Book Club for Introverts discussion

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This is getting more and more interesting. I think the bird Alicia saw was symbolic of her. Seemingly fine on the surface but hollowed out and full of death underneath. Her mother was definitely damaged and apparently tried to kill her. It seems she is worried that she might be like her. The Jesus picture is interesting- why did she subconsciously paint Gabriel on the cross? Is his name meaningful? Gabriel was an angel. She says she loves him despite all his flaws and he apparently has a lot of them. I still wonder if he is mentally or physically controlling and or abusing her. Christian seems to be just doing time—is he even interested in helping the patients? The session with Alicia was intriguing. Perhaps she wants to stay silent and hide herself from the truth of what happened like she hid before from whatever was happening in her life. The attack surprised me though I guess it shouldn’t have since she attacked previously.

There is SO much going on with Alicia. The painting was disturbing and I think it bothered me even more that Gabriel went along with it. I don’t know many people who would want their face painted in a scene like that.

I’m really liking the descriptions of transference and countertransference. Those are hard concepts to grasp and describe and the author does a great job of conveying them to the reader.

The quote that prefaced Part Two was perfect: "Unexpressed emotions will never die. They are buried alive, and will come forth later, in uglier ways." It seems as though that is exactly what is happening with Alicia.

The chapter depicting what transpired with the painting of Gabriel was disturbing, and I think will be a meaningful piece of this puzzle. I, too, thought that his name could be symbolic in some way.

I am so in love with this book, and am completely captivated.

I keyed in on the name Gabriel, as well. There must be a connection between the name and the painting. Death and redemption?