SEA OF LOST LOVE by Santa Montefiore

PART 1

REFLECT

I really like the character of Celestria Montague. She was so brave to search what was really the reason behind her father’s suicide. Her quest took her to Italy’s rugged and beautiful Puglia, and into the dark, cool cloister of the Convento di Santa Maria del Mare. Here Celestria met an enigmatic stranger and confronted unwelcome truths abut her family and herself. This stranger was Hamish McCloud who later became her lover. It was very surprising to know that Celestria‘s father was not really dead or shall I say he did not really committed suicide. He was just hiding from them because he was bad. He was doing illegal works, had more than one identity and family, and worst of all he had stolen his wife’s money. Very far different from what they know about him. Robert Montague was very kind, happy and rich person. He was almost perfect but sad to say he was not perfect. Knowing these unexpected truths, I felt very sad because someone you love betrayed you. It was very painful to be betrayed by someone most especially when you love the person who betrayed you. Just like Robert Montague who betrayed his family. But in the end I think Santa Montefiore, the author, made the ending very nice. Though Celestria’s father didn’t come back and now have another new family, at least Celestria found her true love in the name of Hamish McCloud.

CONNECT

I have a classmate in my third year high school that had experience this situation. I will not mention her name but as you can she was a girl. She was also betrayed by her father. When she was nine years old her father left them because of work. Many years had pass but then her father did not appear or even communicate them. And because of her father’s lost she decided to find her father. So she searched her father and found out that her father had already a new family. Her mother already knows that her father left them because in the first place her father didn’t love her mother. Just like in the story. Maybe if I were in that kind of situation, I am very thankful for my family because they make sure I will not be in that situation. I can say that I am blessed for having my family like them. We love each other. Another connection I had with this story is that my cousin who fell in love with a man who was older than her. Just like Celestria who also fell in love with Hamish who is fifteen years older than her. We can’t really dictate or even control our feelings. Love is accepting everything about him/her.

QUESTION

I really wonder why Robert Montague didn’t tell the truth. Why he can’t settle himself with one wife? Does his family important to him? Does he love them? I also couldn’t figure out why Celestria Montague fell in love with Hamish McCloud who is fifteen years older than her? Why she chooses Hamish over Aidan? Aidan was a rich, handsome and gentleman. Another question in my mind is that Robert Montague seems to have been loved by nearly everyone with whom he came into contact. Men and women alike adored him. So why Celestria’s grandfather Robert W. Bancroft II never trusted him?

PREDICT

I think the reason why Robert Montague didn’t tell the truth because he was afraid that his family would hate him. And the reason why he can’t settle himself with one wife maybe because he doesn’t really loves his wife. If he really loves his wife he will not do stupid acts because he doesn’t want his wife to be hurt. I think maybe his family is important to him because of his children. I think he loves them but not as much as he loves himself. He was selfish for leaving his family in miserable situation. As for Celestria falling in love with Hamish, I think love is just so powerful. Despite of their age gap, she still loves him unconditionally. That’s why though Aidan was almost perfect husband, she chooses Hamish because she loves him. Love explains everything. I guess the reason why Celestria’s grandfather, Robert Montague, I think it was just his instincts. Instincts are 90% true.

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PART 2

My favorite part was when father Dalgliesh was standing with his hands in his pockets, looking out to sea, when a man sitting on thee sand caught his attention. He was waving to two dusky-skinned children who were playing down by the sea with their young mother in a red cotton dress. They waved back continuing their project. Father Dalgliesh walked closer. There was something strangely familiar about the man. The man looked up at the priest his eyes lingered on him for what festive a very long time. Suddenly the man raised his hat. Father Dalgliesh caught his breath for he had surely been recognized while he deliberated, the man stood a moment, gazing out to sea, lost in thought, that he crouched down and dragged his finger through the damp sand. He hesitated a moment, then turned to the priest, his eyes squinting in the sun. Father Dalgliesh watched in amazement as he got up. Taking the smaller child’s hand, he left the beach and wandered up the track, followed by the woman and the other child. He didn’t look back.

Father Dalgliesh watched them go with regret. Then his eyes turned back to the place where the man had written some thing in the sand. Something he clearly wanted father Dalgliesh to see. He wandered over, his stomach churning with the sense that he had missed an opportunity that would never come around again.

It was then that he noticed two words written in the damp sand: forgive me. Just as soon as he had finished reading it, a rogue wave surged up the beach washed the world away.

After Robert Montague, I think father Dalgliesh will going to chat it to Robert’s family. Robert’s family must know the truth so that they can forgive and forget. Their questions are already answered. They can now move on. And live their life happily. And as for Robert Montague, I think he will be a good husband and father to his family after doing stupid things I think he learned from his mistakes. So he will try his best to be a good man not only to his family but also to the people who loves him. And when his ready to face his family in Pendrift Hall, he will ask for forgiveness for doing that to them and for making their life miserable. I think his family will forgive him because they love him. If you love the person you will forgive him though he hurt you. If GOD can forgive, people must forgive too.