Did anyone else think that Perse could be yet another manifestation of IT? She's female, she's powerful, and she talks to Illy through the drains at one point. Also, she was described as probably being old when the Jews were enslaved in Egypt (or something to that effect; I still have to buy the text and reread some parts.) Is this an obvious connection that we are supposed to make, or am I reading way too far into it?
Also, if Perse, or Persephone, is an evil spirit, is she the ship, or is the ship hers? Is she the ship and the china figure? I'd love to know more about the origin of the "treasure Elizabeth's father found, including the figurine. Before I finished the book, I was imagining that the "Perse" might be revealed to be a doomed pirate ship with a cursed treasure that led to its doom, a la Pirates of the Caribbean. I don't think the book necessarily lost any of its appeal by not including a more detailed backstory, but it is fun to speculate.
Also, if Perse, or Persephone, is an evil spirit, is she the ship, or is the ship hers? Is she the ship and the china figure? I'd love to know more about the origin of the "treasure Elizabeth's father found, including the figurine. Before I finished the book, I was imagining that the "Perse" might be revealed to be a doomed pirate ship with a cursed treasure that led to its doom, a la Pirates of the Caribbean. I don't think the book necessarily lost any of its appeal by not including a more detailed backstory, but it is fun to speculate.