Nannie

[greer]

that's kind of a terrible thing for karen to say. i guess i need to read it in context, but it sounds to me like karen was just fishing for the answer that nannie gave her. i usually like karen though, and i can see myself doing the same thing as a kid.

[aln1982]

nothingtolose18 said:

I really liked Nannie, especially in the LS books. I remember in one book (not sure what one it was, though) when Karen says how she feels that she doesn't live her step-grandkids and adopted grandkid as much as her real grandkids, and Nannie told her how she loves all of her grandkids, and that they are all real to her. I thought that was sweet. Of course, I'm a sucker for sappiness.

I also really like Nannie a lot in the LS books. I think she’s usually pretty good to Karen and Andrew. I don’t care for her much in the BSC books but can see how she is a favorite of many people. I notice that I tend to have much different impressions of characters in the LS and BSC books.
Greer, from what I remember, Karen wasn't saying it to be mean but just saying that she was afraid Nannie didn't love her as much - insecurity coming out and understandable, I think. Not sure, though, as I don't remember the exact comment. And maybe that's just how I wanted to interpret it. ;D

[mckay]

Was that the same book as the one where David Michael tells Karen that stepparents/siblings/etc don't love each other as much as biological relatives do?

[nothingtolose18]

Hm, I think aln is right, I think it was just that she was insecure and was truly feeling a little left out. I'm not sure. And about the post above mine, hmm, I'm not quite sure. I think that may have been the one. Gosh, it's been ages since I read any of those LS books, and I don't have very many past the first few because I grew out of them.

[aln1982]

I was just thinking about Nannie teaching Karen to knit. This was really nice, I always thought, and it reminded me of how my grandma taught (or tried) to teach me to knit when I was about Karen's age. This brought back good memories of times spent with my grandma. Haven't had any of those for a while.....

[mckay]

I thought it was Granny who taught Karen how to knit...unless they both did and it was an oversight on the ghostwriters' parts.

[booboobrewer]

I don't know about Nannie, but Granny definitely taught her...

[aln1982]

^ Okay. I was thinking of Nannie helping Karen with the baby blanket for Ms Colman in Karen's Big Sister. I guess I'll change my thought to "it was nice of Granny to teach her and nice of Nannie to help her with it later." ;D

[GingerSnaps]

Such a small thing, but I like how Nannie and Watson are both really into gardening and work on the garden together.

[Penny Lane]

^Me too.

[Rie]

greer said:

What do you guys think of Nannie? I really like her in LS books--I think she and Karen have a really good relationship and she is perhaps the most understanding and gives the best advice to Karen out of all the adults. I just can't understand why she didn't help out the Thomases more after Patrick left. Thoughts on Nannie?

I really liked her in LS books too .

[tiff85]

I also like Nannie more in the bsls books. She was always there for the family and seemed like a cool grandma. Me and her would have a lot in common with the bowling and baking!

[otempora541]

Nannie seems... Like a plot device for lack of a better word. Unless she is needed, she is basically invisable when Kristy is not narrarating (and even in some of the Kristy books she doesn't have a speaking part.) She is such a 'character' but we rarely see her do anything. But I've never read the BSLS, so it might be how Kristy sees her, versus Karen.

[greer]

I think her role in the family and in general is much bigger in LS than in BSC. She has her own business and often seems like the most sensible adult in the whole Engle/Brewer stew.

[anzuhana]

I never had any problem with Nannie. Though I did find it strange that she never helped out when Patrick left. Even if she wasn't retired at the time, I'm sure she could've helped out by sending Elizabeth some money in the mail.