Shutter Island

Not continuing where I left off….

     Slowly, things became more and more different aroun Ashecliff. People began to disappear (including Chuck) and there didnt seem to be any answer to it, until Teddy found the REAL Rachel Solando. While traveling along a cliff line, close to shore, Teddy came across a cave with her inside. It truns out that Rachel usd to be a doctor, not a patient, and had been on the run ever since. She also informed Teddy of the drugs that they had most likely been feeding him. But in the morning, Rachel was already gone, looking for another place to hide.

     Teddy’s only chance was to get off of the Island, and quick. He survived the next few days and managed to get into hiding. However, on the day of the ferry, there were several guards watching the dock. He was able to create a diversion but still was unable to get away. Finally, he made his way up to the lighthouse, where Dr. Cawley was waiting for him, to get some answers.

     Now, drawing near to the books close, things became a little unclear. It turns out, that Teddy himself is a patient at the hospital, and was a marshal over two years ago. He has been living this lie over and over in his head several times. The many twists and turns left me technically with answers, but actually with few.The book ends with Teddy admiting who he is, but takes an odd twist when one doctor calls over Dr. Cawley to take him away. It leaves you wondering whether or not Teddy has in fact gotten better or whether not he is reoccurring and is to be taken away to the hospital.

ps. To add the list of pet peeves:

- forgeting names in a book: Actually in the story, Teddy learns of his actual name, along with his wifes and childrens. Unfortuantely I have already turned in the book and have left myself dying here thinking of the answers. Therefore, sorry if my summary is a little…..foggy.    

Shutter Island

     It’s come the time, nearing the end of the year, where one finds himself settling down and beginning to read. Recently, I finished the book Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane which Mrs. Y had previously recommended. Not knowing what to expect, the first few chapters of the novel were surprisingly dry for a mystery, leaving me doubting the read. Fortunately, my doubts were quickly reversed and I found myself in a world where nothing is as it seems.

     During my last post, I summed up the first few pages which involved merely a brief outline of the scenario. I left off with Teddy and his partner Chuck looking for evidence in the room of Rachel Solando (a missing “prisoner/patient”). The two US marshals spent the next day or two looking for any plausable means of escape that Rachel might have taken, but both coudltn draw any conclusion. This case seemed to have know answer; unless someone wasn’t telling the truth. Suddenly, Rachel Solando was found, yet Teddy wasn’t satisfied; something wasn’t right. Slowly, both Teddy and Chuck began to mistrust the hospital staff, sneaking around from ward to ward, trying frantically to find any hint or clue to justify their suspicions.

      Not to give too much away, I’m going to stop there for now. We need enough for another blog! But at this point in the novel, everything has begun to get interesting. Teddy has become my favourite character as he slowly seems to go more suspicious and cunning.

 That’s all for now! Hold on untill next week!

Shutter Island

     So! While reading today, I made quite a lot of progress in my book Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane. Teddy and Chuck, two new detective partners, have arrived on Shutter Island by ferry and were met by Mr. McPherson – the Deputy Warden on the Island. If you look back to my previous blog, you will remember that Teddy and Chuck were on their way to a criminally insane institution on the island.

     On arrival, McHperson took them up to the top of the Island and introduced them to several people as well as gave them a tour of the instituion. He explained how there is a Ward A – for men, a Ward B – for women and a Ward C – that is completely out of bounds. Once these basics were established, McPherson then led them to the main builkding where they met up with Dr. Cawley, one of the founders and head doctor opn the Island. Dr. Cawley explains the current situation to them; Rachel Solando escaped the instituiton last night between the hours of 10 and 12, with no obvious means of doing so. Taking all evidence into consideration, Teddy and Chuck request a visit to her room and are surprised to see that it is not much more than a closet.

     This is where I have left off in the book. So far, it has been a rather interesting plot and multiple ideas and scenarios are forming in my head. Unfortunately, the beginning was a bit slow, but has improved to a steady pace of adventure and mystery. I have to admit, at first I wasnt so sure if I would like the main characters, but have now grown to enjoy them. Teddy Daniels gets very wrapped up in his work, but manages to add very sly and stealthy comments into normal conversation. His parter, Chuck Aules is more of a laid back character, his perfect contrast. They both enjoy one anothers company and as Chuck puts it “they have both learned how to fuc* with eachother”. However, the character of Dr. Cawley has to be my favourite of all. He seems to have all qualities of the token “mystery man” and is most definately the most suspicious of all the characters. He reluctantly gives the detectives all the information they require. 

      As the period comes to an end, I find myself craving more of this book. I feel as if with every page I read, a new twist to the plot evolves.

Happy Reading!

Shutter Island

      Well its come time again to switch from novel to novel. I had just finished reading And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie (originally recommended by Mrs Yallup) and am now indulging myself in Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane. My previous book was a great mystery that left me guessing until the end and I’m now hoping to be greeted with the same result.

     After reading the back of the book as well as reading the first few pages, I can assertain a few ”things to come”. The story takes place in 1954 in the United States with the protagonist   Teddy Daniels and his new investigative parter Chuck Aule. They have come to Shutter Island, home of Ashecliffe Hospital (for the criminally insane), to investigate the disappearance of Rachel Solando, a murderess who is loose somewhere on the island. When a hurricane devastates the island, a new problem occurs which changes everything. No one is going to escape the island and even Teddy himself is in question.

Ill try and read as much of the book as I can this weekend to keep you informed!

Good Reading!