The fires

Did you get the sense that Gillian was responsible for all of the fires, or maybe it was another student? I don't think the book was supposed to be conclusive, but I'm curious if you ferreted out more clues than I did.

Cassoulet

From the ever-trusty Wikipedia: "Cassoulet is a rich, slow-cooked bean stew or casserole originating in the south of France, containing meat (typically pork sausages, pork, goose, duck and sometimes mutton), pork skin (couennes) and white haricot beans." Sounds very rich, very '70s, and very suitable for hiding mind-altering drugs ...

Philomela

I haven't read Ovid's "Metamorphoses" but assumed it was no coincidence that Andre nicknamed Gillian Philomela when their relationship eventually ran such a strong parallel to the story.

Beastly behavior

"We are beasts, and this is our consolation."
What is this supposed to mean? Why would Dorcas be prized as some sort of outrageous feminist when for her sexual gratification -- or profit? -- or art? -- she would be party to drugging and photographing young women?

A triangle

"If you love a married man you exist in a special, secret, undeclared relationship with his wife."
I thought it wa interesting that though Gillian's love interest was in Andre Harrow, the book opens with her recalling Dorcas' art, with her following Dorcas to the post office, that once she consummates her relationship with Andre, Dorcas seems to take over.

So '70s

What did setting "Beasts" in 1975 do for the story? I think it added a lot of interesting elements about feminism and sexuality. I think about the impact of Gillian's parents' divorce had on her psyche, about continued perceptions of virginity and good/bad girls, of environments where a professor can bed his student while dismissing her "schoolgirl poetry." In short I guess I think of trying to set this story in modern times, and I fail. It had to be this era to work. What did you think?

Next pick

"Hadji Murad" by Leo Tolstoy