When I think of this novel, the image of a coin comes to mind -- and the idea of its two sides, one opposite the other -- and the act of turning it over in my hand to see first one side, then the other, but never able to see both sides at once. I feel like the characters in this work operate in much the same way. Each character seems to have in various degrees an inability to see the other, understand the other, because none can see themselves. They tell themselves stories, act victim or slave to these stories, but never observe their actions.
Each seeks validation: our acceptance that whatever he or she says about themselves is true. But not necessarily for the reasons they give. We have to ask, is the argument sound? In other words is it historically true? And then charity comes from accepting that each truth told is their own, regardless of our belief in that version to be true.
So enough of my rambling...do you see this playing out in any of our characters? Their relationships with each other? Their belief systems? Their choices? Their strengths and/or weaknesses? You obviously don't need to answer all the above -- just some places you may like to go.
