Bottom line of Page 300
Danny was admiring a portrait of the founder of the modern Olympic Games when the door opened and the present holder of the title entered.
6/29/2009
6/24/2009
At last Danny met a competent solicitor
who didn't forget what should have been common sense for a professional
6/22/2009
before he didn't
P240
There was a knock on the door. It was still going to be a little time before he didn't leap up and stand at the end of the bed and wait for the door to be opened.
I have never met such structure as 'before he didn't', is there any special meaning? Are you emphasizing the courtesy of the porter?
There was a knock on the door. It was still going to be a little time before he didn't leap up and stand at the end of the bed and wait for the door to be opened.
I have never met such structure as 'before he didn't', is there any special meaning? Are you emphasizing the courtesy of the porter?
6/17/2009
Leith's & Johnson's
Page 240
You'll be able to get those at Leith's, a few doors down from where Johnson's used to be.
I'm wondering whether you had two real stores in mind when you were writing this line. In Chinese we usually include the main business of the stores in their names. With that information missing, the names sound somewhat incomplete. For example, instead of saying Leith's, we would say Leith's Chemist Shop. But I'm not sure whether it's in accord with what's in your mind. As for Johnson's, I have no idea at all.
You'll be able to get those at Leith's, a few doors down from where Johnson's used to be.
I'm wondering whether you had two real stores in mind when you were writing this line. In Chinese we usually include the main business of the stores in their names. With that information missing, the names sound somewhat incomplete. For example, instead of saying Leith's, we would say Leith's Chemist Shop. But I'm not sure whether it's in accord with what's in your mind. As for Johnson's, I have no idea at all.
6/16/2009
the meek rarely inherit the earth
Page 232
Internet companies were still falling by the wayside as their owners discovered that the meek rarely inherit the earth.
The latter part seems to have come from the Bible. My understanding of the whole sentence:
Internet companies were closing down because this is not an industry where one can survive and thrive by obeying rules.
Am I right?
Internet companies were still falling by the wayside as their owners discovered that the meek rarely inherit the earth.
The latter part seems to have come from the Bible. My understanding of the whole sentence:
Internet companies were closing down because this is not an industry where one can survive and thrive by obeying rules.
Am I right?
6/14/2009
Who's this he?
Page 233
'Goodbye, Mr Munro,'said Danny, just stopping himself from asking where his office was. Danny put the phone down. He was covered in sweat. Big Al had been right. Munro was expecting a call from Nick. Why would he have thought for a moment that he might be speaking to someone else?
Who's the 'he'in the last sentence. Danny, Munro, or Big Al?
'Goodbye, Mr Munro,'said Danny, just stopping himself from asking where his office was. Danny put the phone down. He was covered in sweat. Big Al had been right. Munro was expecting a call from Nick. Why would he have thought for a moment that he might be speaking to someone else?
Who's the 'he'in the last sentence. Danny, Munro, or Big Al?
6/10/2009
The Silver Chain
First I'd like to tell you the version I'm reading: hardcover published in 2008 by Macmillan,530pages.
Then let's come to the silver chain which is a vital prop in this novel.
As far as I can recall, this silver chain first appeared on Page 121, when Danny asked'What's hanging from the chain round your neck?' and got no answer.
Before Nick left the prison to attend his father's funeral(Page151), he left the chain to Danny's care because 'I trust you more than most of the people I'm going to meet up with later today'.
Then after Danny's appeal being turned down, on Page 199, he gave the chain along with Nick's ring and watch(which appeared for the first time) back to Nick.
After Leach killed Nick by mistake, the watch, ring and silver chain reappeared on Danny, the author explaining that it's 'for safekeeping'.
As I have not finished reading the whole book and maybe it's too early for me to draw a conclusion, but it seems that the chain (with a key attached to it) should have been given to Danny with better excuses as it seemed to be so important(a token of Nick's identity and maybe a key to some treasure). What's more, as we have read previously that when Danny was thrown into the prison, he was deprived of all of his personal belongings except for a pair of trainers(Page95). How come Nick had been so privileged to keep so many things?
Then let's come to the silver chain which is a vital prop in this novel.
As far as I can recall, this silver chain first appeared on Page 121, when Danny asked'What's hanging from the chain round your neck?' and got no answer.
Before Nick left the prison to attend his father's funeral(Page151), he left the chain to Danny's care because 'I trust you more than most of the people I'm going to meet up with later today'.
Then after Danny's appeal being turned down, on Page 199, he gave the chain along with Nick's ring and watch(which appeared for the first time) back to Nick.
After Leach killed Nick by mistake, the watch, ring and silver chain reappeared on Danny, the author explaining that it's 'for safekeeping'.
As I have not finished reading the whole book and maybe it's too early for me to draw a conclusion, but it seems that the chain (with a key attached to it) should have been given to Danny with better excuses as it seemed to be so important(a token of Nick's identity and maybe a key to some treasure). What's more, as we have read previously that when Danny was thrown into the prison, he was deprived of all of his personal belongings except for a pair of trainers(Page95). How come Nick had been so privileged to keep so many things?
6/09/2009
A Puzzling Conversation
This is a conversation among Danny, Beth and Bernie, which appears at the beginning of the story, and in the brackets are my puzzles.
“Not a chance,” said Bernie raising his glass.
“You've only got me this time. To long life and West Ham winning the cup .”
“Well, at least one of those is possible ,” said Danny. (implying which one?)
“I think you'd marry West Ham if you could,” said Beth, smiling at her brother.
“Could do worse,” said Bernie.Danny laughed. “I'll be married to both for the rest of my life .” (long life and WH winning the cup? Considering the context,the only reasonable understanding might be Beth and her father's garage, but isn't it abrupt here?What's more, by the time they three met, Danny had known Mr. Wilson's change of decision,and therefore saying that he would marry the garage also sounds illogical.)
“Except on Saturday afternoons ,” Bernie reminded him. (Time for watching games?)
“And you might even have to sacrifice a few of those once you take over from Dad,” said Beth.
“Not a chance,” said Bernie raising his glass.
“You've only got me this time. To long life and West Ham winning the cup .”
“Well, at least one of those is possible ,” said Danny. (implying which one?)
“I think you'd marry West Ham if you could,” said Beth, smiling at her brother.
“Could do worse,” said Bernie.Danny laughed. “I'll be married to both for the rest of my life .” (long life and WH winning the cup? Considering the context,the only reasonable understanding might be Beth and her father's garage, but isn't it abrupt here?What's more, by the time they three met, Danny had known Mr. Wilson's change of decision,and therefore saying that he would marry the garage also sounds illogical.)
“Except on Saturday afternoons ,” Bernie reminded him. (Time for watching games?)
“And you might even have to sacrifice a few of those once you take over from Dad,” said Beth.
Prologue
I'm currently translating a novel by Jeffrey Archer: The Prisoner of Birth, during the process of which I ran across many cultural barriers as I've no living experience abroad(outside mainland China). I found Jeffrey's official blog here and therefore would like to post my puzzles here, hoping for some help.
PS:Ironically, the two things the protagonist best at, namely figures and sports, happen to be my weak points.
PS:Ironically, the two things the protagonist best at, namely figures and sports, happen to be my weak points.
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