Stear’s Memorial
I hope this latest update finds you still safe and well. It’s been slightly more than half a year since the virus that put the world in chaos was officially named, and needless to say, I’m so glad to continue to hear from you. Not only your feedback has been highly encouraging, but your insightful remarks have greatly contributed to my blog. Thank you very much! As usual, I will quote a few comments this time but rest assured all comments are much appreciated. 🤗
Because of the questions raised in the comments, I’ve re-read some letters in Section 3 of Candy Candy Final Story (CCFS). As I mentioned before, Nagita sensei has seemingly abandoned the conventions of normal chronology in this section. 😛 I often find myself changing the imaginary timeline in my mind. The only certainty is that the letters are not displayed in the order of their occurrence. Therefore, please feel free to correct what I’m going to say next.
So when did Stear’s memorial take place? Before or after World War I? I’ve always assumed it happened before the war was over. I recently read Fay’s translation of Archie’s letter to Candy in CCFS soon after Stear’s death and began to understand why some readers think otherwise. (Speaking of which, Fay is now dedicated to re-translating from both French and Spanish official versions. Please check my page, Translations of CCFS, for details.)
However, near the end of Archie’s letter, he asked Candy to take care of Patty, and then he suggested “When this war is over, let’s hold a memorial for Stear at Lakewood!” It was just his idea. I’m not sure about the official translations, but as far as I can tell, nothing was concrete.
By the time Candy wrote a letter to Archie, the memorial had already occurred in Lakewood. In the beginning of this letter, Candy asked if Archie had settled down with his new life, so he might have moved to Massachusetts between the end of summer or early autumn. Candy also stated the war was finally over. Thus, I’m convinced the memorial took place before Archie decided to continue his study elsewhere.
Perhaps it was during the memorial service that Archie had come to his senses? Maybe he realized he should stop his so-called relationship with Annie when deep down he still preferred Candy? Archie is a sad character. He had not been able to give up Candy like his elder brother Stear had. I have a feeling Archie could sense the peculiar relationship between Candy and Granduncle William when he saw them both during the service. After all, Archie had witnessed how the two had evolved from friends to really close buddies.
As Lynn said in her comment, “…this novel functions as a form of a cycle and the ubiquitous as well as unifying element in this story is the development of the relationship between Candy and Albert. What started off as a mere innocuous and completely innocent childhood crush Candy had for her “Prince” gradually evolved into an imperishable bond comprising those essential components of friendship, reciprocal respect, communication and ultimately, sheer and unconditional love.”
What’s more, as Myra’s pointed out, “Readers get those bits and pieces from Nagita and Candy concerning Albert’s beauty and youthfulness throughout the novel. Besides, he is one of the most stunning-looking in the manga as well. Igarashi did a fine job drawing him… Candy adored Albert’s eyes, smile and voice. He wasn’t just another pretty face but a man who enthralled her…”
While Archie had no idea about Prince on the Hill, being an observant guy, I think realization finally hit Archie that he was forever doomed to be merely a good friend of Candy. She was obviously falling for his young uncle. Hence, it was time for Mr. Cornwell to move on. I can’t agree more with Sarah about the essence of this well-beloved story: “This story isn’t a cheap soap-opera. Instead, this story focuses on dealing with difficulties in life and eventually overcoming them with perseverance and dignity. This story is about moving on and not being fixated and obsessed with the past.”
Remember Nagita sensei in her interview had mentioned that Candy was optimistic and forward-looking? In Candy’s letter to Archie, she mentioned the world was still in a mess, but “we just have to move forward!” (前を向いて進むしかないのよね！)
Archie was not the only one affected, of course. We read in this letter that Annie was shocked about his decision to relocate. I personally do not like Annie, thinking that she’s worse than Susanna when it comes to loving a man. Yet, I admire that she was brave enough to face the reality and even resolved to find her own way while waiting for Archie. I guess that it was when they were far apart from each other Archie began to appreciate her more and more. Let’s hope that she had matured to be less selfish too. 🤞
Here let me present my new fanart. This is my first time drawing another character from Candy Candy. In CCFS it’s only clear about his hair color (like wheat). Yet, I found one of Igarashi’s artbooks that Archie’s eyes are blue as well. To be honest, I’m not very satisfied with the result. It has taken me a considerably long time to correct and amend my drawing again and again, but I’ve decided to move on at last. 😀 I told myself there’s always a first time, for everything. 😉
Dear Ms Puddle.
You never cease to amaze me with your talent. Not that your fanpics of Candy and Albert aren’t amazing, but this particular fanpic of Archie is stunning to say the least. You have added so much depth into Archie’s character especially with regards to his immense grief for the tragic albeit heroic death of his brother. You manage to capture such an array of complex emotions not only in your fanfiction but also in your fanpics.
I’ll end this brief message for now by thanking you again for always welcoming me in your blog and considering my comments. I am grateful to you for that.
Talk to you again soon and with a lengthier comment regarding my thoughts on your latest post.
As this post is dedicated to heroes like Stear, I’ll add this link to a song by a renowned country-music singer called Trace Adkins dedicated to all those heroic women and men lost in battle fighting for freedom:
tinyurl.com/y3cx4veg
Hi @Lynn! Thank you and your positive feedback is making me blush. ☺️
I should thank you for letting me quote your comment! Take your time to write again, and thanks for the song. I’ll listen to it when I have a chance. 🎧
Whatever I said is 100% accurate about your high quality blog, Ms Puddle. As for Trace Adkins’ song about the heroes of war, it one of his best. I’m not into country music (most of it is “tractor rap”, nowadays), yet, this song is worth listening.
“..it is one of his best..”
By the way, I also found the time to “tackle” some of your fanfics. I’ll let you know what I think about them once the workload becomes a bit lighter.
Hi @Lynn, believe me, these days I can’t help but blush ☺️ whenever I remember my own fanfics. I don’t know where I got the courage back then 😅 Yet, thanks for taking the time. I hope you will enjoy some parts of whichever story you’re tackling 😄
Thanks again, @Lynn! 🤗
I have listened to the song you recommended. The video and lyrics are indeed poignant 😥
I put the link here again for those who might be interested:
https://youtu.be/rJO7lJIxG10
I’m glad you like the song. It was the first that came to my mind upon looking at your fanart of Archie during Stear’s memorial. I tried posting the full link but the message wouldn’t go through. Perhaps the link was misinterpreted as spam but it accepts it in tinyurl form.
Hi @Lynn I just realized the YouTube link did not show up if I view my comment using a mobile phone. I’ve modified the comment again. This time it should work 😃
The link works fine, Thanks!
Beautiful song @Lynn. Trace Adkins has a really good voice and the lyrics are poignant. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks @Sarah. Glad you liked the song.
This is such an amazing albeit sad song. That country singer has a deep and inspiring voice which suits so well to this song-tribute for the fallen heroes of war. Great choice and thanks for sharing.👍
Trace Atkins along with Blake Shelton and George Strait belong to that “upper tier” of country-song musicians. Even if you’re not a particular “fan” of the genre, those musicians manage to appeal to a wider audience thanks to their versatile talent.
Agreed. Blake Shelton is a bit more mainstream but that hasn’t reduced the quality of his music.
That’s right!
Hello!
Is this really the first time you’ve drawn images of Archie? Even so, this drawing is amazing!
Please, consider drawing other characters from Candy Candy as well including Stear, Patty and George. Given the lovely images you have provided for Albert, I’m sure your drawings of his sister, Rosemary, would also be fantastic.
Yes @Aurora. Why would I lie? 😉 Thank you and glad you like it too 🤗
I’ve always been drawing either Candy or Albert. When I decided to illustrate a different character, I picked Archie first simply because I like his character in the story. Besides, his fine long hair would be a challenge.
Thank you for your suggestions. I’ll think about it some more 😘
Please do consider it, and while you’re at it, add Terry and Susanna to the list as well. I’m sure you’ll do a fine job illustrating Terry just as you have always managed to delineate and analyze his character in a far more intelligent way than most of his fans.
Thank you @Aurora. You’re not the first one who suggested Terry to me. He’s on my list for sure, but since many fans have drawn him already, it’s unlikely he will be my next one to tackle. 😉
I agree that there’s a lot of fan-art about Terry but most of it isn’t worth it. The ones depicting him with short hair are the worst. Terry’s beauty lies in his mane and it’s really his whole appeal. The best fan-art about him is the one which remains akin to the manga. Terry and Albert are by far some of the most stunning-looking anime and manga male characters (‘Bishounen’) and Lady Oscar along with Julius von Ahrensmeyer (‘Bifauxnen’) from “The Rose of Versailles” and “Orpheus no Mado”, respectively. There are many more noteworthy examples but these characters had set the ‘blueprint’ for the beauty standards regarding subsequent anime and manga productions.
It’s so true, @Aurora. The characters you have listed are all very beautiful indeed 😍😍😍
Thank you @Ms Puddle. Yumiko Igarashi and Riyoko Ikeda are so talented and their manga artwork was ground-breaking for the time and still influential nowadays.
Yes indeed, @Aurora. Yet I don’t appreciate Riyoko Ikeda’s new drawing style in her later productions. In the Windows of Orpheus we could sort of see the change gradually happening… Sigh.
Really? The manga art of hers I’ve come across seems to be quite good. Which ones are you referring to?
Hi @Aurora, this shows an example of what I have in mind:
https://www.mangaupdates.com/series.html?id=39375
Apparently, Ikeda sensei completely changed her drawing style in Versailles no Bara Gaiden. Sorry to say I prefer her original character designs so much more.
Have you got another link because this one doesn’t really show anything when I click onto the manga title? It displays an image of a parody manga of the Rose of Versailles instead. Are you referring to that one or something else? Thank you, in advance, and apologies for any inconvenience.
Let me try to find another link, @Aurora. As far as I know, the “gaiden” was also produced by Ikeda sensei herself, not a parody?
Please, take your time. It’s nothing crucial. As for that so-called parody, I don’t know much about it apart from what’s already cited in that link you had posted here in the comments section.
Hi @Aurora, I’ve done some searching and decided not to post it here anymore. After all, it’s just person preferences and I should respect Ikeda sensei for her talents.
I was simply requesting for a link which works, Ms Puddle, and nothing more than that. Expressing personal preference has got nothing to do with disrespect, by the way, as long as it’s done with good intent.
Hi Aurora, I am not sure if we can actually view Ikeda sensei’s manga online, especially the less popular Rose Of Versailles Gaiden series. The story setting was before Andre’s injury, and as you can see from the book covers, the drawing style was quite different from the one in Rose of Versailles, which I preferred. As I mentioned before, I did see this change gradually emerge in the last couple of volumes in Windows of Orpheus.
Thanks for the link. The change in style doesn’t seem to bother me but that’s just personal preference. I see what you mean in the final volumes of the Windows of Orpheus, however, where the style does seem to change and not for the better.
Wow! Archie looks so beautiful in this drawing of yours. He has such a soulful look in his eyes. For my part, I had been affected the most by Stear’s death as he was my favorite character in the anime and the manga. I had never held Archie in much esteem because he seemed too petty and frivolous. I changed my mind, however, after reading the novel because Nagita converted Archie’s character into a much more mature and intelligent one. I also appreciate that Nagita added further info about Archie having successfully completed his postgraduate studies in economics and becoming a hard-working citizen. Interesting how Candy furthers this praise for Archie and, of-course, she would start talking about her dearly beloved Albert and how he also admires the way Archie has grown to become an industrious and a responsible adult.
Thank you very much @Michelle! Glad you like how it turns out. 🤗
Besides Albert and Candy, I like the Cornwell brothers the most. I’m just ok with Anthony because he died too young (not much character development).
I might have missed the detail of Archie having finished his studies… 🤔 About where in the novel is this mentioned, Michelle? Thanks in advance!
When Candy had commented about Albert admiring Archie for turning into such an educated as well as a mature and hard-working young man, it appeared in the novel that Archie had completed his studies in Boston. I’ll check the novel again just to make sure.
In addition, it was definitely George who had embarked on postgraduate studies in economics and excelled in his academic endeavors. However, I have the impression that it’s mentioned in the novel that Archie had also continued his academic studies in tandem with his work in business. Perhaps, I’ve confused or conflated Archie with George. I’ll re-check my sources and let you know.
I have a question though..
Hadn’t Archie graduated from university by the time he married Annie? Could you look into this too in your original Japanese 2010 text?
Thank you in advance.
Thank you @Michelle 🤗 I might double check that as well 😊
Hello Ms Puddle and Michelle,
It seems that Archie had graduated by the time he got married but it’s not clearly described in the novel. Presumably, he would have had to complete his studies at university first and have a steady job before getting married-at least that was customary during his time during the early 20th century.
I would agree with you @Myra. Based on what I’ve read so far in my translated books, it seems like Archie had completed his academic obligations prior to matrimony. Maybe he was still a university student when he got engaged, however.
I also had the impression that he was still a student when engaged to Annie albeit not confirmed in the text. It’s really just an assumption..
Hi @Myra and @Michelle, to me it’s unclear when their wedding was. Like you both, I also have the feeling that the engagement party took place when Archie was still a student. (Albert had not yet confessed to Candy, so she had no idea about him being Prince on the Hill.) In fact, Archie might have moved back to Chicago after the engagement party. Who knows?
Because Albert suggested Candy come to Chicago for her birthday and brought up Annie. It seems odd if Albert knew about Annie’s intention don’t you think? It’s more likely Albert heard that from his nephew Archie. Candy in her letter after the birthday party mentioned that it had been a long time since she last saw Archie, Annie and Patty.
Just my two cents, of course.
Your theory is plausible, Ms Puddle, and it seems to the closest we can get to an answer albeit not definitive. But then again, not much is particularly definitive in this novel, the title of which (the Spanish title of this novel) is an ironic misnomer to say the least.😉
Excellent representation of Archie! Well done, Ms Puddle.👍👍
I totally agree with you that Archie had sensed that something was going on between Candy and Albert which went way beyond any form of “friend-zoning”. It’s also really cool that all of Candy’s friends who got to meet Albert immediately became fond of him as opposed to Terry who made no effort to get to know Candy’s friends. But then again, none of Candy’s worthy friends were interested in getting to know Terry either as most of them didn’t like or respect him.
In the real world, when our good, loyal and worthy friends have misgivings about our love interest or if they respect and admire the person we’re interested in, then that’s a sign worthy of note.😉
Excellent comment and spot on!
Hi Gabriella, thank you very much!
I still remember your question about the sandwich scene. I’ll get to it eventually 🙂
I totally agree with your analysis about Candy’s friends’ acceptance of her male friends 😉 It’s so true we should heed our good friends’ misgivings.
Remember how much Annie “pushed” Candy to fight for Terry? I can’t help but suspect that Annie was afraid that Archie would leave her because Candy became available… LOL 😅
You’ve got a point there.. Never thought about it, tbh. Annie was so obsessed with Archie that she could have been paranoid enough to fear that Candy would have eyes for him after she broke up with Terry. the irony is that Annie and Susanna are very similar in character and even though both of them are so physically attractive, they are infested with so much ugliness when it comes to their jealousy, insecurity and fixation. I wonder why Nagita decided to liberate Terry from Susanna but didn’t follow suit with Archie as well by liberating him from Annie. I’m not suggesting that Nagita should have “killed off” Annie as she did with Susanna, but she could have furthered Archie’s story by adding a plot where he meets and falls in love with a colleague of his at work or at university. Archie seems to have developed into a very scholarly person in the novel and he would deserve an intellectual equivalent. Unfortunately, Annie doesn’t meet those criteria and she’s definitely not the sharpest knife in the drawer. She’s got loads of beauty but very little brains as opposed to Patty who is no fashion model but she’s a brilliant mind and her love for Stear was much healthier than Annie’s diseased infatuation with Archie.
As for my query, no need to worry about. Please, take your time.
Well said, @Gabriella! My sentiments exactly. Both Annie and Susanna are very pretty but highly insecure and possessive. Yet, as I said, Annie is worse than the actress. 😑
It’s funny her letter to Candy only proves how selfish Annie was. I guess it’s not a coincidence that many Terry fans like this letter 😄😉
Idk if she’s worse than Susanna.. At least Annie didn’t hide letters from Archie as Susanna had been doing for quite some time at the expense of Terry and Candy. Susanna appears to be much smarter and cultured than Annie but she’s also more manipulative. The two of them are just as needy and desperate over some guy though and that makes them so pathetic.
@Gabriella, IMHO, at least Susanna was on the verge on committing suicide in order to free Terry from the dilemma. She actually picked the perfect timing — both Terry and Candy should be in the Broadway theatre. She wouldn’t have predicted Candy would come at that hour, so her intention had been sincere.
Annie had no rival, and if another young lady had written letters to Archie I can easily imagine Annie could have reacted like Susanna. Yes, they were both very pathetic.
I’m referring to how manipulative Susanna was concerning the ways in which she prevented Candy from seeing Terry in Chicago and later on when she hid her letters from Terry. Both actions are inexcusable and I honestly find it nonsensical that Terry had forgiven her for her emetic practices.
I’ll have to agree with you on this one @Gabriella because I also cannot find a reasonable explanation as to why Terry had pardoned Susanna of all her wrongdoings-and this is prior to her devastating accident. Nevertheless, in the novel we don’t get any significant insight surrounding the dynamics of this Terry-Candy-Susanna trio as opposed to the anime and manga where the plot is much clearer. In the anime and manga, Terry admits that he’s attracted to Susanna and his favorably predisposed behavior towards her in the novel may suggest a similar situation. Besides, he never bothered to dispel any of the rumors circulating about him and Susanna having an affair. He could have smacked down those rumors-if the were false-for Candy’s sake as those rumors put her in a difficult and awkward position whether she trusted Terry or not.
Well said, @Sarah. Terry knew full well he was good-looking and attractive (considering how he had teased Candy in the past), but he was probably taken aback when such a talented and beautiful young lady had fallen for him. 🤔
Agreed. Terry could have just made it clear to the tabloids that there’s nothing going on between him and Susanna without providing any further details since it’s nobody’s business anyway. As you’ve mentioned, it’s not about the gossip columns but about his respect for Candy. Unfortunately, he didn’t appear to respect her much and he even tossed her aside several times in order to choose and be with Susanna. Eventually, Candy finally accepted this unpalatable reality in her life and that’s why she decided to let him go. There’s no point fighting for him since he’s the once who threw his otherwise very brief teenage flirting with Candy into the hot dumpster fire.
It’s interesting, isn’t it? Terry would fly off the handle and go completely apesh$t when Candy had accidentally stumbled upon his mother’s photograph but he would be all “knight in shining armor” and “cutie-pie” for Susanna after discovering that she had driven Candy away when looking for him in Chicago and even worse, when she had been keeping Candy’s letters from him. The double-standards mentality on behalf of Terry reeks to the core. It’s even more interesting that the intelligent ones of this story who are Patty, Archie and Albert, avoid this sensitive Terry-Susanna subject and just focus on providing moral support to Candy. Presumably, they’re wondering themselves what the hell has been going on between Terry and Susanna because he sure has a soft spot for her and that’s beyond any shadow of a doubt.
Yes @Lynn I can’t agree with you more. Terry fans blamed it all on Susanna while conveniently ignoring the fact that their beloved hero had been misleading her too.
It’s not a one-sided thing. It takes two hands to clap.
Yes, Lynn, it sure is interesting.
What’s even more telling of Terry’s apparent attraction to Susanna is that he was so tender and affectionate towards her well before she had that terrible accident which plunged the quality of her life.
Critics could argue that Terry was kind to Susanna out of pity but this argument is completely useless because Terry was chivalrous to Susanna prior to her accident when she was enjoying a life full of fame and glam.
Let’s not forget that this is the same character who would be so rude, mean-spirited and abusive to so many women including his own mother and Candy.
When it came to Susanna, however, he was utterly polite, gentle and sweet to her. He never treated a woman with so much respect as he had treated Susanna and this was before her accident as well as after that terrible event.
Yes indeed, @Gabriella. Terry was evidently a totally different man when he was with Susanna. She was a rising star herself, and that alone might have earned some respect from him. While he did not get along with his other coworkers he was fine with Susanna.
Ah, I see. In that case I agree with you, @Gabriella 🙂
The fact that Terry could forgive Susanna so easily speaks volumes, as the others have already pointed out. Of course his fans have turned a blind eye to this and readily forgive him too. 😅
Well said @Ms Puddle. It’s obvious that the attraction was mutual and it may explain Terry’s guilt when Susanna suffered such grave injuries after sacrificing her life for him. Had it been any other woman, I doubt Terry would have offered to live with her and be by her side for a lifetime. His decision to be with Susanna was made with such unnerving ease that he didn’t even bother discussing it with Candy. She didn’t even know about the accident as Terry had left her in the dark about such a major event. He didn’t even tell her when she arrived in New York. Instead, Candy found out about this whole mess from random people gossiping about it in the foyer of the theater. That’s so messed up.
Sigh… I completely agree with you, @Lynn. If it had been another coworker, say a man or an old lady, Terry undoubtedly would have taken a different path.
Yes the whole situation was a mess that neither Terry nor Candy was willing to quarrell over it.
I admire Candy for taking the initiative to leave Terry. Unlike her childhood friend Annie, Candy had a proper respect for herself. She would be devastated for a while but should be able to move on in her life without Terry. No wonder many Terry fans like Annie’s letter to Candy. I think Nagita sensei used Annie to represent them. 😉
For Terry, the fact that he did not even protest against Candy’s decision only proved that he had chosen the actress already.
Thank you for your feedback @Ms Puddle. The points you have mentioned are valid and I agree with all of them. It doesn’t really matter what fans believe but what is in the book itself.
Based on this book, Susanna appears to be the only woman Terry treats with respect. He’s such a gentleman with her. Never had he ever been so cordial and respectful with other women, not even with his own mother and Candy. Susanna had been singled out by Terry and he always treated her as someone very important to him. You have provided an excellent point that Susanna’s beauty as well as her education and talent may have contributed to Terry’s tender feelings and respect for her.
On the other hand, it would have been really helpful if the author gave us a glimpse of what Albert thought about this. His entire position and support for Candy are so classy which add even more to his amazing character. Albert had so much dignity that I doubt he would ever say anything which would hurt Candy or trigger her own insecurity surrounding Terry and Susanna. Even if Albert had any suspicion about the alleged affair between those two thespians, he would never speak of this to Candy but keep quiet about it.
Candy kept on trying to convince herself that there was nothing going on between Terry and Susanna but as time went by, she gradually came to accept that Terry chose Susanna and not her. It must have been difficult for her to admit this but perhaps her growing attraction for Albert and the fact that he reciprocated to this enhanced her self-confidence but also her self-knowledge that there was more to Terry and Susanna’s bond than originally fathomed. This is probably why she didn’t even bother discussing this issue with Annie because she was completely clueless about this whole situation and the ramifications ensued.
Interesting thoughts, @Gabriella. I also would be curious to know what Albert had been thinking all this time.
To me, it made sense Terry was attracted to the beautiful talented actress. She was practically the female version of Terry — a young, talented and attractive thespian. The rumours about them were not entirely groundless.
More importantly, Terry had already said goodbye to Candy when he left London. He walked around the campus to bid farewell to his youth and love. The note he had left Candy proved that he had no intention to keep in touch with her.
You may be right about that @Ms Puddle.
Terry had decided to put a lid on that relationship and that’s the reason why he made no effort to get in touch with Candy when he left for the USA. He could have easily left his address when he visited Ms Pony and Sister Lane but he didn’t. As for that T.G. letter, it’s so short and vague that it could mean anything. It proves nothing though and that’s for sure.
Well said @Gabriella. It’s a pity that some fans invest too much hope on that mere scrap of paper which could be interpreted in thousands of ways.
I’ll add that Terry had rejected Candy more than once and the ultimate rejection was when he had never tried to get in touch with her when he was fired from his job. He could have contacted her to appease her concerns or try to make amends with her. Instead, he returned to Susanna and thus choosing her over Candy for a second time.
Arguably, Candy was affected by Terry’s decision to return to Susanna and this made her realize that his relationship with Susanna is far more serious than originally fathomed.
Good point, @Anita! (I saw this comment in the pending queue and approved it.) I have not thought of that, but it’s so true that after Terry had sobered up and decided to leave Rockstown, he could have gone to Candy’s side. Instead, he remembered Susanna’s sacrifice and returned to her side. Let’s give him the credit he deserved — he had indeed kept his promise to her till the end.
Hi @Gabriella,
I tried sending you a respond to your comment but it didn’t go through because of a typo of mine when typing out my name. I won’t repeat my entire response but only add that I agree with you and that some fans invest too much hope and significance over a very brief note which could be interpreted in so many ways.
No worries, Anita. I have received both your responses. You absolutely nailed it when specifying that Terry had chosen Susanna not once but twice over Candy. Not even die-hard fans can deny that Terry made those decisions and via his own initiative.
Thanks for letting me know @Gabriella.
You’re welcome. Sometimes the message doesn’t come through or it delays a bit. It’s happened to me too.
Well said, @Gabriella! Terry had put a lid on that relationship when he left the school campus because he made no attempt to contact Candy again, unless that brief note about him being unchanged was sent to St. Paul about a year and a half after May Festival (which I think is plausible).
It doesn’t really make any difference when that note was sent because it has no date or any reference which could navigate the reader. It could have been written when Terry was kicked out of his job due to his rubbish performance and indulging himself into self-pity.
The bottom line is that note reveals someone who is ashamed and in an awkward state trying desperately to remained in the sidelines. Whoever wrote that scrap-note didn’t even bother signing it with a proper name. It’s as if there’s an attempt to conceal the identity to others and that denotes someone who is devoid of confidence and self-worth but infested with loads of shame and embarrassment.
This makes me doubt that Terry had written that letter when the war broke out because he was at the apogee of his career and had no reason to feel ashamed at all. On the contrary, this was a character who had no qualms in signing his name and stating it in full and with pride. That scrap-note, however, reveals someone who is down in the dumps and desperately cryptic.
Very interesting thoughts, @Gabriella. 👏 However, I don’t see embarrassment or shame in this brief letter. 😅 Rather, it’s dull or lack of feelings. IMHO, it’s indeed strange Terry didn’t even sign with his name, but that doesn’t necessarily mean he felt awkward or embarrassed. 🤔
…to remain in the sidelines. (typo)
Hello @Ms Puddle and @Gabriella,
Both of your interpretations are possible because (as @Gabriella has already pointed out) that letter is just too vague and short. It’s more of a note than a letter, anyway.
IMO, that letter (or note) seems to have been written after and not before Susanna’s tragic accident. Prior to her accident which apparently had a massive impact on Terry’s psychological well-being and emotional stability (both of which were already wobbly to begin with), Terry postured himself as a brazen and audacious guy who was overwhelmed with confidence ready to fend for himself without his father’s money and power. He managed to achieve this via his talent in acting but Susanna’s sacrifice tore his life asunder making him put aside everything and everyone else, including Candy. Apparently, having to live with a person who was a constant reminder of that tragic accident was a blow that Terry couldn’t sustain, at least not his mental and psychological state.
As for Albert, his character is created as a much stronger one by Keiko Nagita. Even though he had suffered the loss of his parents and his dearly beloved sister, he still managed to maintain his resolve and grow even stronger and more mature despite his innumerable trials and tribulations. Albert is a confident guy but not arrogant or conceited. He knows his boundaries and he’s got the self-awareness to also know the weak aspects of his characters as well as the strong aspects.
The strongest character of all all-Terry and Albert put together-is Candy. Even though she’s not a privileged rich male like Terry and Albert, she always manages to overcome serious impediments in her life through dignity, patience and perseverance. She never feels sorry fr herself and that’s so commendable of her.
Hi @Anita, I feel that Terry won’t be writing any letter to Candy some time after the accident. His mind was in turmoil, as you have brilliantly described, which I utterly agree. 👏👍
Remember he did mention an unnamed event in the beginning of this letter? In your timeline which event could he allude to? Their breakup? 🤔
Well said about Albert and Candy! 🤗 In the old novel Candy did write a letter to her parents (whom she had never met), but this had been removed in CCFS. It seems Nagita sensei wants her Candy to be as independent as possible. The only time she directly mentioned her birth parents was in her letter to Albert, and that was to thank them for abandoning her at Pony’s Home such that she could meet him. To me, this is a love declaration, no less.
That’s a very interesting comment, Anita. Far too many fans believe that Terry’s psychological breakdown was due to breaking up with Candy without considering other factors which are far more important.
When Terry had left for the USA, he had already broken up with Candy but he was alright with it and moved on with his life to thrive as a budding thespian.
Yet, his guilt following Susanna’s accident consumed him, hence, leveling him to the ground. Who could blame him? Imagine knowing that you’re responsible for someone losing his/her life or becoming a paraplegic in order to save your life? It’s so messed up and it’s far worse than any break up with a boyfriend or girlfriend. Besides, people break up all the time and find someone else after a while. That’s how life works. If you’re paraplegic or someone became paraplegic in order to save you, then that’s far too difficult-if not impossible-to overcome.
In turn, Albert never suffered from such guilt. He may have wanted to make up for all the trouble he had caused to George and the Ardlay elders but that could never amount to the intense guilt which kept gnawing on Terry’s conscience. I wonder if Albert ever felt any guilt for his mother’s death, however. His father seemed to avoid him and perhaps this was because he had somewhat associated the death of his wife to the birth of his son. This is just a thought of mine though. What matters is that Albert’s conscience had never been riddled or buffeted with guilt or shame. Instead, he was raised to become the head of such an illustrious and affluent family such as the Ardlays. Albert may have been pressured to study and work very hard but he was also deeply respected and taken care of by all the prominent members of the Ardlay family.
I agree with you, @Lynn.
As you said, Terry had obviously moved on after settling down in New York, leaving everything behind, including his brief relationship with Candy.
The note he had left in his dormitory room for Candy said it all. He left her with his best wishes and nothing more. Not even a promise to meet up again.
Interesting thoughts about Albert. 👍 I also wonder if his late father had avoided him intentionally. Yet I guess Albert had been too young to know.
Hello @Ms Puddle, @Gabriella and @Lynn,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and I agree with all your points, most of which are heavily backed by textual evidence.
I also find @Lynn’s comment about Albert very intriguing. There is a slight hint from the novel that Albert’s father avoided his own son and hurled himself into intense work following the death of his wife. It seems that he had loved her dearly and her loss left a gaping wound in its wake.
It’s even more interesting that Albert’s father decided to take care of George and treat him like his own son, if not even better. George had the golden opportunity to receive stellar education by attending university and then embarking on postgraduate studies in economics and finance. George could have easily been Albert’s older brother and he sure was an excellent protector and mentor for him. It’s awesome that Albert grew to become a hard-working and academically-educated adult much akin to George’s high quality standards.
If Albert’s parents and sister were alive, they would have been so proud of their son and especially proud of George for his excellent work in providing support and guidance to Albert.
Very interesting thoughts about Georges, @Anita! 👏 I just want to add that I have the impression that W. C. Ardlay brought Georges home before the birth of his own biological son. I could be wrong, but it’s highly likely Georges was a minor when W.C.Ardlay took the lad to America with him. In Japanese the term is 引き取る, which could mean “take custody of”, “take possession of”, “take care of”, etc. In my imagination, Georges might be around the age of Rosemary so W.C.Ardlay could treat him like his own son.
I don’t think his letter is devoid of emotion, Ms Puddle. This debilitating psychological experience rendered Terry a broken man who is despondent but not unemotional or apathetic. Terry always had a proclivity to melancholy and depression, therefore, it wouldn’t take much to eventually push him off the edge.
Albert, on the other hand, emerged stronger than ever before from his amnesiac experience and he has a lot to thank Candy for as well as his own personal integrity. In terms of character, Albert is definitely stronger than Terry but it ought to be specified that both men’s experiences from their childhood to adulthood had been completely different.
It’s alright, @Gabriella. Let’s agree to disagree? 😉 In Terry’s brief letter, he used some sort of word play, do you know? He began the letter with a question that literally means “You haven’t changed, right?”
This often translates to “How are you (doing)?” or any greeting along this line, like “What’s up?” or “What’s new?”.
Near the end of the letter it’s like he answered that question himself, saying that he hadn’t changed.
Agree with you about Albert being stronger, and yet, as you said, their experiences in their childhood had been completely different. One was the sole heir to a family business empire and the other the illegitimate child, being despised by his stepmother and likely his step-siblings.
Thanks @Ms Puddle. Isn’t it interesting that the reader gets no information about any interaction between Albert and his father but there’s some significant information surrounding the quasi father-son relationship between Albert’s father and George?
Yes indeed, @Lynn. Interestingly, Albert wasn’t jealous of Georges at all. On the contrary he trusted his loyal assistant and regarded him with gratitude and respect.
@Lynn: You may be right about the dysfunctional relationship between Albert and his father. Maybe his decision to take care of George was a product of his guilty conscience for having neglected his biological son. Even though Albert was surrounded by so much material wealth, he was ‘impoverished’ when it came to his father’s love. Needless to mention that Albert would have been completely deprived of affection had it not been for his sister.
Well said, @Sarah, except that I personally think W.C.Ardlay’s decision to take care of the street kid might have happened before the birth of his own son. Just my two cents, of course. 😅
That is interesting information. Thank you for sharing, Ms Puddle.
Hola Ms puddle
Estoy de acuerdo respecto a lo que mencionas respecto al Memorial de stair y referente a los motivos que tuvo Archie al irse a estudiar a otra ciudad. También concuerdo contigo respecto al personaje de Annie 🤣 siempre me cayó muy mal(siempre fue una egoísta) pero amaba a archie eso no hay dudas. También concuerdo contigo respecto a que archie era un gran observador y sabía que Candy ya tenía sentimientos por Albert y quizás por eso tomo la.decicion de irse y dejar a Annie. Concuerdo que el mensaje de esta historia es el de ” cerrar ciclos” y la distancia que puso Archie entre candy y annie fue para dejar ir ese amor que sentía por ella y por otro lado pudo apreciar el.amor de Annie que siempre le profesó. Así que ese viaje fue para decidir lo que iba hacer de su vida y se dio cuenta que Annie era su destino.
Gracias Ms puddle como siempre excelentes análisis.
Hola Gaby W Andrew, muchas gracias por leer!
So glad you like my drawing (I saw your comment on my Facebook page) and agree with my analysis. Yes indeed Archie moved so far away so that he could clear his head and decide what he should do with Annie. Even though I don’t like this girl I sincerely she had matured enough to be worthy of Archie. 🙂
How are you, Ms Puddle? Hope my message finds you well and safe from COVID-19.
I was delighted to receive notification regarding your new article. Apart from your analysis of Keiko Nagita’s novel which is always credible and based on textual evidence, your fanart is just as highly commendable.
There ways in which you never stoop low in making deceiving claims and sloppy assumptions about the novel is also reflected in the quality of your fanart which displays sensitivity, nuance and discernment. It’s not surprising that your blog is so successful and attracts a lot of active participation with intelligent commentary.
I am so looking forward to more of your fanart and further insight into the novel.
Please take good care of yourself and thank you!🙏
Pardon my typo, please. I meant to say: “The ways in which..”
Thank you.
Thank you very much for your highly encouraging feedback @Leda. You’re making me blush 🙂 It’s indeed my honour various intelligent people have taken their time to leave brilliant comments or analyses on my posts, for that I’m truly grateful. My blog wouldn’t be the same without you all!
Same best wishes to you too! Take care 🙂
I’ve wanted to ask you about a linguistic detail concerning the original novel (the 2010 one). How is it stated exactly in Japanese when Candy replies to Albert about her happiness in her correspondence to him in the Epilogue? In all the official translations printed so far, Candy appears to say the following (more or less): “Yes, Albert, my happiness is now..” or “..here lies my happiness..” or “..my happiness is here in now..”. Semantically, Candy seems to be suggesting that she is happy in the present or she is happy in her present moment. More or less, it’s similar in meaning albeit with very minute differences. Is this how it’s stated in the Japanese language?
I’ll also kindly request if you could provide information on how this sentence is iterated in the old novel, if you have access to it and if this sentence exists in the old novel.
Thank you very much and I hope I’m not burdening your time with my questions.
Hi @Leda I’ve written a post on this in my lost in translation series. Let me find it and get back to you 🤗
I don’t think this is in the old novel at all, is it? There’s no return of the diary as far as I know 😅
@Leda, FYI, this is my post:
http://mspuddleshaven.com/2018/09/10/lost-in-translation-part-7/
Thank you for adding the link to your post. I didn’t know that you had already provided an extensive explanation to Candy’s sentence.
Having read your article about that sentence, would it be possible to translate it English as such:
“Yes, Albert, I am in a happy state..” or “..I am in a state/condition of happiness..”?
I have to admit it sounds rather awkward in English. Perhaps, this is the reason why a verbatim translation in a Western language wasn’t viable.
Hi @Leda, unfortunately it does sound odd in English, but you got the idea. 👍👏 Candy meant “the present” rather than “the present moment” because the Japanese word for “happiness” is supposed to be long-lasting (not unlike the “happy ever after” kind of happiness).
You have made your point perfectly clear and thank you very much for the linguistic and translation clarifications. Towards the end of Section 3 and throughout the Epilogue, Candy appears to be very upbeat and fraught with hope and bliss. A noticeable transformation in Candy’s mood is the transition from Candy’s letter to Eleanor Baker to her farewell (unsent) letter to Terry. In her letter to Eleanor Baker, Candy has still retained some residual elements of bitterness and melancholy. However, in her unsent letter to Terry, Candy seems to have shed all that sorrow and accepts the fact that Terry had chosen Susanna over her. She’s no longer resentful about it and it’s evident that Albert is on her mind because she can’t stop talking about him even in her letter which was purported for Terry. Candy has found her happiness and it’s not in the past with Terry but in her present time with her Anohito and that beloved man of hers is most possibly Albert.
Can’t agree with you more, @Leda!
I’m glad I have answered your question about that very important sentence in the Epilogue. 🤗
Your explanation set the record straight. Thank you so much for offering the verbatim translation. Good to know how it’s stated exactly in the original novel.
Thank you @Leda. Please feel free to read the rest of Lost in translation series. 🤗
Will do! Thanks!
Hi @Ms Puddle!
Thanks for adding my comment in your blog. I’m glad to be of help.
As for your drawing of Archie, you have done a superb job in portraying his expression of grief over the loss of his dear brother, Stear. In his letter to Candy, Archie had expressed his utmost respect for Stear and how he would have surely been best friends if they weren’t brothers. I find this comment of his to be poignant and heartfelt. Nagita gave so much depth to Archie’s character and I’m glad she did because he had been dismissed as a mere sidekick in the anime and he was reduced to a jealous rival in the manga. Nagita has definitely compensated for that by enriching his character in her novels-old and new.
Thanks again for your blog and amazing drawings.
Thank you very much, @Sarah, for your encouraging feedback! Thanks again for letting me quote your comment 🤗
I can’t agree with you more about Archie’s character being reduced to a mere sidekick in the anime (the same with Stear), but I like the Cornwell brothers much more in the manga. Of course, his character was undoubtedly enriched in CCFS, and I also think his letter to Candy about his late brother Stear was very touching!
Yeah, Archie was such a clown in the anime. Needless to mention that ridiculous hairdo. LoL
He was far more handsome in the manga but he was a bit of an alter-ego to Terry. He also appeared so selfish and narcissistic (very much like Terry). It goes beyond saying that in the novel Archie gains a lot in terms of character development and significance.
It’s interesting that Nagita improved and enhanced Archie’s character to such a considerable degree, whilst she not only retained Terry’s violent and abusive behavior against women but she made him even more toxic in the novel by intensifying his physical assault against Candy.
You’re absolutely right, Sarah. I also found it odd that the author didn’t provide any further character development to Terry; instead, he’s a mere stock and stagnant character in Section 3 of the novel and he’s gone in the Epilogue. He’s mentioned once thanks to Albert when handing over the diary to Candy during their day trip to Lakewood. After leaving for the United States, the reader stops getting any insight into Terry’s thoughts and feelings. Yet, even in Section 2, the reader still gets less insight into his character than viewers do in the anime and the manga.
That may have been Nagita’s intention all along. By cutting off all literary ties with his mindset and character development following his departure from St Paul’s, Terry is rendered as a memory of a distant adolescent past further on into the story. The exact opposite occurs with Albert, however, as his character becomes much more active and interesting in Section 3 and the Epilogue, apparently. He still retains that veil of mystery surrounding his complex character but we all know that’s Albert’s appeal.😉
I can’t agree with you two more, @Sarah and @Myra. In addition to what you said, there must be a reason why Nagita sensei chose to enhance both Albert and Archie but not Terry. Overall, the focus is on the Ardlays in sections 1 and 3. Terry is in the spotlight for less than a year’s time in the story.
Yes @Sarah I also think Archie is an alter-ego to Terry. They both look pretty, having fine, shoulder-length hair. Yet Archie is more refined, like a gentleman, and compliant while Terry is rebellious or a troublemaker.
There was nothing rebellious about Terry. He was neither an activist nor an independent thinker. Instead, he was a filthy-rich kid wasting his father’s money while he was bored to death at that extreme Christian school. Even Terry was self-effacing enough to admit that he was never a rebel but a lazy brat killing time at some useless boarding school thanks to his father’s donations to that meaningless and severely hypocritical institution. Being contentious, rude and arrogant shouldn’t be conflated with being rebellious.
Anyway, as time went by, Terry grew to become a conservative adult who worked very hard to become a self-sufficient albeit financially struggling theater actor in New York. If there is anything “rebellious” about him, it’s his decision to toss his father’s wealth and name aside and pursue his own future and fending for his own self by relying on his skills and personal strength.
Actually, there is a character in the CCFS who could be regarded as a rebel and that is Stear. What made him even more laudable was that he was a silent rebel who focused on actions and not on cheap talk. Another silent rebel is also George who had risked his own job and livelihood in order to help Candy and Albert.
Well said, @Sarah! In that case, in the story different characters had their own rebellious actions, the obvious one is Candy herself. She left St. Paul’s of her own accord and decided to take care of amnesiac Albert in secret, not informing her adoptive father (Georges) at all.
Would you consider George to be her adoptive father given the fact that he’s also single? Apparently, he may appear more as a father-figure to both Candy and Albert since he’s much older than Albert (who is only a decade older than Candy and thus could never be a father-figure to her anyway for both legal and biological reasons), yet, he’s really got no legal authority over her.
Candy explains in her letter to George in Section 3 of the novel that it was his calm and venerable demeanor which convinced her to study at St Paul’s.
If he had been condescending or authoritarian, Candy probably would have resisted and not eventually go to London to study at that school.
Sorry @Sarah for the confusion. I was too lazy to type. 😅 I meant Candy intentionally avoided writing to her adoptive father for a very long time while cohabiting with her vagabond friend. Georges had always been the middleman. He passed her letters to his boss and replied to her right?
She had been keeping this a secret, and Georges had not been keeping in touch with her either. That’s why he couldn’t locate the young heir.
Candy mentioned something similar in her letter to Georges.
No worries, Ms Puddle.
I was wondering what you meant when you referred to George as the adoptive father. LOL
George was definitely the middle-man as well as Albert’s caseworker. However, his role obviously became restricted when Albert took flight to Africa unbeknownst to George and the Ardlay elders.
It goes to show how Candy’s position in the Ardlay family meant nothing because when Albert vanished, the Ardlays couldn’t care less about Candy’s whereabouts. On the contrary, they would be delighted never to see her again.
Arguably, George would try to maintain some form of contact with her but without Albert’s presence and influence, his role is severely limited.
Good point, @Sarah! Madam Elroy and the Lagans couldn’t care less about Candy’s well-being or whereabouts. Archie was fully aware but of course he had kept his mouth shut all this time.
You’re right. It was probably inappropriate if Georges took the initiative to contact Candy without a direct order from his boss. He really could not do much. 😅
You’re absolutely right @Sarah. Without Albert, even George couldn’t do much to provide any form of assistance to Candy. He had contacted her in order to provide financial assistance for her studies to become a nurse but that was it. George never got into touch with her again ever since Albert went to Kenya. Presumably, George found out about Candy’s return to the United States via the nuns at St Paul’s but it’s highly unlikely that he knew the details since Albert was away and had severed all contacts with his family and friends back home.
I agree with you, @Myra. In addition, it was highly unlikely Georges would read her personal diary either. Perhaps he thought he could track down his young boss soon enough.
This depiction of Archie is stunning. Great job, Ms Puddle!
Please provide more fanart of the other characters of the CCFS. Your eye for detail is indisputable.
And thank you very much for including my comment in your new post. That’s so nice of you!
Thank you so much, @Myra! 😘 Yes I do plan to draw another character after this, but nothing is concrete as of now.
Thank you for giving your permission to quote your comment 🤗
Don’t mention it. You didn’t even have to ask me but I know you will because you’re such a polite and considerate person. Thank you again!😊
Thanks for your kind words, @Myra! I’ll always ask, just in case 🙂
Ms Puddle, it’s a beautiful fanart!! I love it, and think you did a great job!. As per you insights on the memorial, I do believe it took place after the armistice was signed at the end of 1918, if I’ not mistaken, the Old novel said the timing also coincided with (or around) Stear’s one year death anniversary.
I myself don’t dislike Annie, but I do believe in what you say, that Archie always had difficulties in letting go of Candy, we see him longing for her while Anthony was alive, and then again when Terry was around… funnily enough (at least in the manga) I don’t see the same attitude towards amnesiac Albert, maybe he thought Candy was still in love with Terry, but for sure he must have noticed that Albert felt something more than just friendship for her, at the end he knew how to recognize the obvious sings 😉
And I do think him going to University, and seeing his Uncle relationship with Candy evolve, was what made him (maybe even miss and) go back to Annie to formalize their relationship.
Thank you for sharing! I love your blog!
Thank you @AmyGiz for your kind words and encouragement! 🤗 😘
The chronology in CCFS section 3 is quite different from that in the old novel, but as I said, I won’t insist the memorial took place before the war was over. 😉 I only know for sure Candy’s letter to Archie at Massachusetts was written after the memorial 🙂
I agree with you that Archie had seemingly never regarded Albert as a rival… Perhaps until he had disappeared? Archie promised Candy he and the others would help her look for her roommate and urged her not to worry too much. I wonder if Archie sensed something already?
Not sure what made Archie begin to see Annie differently, but Candy’s letter to him might have helped. She mentioned Albert a lot in this letter too. 😉
Hello again and thank you for replying to my comment!… It is very, I don’t know if call it funny, cute or interesting, to me, that all of Candy’s letters to his male close friends, ex-loves or acquaintances mention Albert A LOT!…
Like you said, there is Candy’s letter to Archie, then her letter to Stear after she knows of Annie’s engagement, then we have George’s letter and also Dr. Martin’s… and lastly, we have her letters to Anthony and to Terry. They are full of Albert, it’s like if Candy couldn’t restrain herself.
So maybe Archie read her interest between the lines, and I’m wondering also if he saw Albert’s interest for Candy when they were roommates. Then once he appears as Uncle William and he could somehow sense Candy’s interest for his handsome uncle, what else could he really do? that was it!.
I would like to think that after this (or maybe before), he let himself to be more attached to Annie, after all she loved him, was always by his side and I believe he also cared for her somehow, even if Candy was his platonic love.
Just my 2 cents 🙂
Hello @Ms Puddle and @AmyGiz,
I think you’re both making valid points about Candy and Albert. During their cohabitation at the Magnolia, it seems that their relationship was going to the next level which leans more to the romantic and less to the mere friendship side. Their intimate feelings for each other didn’t happen overnight or in a few days but their complex relationship took time, patience and lots of love to develop into that very special bond which always kept them together despite the various troubles and financial difficulties they had faced. Both of them so lovingly expressed in their letters to each other how they longed for those days when they lived together even when they had very little money in their pockets. It goes to show how happy they were to be with one another and how they desired to be together again.
IMO, Archie had probably suspected that something was going on between Candy and Albert. He’s a smart guy and such a relationship between Candy and Albert wouldn’t go unnoticed.
Well said, @Michelle! I can’t agree with you more. 🤗 The fact that they both remembered those days with nostalgia speaks volumes of how compatible they were as a couple. Some newly weds could not stand each other after living together for a few months, but Candy and Albert grew even closer as good friends, so much so that he did not want to leave her side when he could have told her the truth.
If a sensitive guy like Archie knew about this, he would have figured out the reason why his young uncle would rather keep his recovery a secret from his roommate.
Agreed. Those letters exchanged between Candy and Albert gradually reveal the yearning they feel for being with each other again. Those who can’t notice that are desperately trying to deny the obvious.
Exactly! Even the editors and translators of this novel agree that the relationship between Candy and Albert had proceeded to a more intimate level which transcends the boundaries of simplistic friendship.
That’s right, @Lynn. I’m glad that the editors and translators are objective enough to point out the obvious 🙂
Exactly, @Michelle. I can hardly believe that some people thought placing Terry’s brief letter after these letters between Candy and Albert would make a significant difference.
It’s not even placed between their letters but at the end of the third section of the novel. The Epilogue belongs to Candy and Albert, predominantly, and the “protagonist” is the deepening of their already very significant and meaningful relationship. If those fans were expecting that brief piece of paper to function as some form of “bombshell” which would “detonate” some incredible revelation, they would sure be disappointed to discover that it turned out to be a dud instead.
You nailed it, @Michelle. I can’t agree with you more. To me, this brief letter is relatively weak as supporting evidence that Candy would reunite with Terry… not to mention she might have already got married when she found out about Susanna’s premature death.
By the time Candy had found out about Susanna’s demise, she was already well within that stage in her adult life where she was clearly and profoundly in love with Albert. Throughout Section 3 of the novel and culminating with the letters in the Epilogue, Candy’s feelings for Albert had been proceeding into an entirely different level which had nothing to do with fraternal bond or friendship. She constantly talked about Albert in almost all her letters to her friends and acquaintances-she couldn’t stop talking about Albert even in her very personal letter to Terry.
In Section 3, Candy already made it crystal clear that her feelings for Albert were neither fraternal nor based on friendship. She explained that Albert is someone she held most dear to her because he was so special to her. She even felt angst about whether Albert felt the same about her which caused her so much frustration for not knowing how he felt as he would avoid telling her.
In the Epilogue, Candy described her body as floating in the air after Albert’s confession as POTH. She couldn’t even sleep at night and she was constantly so excited and upbeat. She always cried when she read Albert’s letters and she became even more emotional the more he opened up to her. She said that she cherished the ways in which he was becoming closer and closer to her. Candy was also completely mesmerized by Albert’s singing voice as he was driving to Lakewood and Candy was elated that she had Albert all to herself.
Let’s face it.. There is no way a woman would ever express herself in such a manner unless she was head-over-heels in love. This is not a way a woman would ever talk about her father, brother or buddy. This is a way a woman talks about her lover or a prospective lover.
My sentiments exactly, @Michelle. I have nothing more to add except that Candy was likely married by then, residing in the Chicago mansion with Albert, as suggested in her letter to Vincent Brown.
That’s why I always think that Anohito’s identity can’t be more obvious. 😉
Yes @AmyGiz I agree with you. The first time I read section 3 for CCFS I couldn’t help smiling. Candy simply could not get Albert out of her mind LOL. 😅
I suspect Archie could sense her attachments after Albert had disappeared. Archie wrote to her that he and the others were helping and urged Candy not to worry too much.
Perhaps when Archie found out the true identity of his uncle, he also discovered the mutual attraction? I don’t know. Just guessing 😉
Hello Ms Puddle,
I wouldn’t have imagined that this is your first attempt at illustrating Archie. Your fan-art is amazing!
Thanks for sharing.👍
I agree with you @Anita. I wouldn’t have thought it was Ms Puddle’s first attempt either.
I’ll second that!
Thank you for your encouraging feedback, @Anita, @Sarah and @Michelle! 🤗🤗🤗
You’re welcome, Ms Puddle!
If I correctly recall, you had mentioned drawing Archie at some point but you wanted the sufficient time to work on the ways in which his character will be reflected.
I admire that about you. You never rush into making loose generalizations or crafting low quality material. Instead, you take the time required for you to produce work of respectable quality. Kudos to you for that.👍
Good memory, @Anita! I’m amazed you remember that a while ago I mentioned drawing Archie. As I said, I was not satisfied with the result, so I trashed it and ended up sketching a few lol. I finally decided to polish this one, and I’m more than glad (and relieved) that this new drawing is well received 😊😍
Thank you very much for encouraging words, Anita! 🤗