest in the book. I too think it was like a gift to Gabriel, he needed to see that both Grace and Maia knew he loved them in order to find real peace.
8) The kiss between Paul and Julia. Were you surprised?
Tamie: Hmm…yes and no. I guess I’d been expecting him to do something…make some kind of move…at least to see what Julia’s response would be. I guess I held my breath for a few moments, waiting to see if there would be more of a reaction on Julia’s part. I definitely breathed a sigh of relief at her response to it. I really did understand all the stuff that went through her mind in the moments of and after. I understand how both of them felt, having been on both sides of similar situations. It isn’t easy either way. I have to say that I would’ve been devastated if it would have gone in Paul’s favor…not that I thought it would, but you never know what an author is going to do, or where they’re going to lead you.
Elena: I kind of expected Paul would have made a move to let Julia know he loved her. I was more nervous about Julia’s reaction to the kiss and the feelings it was going to stir in her. I was glad that she stayed true to herself, to her love for Gabriel and also respected Paul. Choosing isn’t easy at all, especially when the boyfriend has left, but I liked how Julia didn’t settle, knowing that she could never love Paul the same way he did her.
Remember that we’ll be sharing part two of our discussion with you later today.
Now please join in with your comments…O and Sr’s answers to the selected questions will be in the 2nd part…you won’t want to miss out on them!
Elena and Tamie
7) In chapter 39 there’s an unexpected scene where Gabriel meets Grace and Maia. What were your feelings as you read this scene? And why do you think this happened to Gabriel?
In this beautifully written chapter that’s vintage SR, a mother ministers to her tortured and haunted son. It is not coincidence that what Edward’s mother brought to him was what she was named and was an example of. Grace. He was capable of forgiving everyone but himself and it was his mother who provided reasons for him to allow himself to be forgiven with her explanation that he had made the best decision he could given the information he had. She told him he wasn’t expected to be omniscient – or perfect. Grace told Edward he was her gift from God and he had always been special.
The elusive redemption for him could now be grasped. Maia added to that great possibility when she told him that it wasn’t possible for her to have met him before. Before he knelt in prayer at St. Francis’ tomb and before he had humbled himself in serving others and learned to feel grateful for the experience. Before he forgave himself and was then able to ask to be forgiven. Before he had opened the door to his own redemption. After that, Maia was able to tell him not only did she know he loved her but she’d see him again.
SR makes use of many themes as he writes. One of the most touching is that of redemption. If there’s angst used within SR’s lines, there is also release from it. Maia grants release to Edward by telling him she’s happy where she is. It’s a place filled with light and hope and love and it’s so beautiful. Could a person, indeed a soul, want anything more than that? Light, hope, love and beauty describe what SR masters. I was so moved by this chapter in particular because not only was it so well written, but the serious burdens that can vanquish our being are put to rest. Not only does it offer hope to the characters in this superb novel, it also offers up hope to the reader.
I think this event for Gabriel was a major turning point for him and a salient point in this extraordinary novel that’s certainly not fodder for the superficial reader. Like Grace did for Edward in this chapter, SR does in his writing: he nourishes the soul.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Thank you for your insightful comment
Question 1: A very moving scene. It made Gabriel realise what he’s lost. We get a glimpse of how he deals beneath the circumstances. The scene could be seen as a foresight of what’s to happen shouldn’t Gabriel make any changes to his current state. The scene gave me shivers and I felt so sorry for Gabriel. He’s at the verge of relapsing into his old ways. So I think this dream was somewhat a wake up call for him. It would be an understatement if I said how much I enjoy the ways SR portrays the characters emotions.
Question 2: I wasn’t all too surprised since it’s dramatic factor, is typically Gabriel. I thought it was such a romantic gesture. It obviously shows his devotion to Julia. Deeply touching. It’s a declaration to himself, to his heart of his love for her. And how much he wants to be united with her.
Question 4: I love the way she stood up to both of them. It was nice to once again see the tremendous change Julia want through. I felt quite proud of her too. I too think Julia was absolutely right to make that remark.
Question 5: I like to believe the theory, although I sometimes doubt its effectiveness. Still I don’t think that’s a reason to give up. I keep trying, sometimes it will make a change, sometimes it won’t. An even if it doesn’t affect people to quote Gabriel’s Inferno; ” Kindness is never wasted.” Basically the acts of goodness, charity we portray, is I think mostly done to overcome our own pain, loss, troubles .. etc. Cleasing our souls by doing good. Well Elena, I completely agree showing kindness to people who might not be kind to us isn’t easy, and I respect everyone who can do this. And I confess my pride often gets in the way, and unfortunately kindness doesn’t always win the battle.
Question 6 : Only Gabriel would hire a garner to cut a few rose bushes. I think that statement lightened up the atmosphere a little bit. I was very glad too when he called Paulina. If the won’t make amends and stick back the pieces together, neither of them will be able to get away from the past.
Question 7: A very moving scene, indeed. I think this dream was a plea from his unconsciousness to tell him everything will be all right. I believe a part of his guilt towards Grace and Maia will be erased after this dream. I believe this has been a turn point for Gabriel. He’s finally come to terms with the death of his mother and his daugther. I may have shed a few, well actually more like a bucket of tears during this chapter.
Question 8: No, it wasn’t a surprise for me. Actually I was waiting for Paul to kiss her. I too breathed a sigh of releive at Julia’s response to it. I didn’t think she would ever choose Paul, even with Gabriel gone. Still it was nice to be reassured.
Thanks Lisa-Marie.
I enjoyed reading your take these questions.
I think you’re right about saying that only Gabriel would hire a gardener, and it did lighten was is a very dramatic scene.
I too love the way SR portrays all the characters emotions…which I usually mirror with my own.
Thank you Lisa Marie for stopping by and for your lovely comment
I agree, Gabriel’s dream about Maia and Grace is a turning point in his life. He found acceptance and peace and it was a very moving scene. I too shed a few tears while reading it. This book is full of scenes that touched me deeply and that one is one of them
Love that quote from Gabriel’s Inferno, “Kindness is never wasted”. Very beautiful and true.
I have a question regarding the end of chapter 16 in GR, forgive me if this has already been covered and I missed it. When Gabriel goes downstairs to deal with Paulina after she shows up unexpectantly..what happened???? that part left me hanging
I think you’re referring to the end of chapter 8. Gabriel takes Paulina back to her hotel. She’s unable to driver herself because she’s had a DUI. It’s also mentioned that they have a talk, and that Gabriel tells Paulina not to show up anymore, and that he’s in love with Julia. A few chapters later something else comes out…Gabriel tells Julia that Paulina tried to put the moves on him…which he refused. Does that help at all?
Hi there! Weekend got away from me, and before I knew it, I realized that I had not put my thoughts down for my weekly GR discussion.
These chapters were an interesting read for me. I liked reading about how they were dealing with their issues while they were apart from each other. Gabriel definitely went through the most change, I think. I did like reading about Julia speaking her mind to the professors at the university. She is definitely not the same woman at the beginning of the story for sure.
There were some favorite scenes. Gabriel’s time in Italy, most definitely. The scene with Maia and Grace was beautiful and touching. Happy tears for him. I would love to read an out take of Gabriel’s conversation with Paulina too.