Sunday, June 19, 2016

Northern Rain...Nicole Clarkston

Available on Amazon 
Since this is Father's Day and a time for celebrating fathers, it is the perfect time to read 'the lost scene' from Nicole Clarkston's latest book, Northern Rain, due to release tomorrow, June 20th. When you read it, you will see why. It's delightful!

When Nicole Clarkston visited More Agreeably Engaged on February 2, 2016, she gave us a sneak peek of the beginning of Northern Rain. Now this wonderful book is finished and the eBook will be released tomorrow. (It is available for pre-order now.) For you, my dear readers, she is offering the book at a special introductory price of $1.99. That price is good until Wednesday when it goes to $3.99. I have read this book and I can tell you, it is awesome! You will not be disappointed. I'm ready to read it again! I didn't want to put it down. Guess I better save some of these comments for my review later! :) There is also a giveaway so two of you will have the chance to win it! 

Ms. Clarkston shares a little about her thoughts of Gaskell, relationships in Victorian times and her new book. Then we get the wonderful 'lost scene'. Thank you, Nicole Clarkson, and welcome back to More Agreeably Engaged.

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The reason we enjoy variations is because we have come to love the characters deeply, and in our hearts we begin to wonder how their story might have turned out if but one or two circumstances had played out differently. In Northern Rain, I wanted to experiment with the characters trying to strike up some sort of amicable relationship after John’s disastrous proposal and Margaret’s humiliating falsehood about Frederick. Thornton thinks highly of Mr Hale, and Margaret wishes for her father not to lose his friend after he has already lost his wife and son. There seems to be good enough incentive for both to learn to be in the same room together. Might matters settle better for Mr Hale? What might happen afterward…?

I think the relationships in Victorian times were fascinating. In some respects, events moved at a plodding pace compared to today’s society. In others, they could move with breathtaking dispatch. One of the things I truly respect is the expectation that if a man paid enough attention to a woman to cultivate any sort of interest, it was understood that he was serious. Courtship may have been a choreographed process- not at all like the relaxed dating style of our world- but once the nature of the relationship was declared, the couple moved quickly to marriage. It seems difficult in this society to cultivate a more platonic friendship, particularly when the parties in question do not harbor such comfortable feelings for one another. It was an enjoyable prospect to explore.

There are so many rich personalities in Gaskell’s work who are worth examining. Besides the relationship between John and Margaret, the family ties are absolutely remarkable. The most “functional” looking family at first appears to be the Hales, until one delves beneath the layers. Upon reflection, I think that the most profound respect is displayed between a Mrs Thornton and her son. The following is a scene which has long fascinated me- a depiction of life at Marlborough Mills in the months immediately following John and Margaret’s marriage. I am of the school which sees a softer side to Hannah Thornton. In Gaskell’s original work, Hannah speaks grudgingly of Margaret’s admirable traits. One gets the sense that she might have heartily approved of the penniless southern girl, had Margaret not broken her son’s heart. I tend to believe that once assured that her son was happy in his marriage to a woman who returned his affections equally, Hannah might come to truly appreciate her daughter-in-law.

Margaret is not of the same mold as many other women of Hannah’s acquaintance, and is not easily swayed by public opinion. Surely she would often find herself the subject of idle talk, and I like to fancy Hannah as someone who would have no patience for such vanity. It is amusing to think of Hannah acting as guardian over Margaret when she finds herself in a delicate condition. This scene does not appear in Northern Rain, but is intended to flow with that story. I hope you enjoy it ~ NC


The Lost Scene

“Mrs Hamper, Mrs Slickson, how do you do today?” Hannah Thornton received her guests with no small degree of surprise. It was not typical for either of them to call on her, and even more unusual that they should do so in tandem.
“Good morning, Mrs Thornton,” replied Dolores Hamper, primping a drooping frill from her hat as she took a seat.
Catherine Slickson smiled and nodded primly as she also seated herself. “We are quite well, thank you Mrs Thornton. We thought to ask after you and…” her face clouded slightly as she realized the awkwardness of what she was about to say, “Mrs Thornton.”
Hannah’s cheek twitched in mild, but almost invisible amusement. “We are well. I am afraid my daughter-in-law is unable to join us at present, but I shall convey your regards.”
Jane arrived presently with tea, and Hannah watched them with growing entertainment. Mrs Hamper’s eyes widened and she cast a knowing smirk to her companion as they took in the delicate rose-spray pattern from Margaret’s favourite set. It was all very surreptitious, but she could fairly imagine what would be said between them after they took their leave.
“How does Mrs Watson?” asked Mrs Slickson with all innocence.
“She is as well as she was yesterday, I expect,” Hannah commented impassively. “I believe you were also at her dinner party last evening?”
Mrs Hamper cleared her throat. “I believe you meant to ask after the new hospital, was that not right, Catherine?”
“Of course! Oh, do forgive me, Mrs Thornton, I quite forgot! I had heard,” she glanced nervously at her friend, “that your daughter-in-law has become quite invested in the project.”
“Indeed she has.”
The pair exchanged sly looks once more. “It seems a rather unladylike pursuit, do you not agree?”
“I do not. What can be more worthy of a woman’s efforts than caring for the sick?”
The pair blinked in shock, their tea cups clattering on their saucers. “I… suppose nothing at all,” replied Mrs Slickson.
“We only worried,” Mrs Hamper covered for her smoothly, “that the young Mrs Thornton might exhaust herself, that is all. She looked rather pale last evening, and we noticed that she left quite early. I do hope, Mrs Thornton, that she will not become one of the hospital’s first patients!”
Hannah’s mouth twitched. At last they had confessed their true curiosity! “My daughter-in-law’s health is quite sound, I assure you.”
“Oh, that is well, Mrs Tho-” Mrs Slickson’s uncomfortable enthusiasm was cut short by the slamming of a door from the outer hall. Hurried footsteps followed, and a moment later, John Thornton burst into his mother’s sitting room.
He took little notice of the two visitors beyond a curt nod of his head. Instead, his anxious gaze sought his mother, who was rolling her eyes and trying to refrain from snapping at him for his untimely interruption. “Margaret?” he gasped breathlessly.
Hannah set her jaw grimly and motioned toward the outer hall with her eyes. She rose and graciously excused herself. “Will you ladies pardon me for just a moment, please?”
John met his mother in the hall and scarcely waited for the sitting room door to thump to a close before he made his demand. “Where is Margaret?” he hissed under his breath.
“She is in her room, John, but you must not go to her now.”
“I saw Donaldson walking to the house! He never comes at this hour for hospital business. Is she ill?”
Hannah hesitated. “Not precisely, John.”
His towering figure froze in place. His face aglow, he shuddered in a choking laugh, a nearly silent cry of joy. “Can she be…? Is it possible, Mother?”
“You should be talking to Margaret about that, John!” she scoffed uneasily. It was not her place, after all, to be the one to convey such news to him. “Stay, John, I did not mean just now!” she called in alarm as he hurriedly started for the stairs. “You must leave her be for a little while longer. Go back to the mill!”
“The mill!” he objected. “While Margaret is… no, it is unthinkable! I must see her! She should not be alone-”
Gritting her teeth in a dogged scowl, she clutched his arm- just painfully enough to draw his full attention. “Dixon is with her, and I have guests!” she reminded him pointedly. “At least go back to your study, John!”
His expression vacant, his thoughts all focused on whatever was taking place upstairs without him, he nodded at last in compliance. At least from his own study, he would be able to hear the doctor’s departure and could go to his wife the sooner.
Hannah sighed in exasperation. There would be no possible way now to downplay Margaret’s indisposition to her guests. She returned to the sitting room, apparently interrupting a whispered conversation between the pair. She resumed her seat with as much poise as she could summon. “I apologize, ladies. My son had… something rather important to discuss with his wife.”
Mrs Slickson nodded sweetly. “Quite all right, Mrs Thornton. I do think young couples are so enchanting! They have been married only a month, is that not correct?”
“Three,” Hannah corrected her drily, her brow arched.
“Oh, yes, do forgive me.” Mrs Slickson sighed, almost in disappointment that today’s morsel of gossip would not be as juicy as she had momentarily hoped.
Mrs Hamper was trying to smother a meaningful smile, but failing utterly. “Well, Mrs Thornton, I am afraid we must be going. You said you might give your daughter-in-law our respects?”
“Naturally,” Hannah assured her. “It was good of you both to call.” They took their time about their departure, fumbling with shawls and teacups for an inordinately long while. It seemed likely that they hoped to cross paths with the doctor on their way out, but Donaldson had slipped away only moments earlier.
What they did see, and what properly shocked them both, was John Thornton rushing up the stairs and encountering his wife half-way. Mrs Thornton tried to usher her guests to the front door as though nothing at all were amiss, but she met with little success. The couple were blissfully unaware of the visitors’ presence, but Mrs Hamper and Mrs Slickson went away with sufficient intelligence to keep themselves and their friends amused for weeks.

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Dear Readers, didn't you just love this 'lost scene'? I know I did plus it was so perfect for this post to be today. We had actually planned it for Saturday but my internet was down. (Internet for our entire countryside was down. I didn't know how to behave!!!) Thankfully, it is back up and the post is even better for today. I'm glad things worked out as they did. :) 

Thank you for visiting my blog again, Ms. Clarkston. I have been anxiously awaiting this post and your visit. You know how much I have anticipated the release of Northern Rain! The first North & South Variation by Nicole Clarkston is No Such Thing as Luck. You can find my review of that book here. Some of you may recall it won an MAE award for favorite books of 2015

Be watching for the Northern Rain Blog Tour coming soon to a blog near you!

Available on Amazon

Now for the giveaway. Ms. Clarkston is giving away two eBooks of Northern Rain. She is also giving away one audio book or her Pride and Prejudice variation, Rumours and Recklessness. The giveaways are international so that is excellent news for all. Please leave a comment and don't forget to include your contact info. This will enter you in the giveaway which will end Saturday at 11:59 PM, the 25th of June, 2016. Thanks to all of you for stopping by and good luck in the giveaway. 

46 comments:

  1. Oh, this is good. Thanks so much for sharing.

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    1. I'm happy you stopped by, Joy. I hope you will read this one soon. I think you will love it!

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  2. Looks interesting - I am still waiting to read my first North and South variation
    meikleblog at gmail dot com

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    1. Oh, Vesper, you do not know what you are missing. You must read some 'North and South' variations. This one is exceptional as was Ms. Clarkston's first one, 'No Such Thing as Luck'!

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  3. Oh! I'd like to enter the drawing for "Rumors and Recklessness" I've already pre-ordered Northern Rain! I'm looking forward to it's arrival on my Kindle tomorrow.
    coleen561 at outlook dot com

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    1. Glad you pre-ordered and I bet you have it by now. I will be sure you are entered in the giveaway for the audiobook, 'Rumours and Recklessness'.

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  4. What Janet was too modest to mention is that she designed the beautiful cover. Didn't she do a lovely job? Thank you, Janet, for welcoming me back to MAE. Good luck in the drawing, everyone!

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    1. Thank you, Nicole. It was my pleasure to design the cover. You were a joy to work with too. I'm happy you think it is lovely!

      I am so glad to have you visit my blog again. It is always great to have you and I hope you have much success with this book. As you know, I love it!

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  5. Patkf2007 {at} hotmail {dot} com

    Margaret and John has got to be one of my favorite couples after Wentworth / Anne and Darcy/Elizabeth!

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    1. I think you have picked three awesome couples to be your favorites. Margaret and John are wonderful in this story. Good luck in the giveaway.

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  6. Oh my God, I just LOVED this!!! It just sounds like Gaskell! Great style, great story indeed!
    v.moraes.ab at gmail dot com

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    1. That is one of the things that impresses me about Ms. Clarkston's writing...she has the tone of Gaskell. Her writing is excellent. I hope you can read this one soon. Good luck.

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  7. I couldn't stop chuckling over that scene with the two busybodies, but swooned a little over John's caring for his wife.

    Bummer about your internet, Janet. We've gone down a few times this summer and it does cause things to get interesting. And I see Nicole's comment that the neat cover is yours so congrats to you as well as Nicole on the new release.
    Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
    sophiarose1816 at gmail dot com

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    1. Wasn't that a funny scene. I could just see those snooty ladies! John is definitely swoon-worthy in this book. The first chapter will have you hooked. It did me. It is so touching and I felt completely immersed in it.

      Good luck and I hope you get to read it soon.

      It is never fun to do without internet, is it! I felt so lost and partly because I had too many things to be doing work-wise on the internet.

      I'm glad you like the cover. Thank you. I enjoyed doing it. My son rendered the images. (I think he got a little frustrated when I would ask him if he could turn John's head down more, or let his hand hang a certain way...raise the umbrella, etc. lol) After he sent me the images, I tweaked them and added them in the cover design. It was fun to work with him and Nicole is so agreeable. She was so sweet and easy to work with too.

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    2. He did a fabulous job. Such a patient and talented son you have, Janet!

      Am I the only one loving how a mom gets to brag on her boy's hard work or chuckling about how it connects to this particular story? Coincidence? ��

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    3. That is too funny, Nicole. I hadn't even thought of how what I said connected to the story! haha!

      I'll pass on your compliments to Jeff. He will be pleased.

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  8. I've recently listened to Rumours and Recklessness and thoroughly enjoyed it, so please don't enter me in that particular giveaway.

    This scene was just delicious. Thanks so much for sharing it with us. The cover is lovely Janet.

    I'm going to check if the offer price is available in the UK too. If it is, I'll get it straight away and pop back to let you know.

    angmardee ( at ) hotmail ( dot ) com

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    1. I'm happy to hear that you enjoyed your audiobook. Good news!

      Wasn't it a delicious scene? I loved it!

      Glad you like the cover. Thank you. My son did the rendered images. I tweaked them, then designed the covers.

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  10. I am looking forward to reading this! There isn't enough North and South fanfiction. I am currently listening to the audiobook of Rumours & Recklessness and am enjoying it very much.

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    1. I agree with you. There definitely are not enough! I am so glad to hear that you are enjoying your audiobook of Rumours & Recklessnes! That is fantastic.

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  11. Yes, it's on at £1.49 over here so I've just grabbed my copy, so please don't put my name in the hat for the giveaway for the ebook either.

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    1. Great! Thanks for letting everyone know, Anji! I will not include you in the giveaway.

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  12. I don't read nearly enough North&South inspired novels! This story sounds like one I'd love. Thanks for the giveaway.

    priscillateh @ live.hk

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    1. Oh, Priscilla, I think you will love it! I certainly did. Mr. Thornton is swoon-worthy! sigh!

      Good luck!

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  13. I think I have read most of the variations that are offered on Amazon for North and South. I really enjoyed them all. Some were more simply stated others more complex and drawn out but I love them all and appreciate the efforts everyone goes to to share their creative ideas of this wonderful story by EG!

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    1. I think you will love this one. It is awesome! Nicole Clarkston writes much in the manner of Elizabeth Gaskell. Thanks for coming by.

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  14. This looks fascinating!! Stunning cover too! You have me very curious to know more. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. The book is fascinating and glad you think the cover is stunning! Thank you! My son gets some of the credit as he rendered the images for me. So glad you stopped by and I hope you get to read this one soon.

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    2. Northern Rain sounds interesting. I already have the book and so would love to be entered for the audio book of Rumors and Recklessness. The cover is stunning. I especially love how the color changes from dark in the front to lighter in the back, signifying hope (in my opinion) and of better things to come. Thank you for the generous give away.

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    3. Northern Rain sounds interesting. I already have the book and so would love to be entered for the audio book of Rumors and Recklessness. The cover is stunning. I especially love how the color changes from dark in the front to lighter in the back, signifying hope (in my opinion) and of better things to come. Thank you for the generous give away.

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    4. I think you will love it, Debbie. Glad you got the book!

      I will be sure you are entered for the audio book.

      Your thoughts on the back cover signifying hope and better things to come are spot-on. That is almost verbatim what I said to Nicole in one of our emails. The front cover is more about the despair and loneliness of John Thornton,being depicted by the colors with only Margaret's coat (and the swirl) giving the bit of color to stand out in the gray world as she does in Thornton's heart. With the roses, the tea set, which is significant to the story, and the colors, hope blooms! The umbrella and the rain are both integral parts of the book too.

      I am so pleased that you saw that and shared your thoughts.

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    5. I am so happy that my thoughts are spot on, but must ask that you remove me from the drawing of the audiobook as I purchased it when it was first released. Rumors and Recklessness is a phenomenal story which I highly recommend.

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  15. Nicole Clarkston's Rumours and Recklessness is one of my very favourite P&P variations. But North & South left me cold. I would be delighted to win the audio book of R&R, but please do not dilute the pool by entering me for the N&S variation. Thank you for offering the excerpt and the generous giveaway.

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    1. Janis, I's so sorry to hear that N&S left you cold. Have you read the book or only seen the movie? The meeting of John and Margaret from the movie is not part of the book. I think that was part of the movie to intensify Margaret's dislike of him for the benefit of the viewing audience. I do wish you would consider giving this book a try. I promise it will not leave you cold! :)

      Thank you for telling us how much you love 'Rumours and Recklessness'. That is quite a commendation! I will be sure you are in the giveaway for the audiobook.

      Thanks for popping in.

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  16. I really need to start rading variations of North and South!! This looks great!
    Thanks for the giveaway.

    ana (dot) mr (dot) 1986 (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Ana, I hope you do! N&S certainly does not have the following that P&P does. However, I think I love N&S for how vivid and raw the story is.

      I grew up the daughter of two entrepreneurs, so when I look at Thornton's work ethic and his desire to sacrifice for his family, I see what I grew up admiring. Anyone can be born into money *cough* Darcy *cough*, but it takes a special dedication to completely change one's circumstances. I love how this stalwart man who would not be swayed by anything suddenly falls flat on his face where Margaret is concerned. He is absolutely fascinating.

      Margaret, too, is an interesting heroine for Gaskell to have conceived. She is a walking paradox; a gentlewoman who associates with the very lowest social classes, an innocent in the ways of the world who dares to take on the darkness of her surroundings. That a man like Thornton should fall for her is no surprise, but the journey she has to make is very enlightening.

      I do hope you give some N&S stories a try ;-)

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    2. Hi Ana. I do hope you will start reading the North and South Variations. There are some excellent ones and I can vouch for the two written by Nicole Clarkston. I think you will love them.

      Thanks for stopping by and good luck in the giveaway.

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    3. I am waiting to have holidays to catch up with all the reading I have!! I definitely will read a N&S variation and rewatch the films as well :)

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  17. This sounds like a good read. I still have not read North and South, yet. So I need to put that book on my TBR list.

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    1. Forgot to leave my information PattyEdmisson at gmail dot com.

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    2. Hi Patty. I'm glad to see you visited! :) You need to read N&S. It is different in places from the movie and I think you will love it. It shows even more how good a job Richard Armitage did when playing the role of John Thornton. Ms. Gaskell gives many of his thoughts and RA did much to show them with his facial expressions and body movement. I was amazed. Good luck in the giveaway and when you read N&S, let me know your thoughts.

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  18. Can't believe Nicole Clarkston wrote another N&S variation!!! This was the best news of the week! Thank you so much for sharing the Lost Scene with us Janet! I love coming to your blog, because like me, you enjoy N&S as much as P&P and for that reason present us with wonderful N&S posts!! The cover is absolutely gorgeous, I love it!!! Please do not enter me in the giveaway as I already own all of Nicole Clarkston's ebooks and audio book :)

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    1. Isn't it wonderful, Rita! I was so excited and have been anxiously awaiting this one. I have the awesome privilege of reading it as Nicole wrote. Sometimes, she would leave me hanging in the worst places. I told her she did that on purpose! :)

      I'm so glad to hear that you love to visit my blog! That is good news AND if you want a hint at some more good news, keep a watch because there is great news coming in a few days! I think you will love it!

      You made my day with your comments about the cover! Thank you so much. I'm thrilled that you love it.

      Thanks for popping in and leaving us some love! :)

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    2. Read NR and absolutely loved it!
      Thought this little snapshot was so delightful to read,and yes,it fitted in well with the storyline of NR.
      I loved Mrs T in this story s d believe that she and Margaret would have established a very strong and unique bond,based on their love for the same man. Thanks for the excerpt Janet.

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    3. I loved it too, Mary. I very much enjoyed having the wonderful thoughts of John Thornton so well written.

      This vignette was delightful and as you say, it fit in well with the storyline.

      I loved Ms. Clarkston's portrayal of Hannah Thornton too. She fleshed her out and I think that is exactly how it would have been.

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