Wanderlust (First Novel)

Discussion Director

 The Discussion Director has formulated 5 questions (Laiza)

1.  Was the decision of Audrey right, when she decided to left her old grandfather and her sister then exploring the world?

2.  What will you do the boyfriend of Annie when he was about to kiss Audrey Will you tell it to Annie on what he did?

3.  If you were Audrey, will you do the same, choosing the orphans than to Charlie, the man of your life?

4.  For you, will you marry a man who you don’t love and you just like Charlotte did?

5.  What is the purpose of Audrey in following Charlie even she has young ones to take care of?

Connector (Sherwin)

Everyone knows about Alexander Graham Bell who invented phones. But you know what? He never made a call to his family because his wife and daughter were deaf. That’s life, live for others and be a blessing to others.

In the novel wander lust, Audrey Driscoll sacrificed her own happiness because as a young woman, she had spent her life looking after others. Her younger sister Anabelle, and her wealthy grandfather have always depended on her. But, after the marriage of Annabelle to a rich handsome young man, Audrey finds herself, at the age of twenty six, looking only towards a life of servitude to others.

In reality, this is truly happening that there are some people who prefer to sacrifice, to feel the pain, to care for others just to ensure that they provide happiness. They much prefer the happiness of others than of their own. Just like Alexander Graham Bell who invented phones connect us with our loved ones even in a far distance. Phones are such a great help for us but Alexander failed to use his invention for his own happiness and that is to have a call with his family. Another person, Audrey Driscoll of the Novel Wanderlust showed to us the life of being a blessing to others. She cared for her sister and aged grandfather.

For Audrey Driscoll and the men and women whose lives touch hers, wanderlust is the inescapable element. Born at a time when women were expected to stay close to home and fulfill traditional roles, Audrey is compelled to follow the thread of events that will destroy the complacency of the past and shape the world.

Vocabulary Enricher (irish)

1.  Inexorable    -     adj. cannot be influenced by   persuasion or entreaty.

          -     cannot be altered, checked etc.

2.  Ebony               -     n. hard, dark wood of a certain tropical trees

          -     adj. of ebony, like ebony, dark or black.

3.  Penchant       -     n. a strong liking.

4.  Encumber     -       vt. To hold back the motion or action of hinder

          -     to burden

5. Trootle             -    n. the value or its control lever or pedal that regulates the amount of the fuel vapor entering an          engine

                                  -    vt. to choke; strangle

                                  -    to censor or suppress.

Characters (Rejoice)

Audrey Driscoll

·        Beautiful – a tall young woman with dark blue eyes, small hips and delicate carved shoulders and reddish hair

·        Responsible – she had been running the Driscoll mansion for 14years; she had been 11 years old when her parents had died and she stood as a guardian of her only sister, she nursed the old Mrs. Miller, the housekeeper, when she died of Influenza; and she always took care of her grandfather

·        Workaholic/Hard-working – she was very busy running the mansion to perfection; she had a good with the servants, checking over the books and keeping the house well-stocked.

·        Adventurous – she liked photography and adventure books and tales of distant, far-off places; went to lectures given by absurd, remote scholars and often stood out at land’s end. She loved wandering.

·        Strong – she stands for what she thinks is right like when she chose to refuse Charles’ marriage proposal and stayed with the orphans in Harbin. She pursued to go to Europe and travel in several places/countries despite of her grandfather’s disapproval.

·        Independent – she always took care of herself and her sister since their parents died. She even managed to travel alone without any fear.

·        Generous/kind – she had a big heart to those who are in deep need; like when she took care of the orphans in Harbin and never left them until she was certain that they would be all safe. She never forsook Ling Hwei during the delivery of her baby and when ling Hwei died, she even brought Mai Li (Ling Hwei’s daughter) with her, adopted her and treated her as her own child.

·        Loving – she was a loving granddaughter to the event that she refused Charles’ marriage proposal so that she could still fully take care of her grampa and the mansion. She was a loving sister to Anabelle; she took care of her and did everything to make her happy. She was a good lover to Charles. She had gone with him in all his wanderings and waited for him with all her patience and hope. She was a good friend to Vi and James and never left them for as long as she can like when she stayed beside Vi when James faced a great trouble in fighting in the battle.

Charles Parker Scott

·        Handsome – he had shiny black hair that was so dark it was almost blue, and a smooth olive complexion, huge dark brown eyes. He was long and lanky and aristocratic. He looked Spanish or French or Italian; he had long powerful legs, graceful arms and broad shoulders. In short, he was incredibly attractive.

·        Adventurous – he was a travel writer sand explorer. He traveled all over the world ten months of the year.

·        Kind/Generous – he helped Audrey looking for solution to secure the orphans in Harbin by finding churches where in they could leave the orphans but unfortunately, no one was willing to shoulder their burdens.

·        Loving – he loved Audrey so much to the extent that he agreed to come with her to Harbin and understood her decision to stay despite of his insisting effort to get her out of that place.

·        Patient – he patiently waits for Audrey and still loved her very dearly despite of how many times she had turned him down. He understands her and respected whatever she decided.

·        Courageous – he went to Algeria to report on the sinking of the fleet I Oran and he was a war correspondent. He was not afraid of the danger the bullets and bombs may bring. He’d been even hit in the buttocks but it’s worth the pain.

·        Independent – when he was 18, his parents died and took care of his brother who died of tuberculosis at 14. He began travelling after that and started writing his book at age 21.

     Edward Driscoll

·        Handsome – he was beautifully groomed man, once tall and still erect with snowy white hair, a full board and handsome, broad shoulder.

·        Proud/Strong – Audrey respected him so much and all the servants in the mansion followed his command.

·        Authoritative – his words inside the mansion were like a law that everyone should follow. Their maids feared him that they often jumped as he spoke and only Audrey seemed impervious to the gruffness of his manner.

·        Loving – he was a loving grandfather especially to Audrey that he still welcomed her back and accepted Mai Li.

     Anabelle Driscoll

·        Beautiful – she had the frail blond look of an angel, the look of total fragility. She’s shorter and more beautiful than Audrey. She has huge blue eyes, delicate features and a halo of blond hair.

·        Dependent – she can’t do anything for herself without her sister. She just depended on Audrey and she even put her responsibilities on Audrey. When Audrey left, she thought that everything was dumped on her and she couldn’t even manage to do her tasks as a wife and a future mother.

·        Irresponsible – she did not do her obligation as a wife that’s why Harcourt left her. She couldn’t even cook for herself. She even parked both of her children in Audrey’s room so that she would not need to watch them every time.

·        Mean – she was spoiled unpleasant girl; she wasted her life on weak men and strong drink. She didn’t care in her marriage would be destroyed and her children’s lives would be probably ruined.

·        Selfish – she only thought of herself she didn’t care if anyone was hurt. She never had a gratitude for her sister who stood as her guardian since their parents died. She only looked after her own happiness.

Violet Hawthorne

·        Humble – when she introduced herself and her husband to Audrey, she did not mention that “James” was actually “The Lord” James Hawthorne and she was “Lady” violet, a marchioness by birth. There was nothing haughty or snobbish in her eyes as she smiled at Audrey.

·        Hospitable – when she invited Audrey to London where she and her family lived, she even gave a party for her. She introduced Audrey to their closest friends and Audrey fell in love with their children and was in awe of their house/home.

·        Interrogator – she had a frightful habit of asking too many questions. In England, everyone thought her terribly rude because of that.

·        Supportive – she forced Audrey to get out and walk frequently and seventeen days after the baby was due. She was always at Audrey’s side during Audrey’s pregnancy and never left her alone.

·        Optimistic – even though Charles broke the news  that James’ plane had been crushed, she insisted that she still felt as though James was alive somewhere and she wouldn’t give up hope until someone could tell her certainly that her husband had not survived his mission.

     James Hawthorne

·        Handsome – he had shiny black hair, broad shoulders and impeccable, aristocratic hands. Audrey had to fight herself not to stare at him, but he was so good-looking that one found oneself mesmerized by him.

·        Humble – they led an indolent life of luxury and yet they were not tiresome of snobbish.

·        Faithful – he had been married to Violet and she remained faithful to her and he loved her with all of his heart for six years.

·        Brave – he has been bombing out of the Germans for the more than six months to fight for England. He got his plane crushed and even lost his arm. But still, he managed to survive.

     General Chang

·        Helpful – he had helped Audrey in assisting Hwei to deliver her baby. He had saved the baby who was named as Mai Li.

·        Trustful – he had his word when he told Audrey that he was harmless and he even proved that when he spoke to his men and gave his weapons to Audrey.

     General Rommel

·        Faithful – he adored his wife so very dearly and it was seen on the way he introduced his wife’s photo Audrey and Charles. His eyes lit up every time he mentioned his beloved wife, Lucy

·        Straightforward – Audrey was shocked by how easy he was to talk to when they posed as American Journalists and interviewed him at his hotel. They were startled by how direct the man was. He had of course not said anything direct about what his plan for the Africa coops were but he had been very chatty about everything else they asked him about.

·        Intelligent – he used a canny trick to confuse anyone selling information to their enemies. It was a brilliant rick for him to have used, all observers were suitably impressed. The British had a profound respect for him.

·        Brave – he fought side by side with his men, in tanks and on foot, as well as in the air.

·        Thoughtful – Audrey liked Rommel from the moment they’d met him. They discovered that behind his ferocious façade was a soft in his heart especially for his loving wife.

   Passages (van)

The different Passages taken from “wanderlust”

1.    “Anger wouldn’t solve anything”