Books I Want To Talk About discussion

Please tag all spoilers!

Thanks for starting this thread, Sarah.


So, did anybody actually like the main character?

No, not at all!! Another friend and I were saying that it's strange to like a book so much when we couldn't stand the main character. But I liked the writing style very much.

In one of my reviews I said I did not want to forgive Victoria; but I did.
What a selfish, uncaring, pig. I nearly threw up when she ate off of other people's plate in a restaurant.

SPOILER













I thought the section where she was trying to care for her baby by herself was quite poignant. I could really appreciate her feelings, even though I didn't like her actions. I actually got angry with how the people who had helped her so much at first just stopped. Even if she hadn't had rejection issues, that would have been pretty frightening.

Mary wrote: "In one of my reviews I said I did not want to forgive Victoria; but I did.
What a selfish, uncaring, pig. I nearly threw up when she ate off of other people's plate in a restaurant."

It was gross to think of, to be sure. But I actually found it one of the more poignant moments in the book. She was homeless and starving and I thought it rather an ingenious way to keep herself fed. I didn't think it was realistic, though, because at most restaurants that serve risotto and such, the plates would be cleared before the check was paid.

(view spoiler)[Robbie wrote: "I thought the section where she was trying to care for her baby by herself was quite poignant. I could really appreciate her feelings, even though I didn't like her actions. I actually got angry ..."

I think that happens a lot in real life. When someone first has a baby, their friends and family and neighbors bring all manner of casseroles (or 'covered dishes' as they call them in the South) for the first few weeks. But no one offers to help any later than that, and many times the new parents are still struggling with daily chores months into parenthood. When the baby is first born, it's news. It's on everyone's mind. After a few weeks, it's old hat and people forget to keep lending a hand. (hide spoiler)]