We believe what fits with our world construct. If you are looking to achieve success (e.g., George
Santos), you may do whatever it takes to get what you want (e.g., a seat in Congress). And everyone who was sucked in by him fell (just like with James) into projecting what they were looking for. In the case of James, the couples wanted to make lots of money and he seemed to be a successful business man who knew how to acquire it. In the case of George, people saw a Jewish man, a gay man, an intelligent man, whatever they were looking for.
I agree with Barbara that she just did it in a frenzy of despair over no one listening to her and her husband trying to control what she did. She just wanted to make it stop.
I think he attacked Slick to keep her quiet. She was trying to blackmail him out of town. Perhaps she thought God was helping her be stronger than him. He saw Patricia as malleable as he had fooled her many times and caused her to doubt herself. BTW, why the name Slick?
I felt sorry for Patricia. Her husband, at best, was ignoring her. At worst, he was cheating on her. Her children also were being real brats and gave her no support. And then her friends, especially Slick, betrayed her.
Q3: Do you think Patricia took the pills intending to kill herself?
A3: I think Patricia took the pills to make everything stop in that moment. She wasn't thinking of the future and wasn't necessarily trying to kill herself. She was overwhelmed in the moment. I think it is interesting that she threw away the pill Carter had set out for her while taking the pills straight from the bottle. Perhaps this was her way of exercising some control she felt she needed in that moment.
Q2: James Harris has done a remarkable job of ingratiating himself into the social orbit of Mount Pleasant. And yet in one act (his attack on Slick) he threatens to undo all that work. Why? Why attack Slick now? And why Slick and not Patricia?
A2: I think James Harris is feeling threatened, especially if he believes Patricia was in the attic and might have found Francine. James is used to being in control. While I understand why James might have been aggressive toward Slick to retrieve the packet, I do not understand why James chose to be violent in that way. He could have threatened her and her family in other ways, though perhaps the reason goes back to control. And maybe James just hasn't gotten to Patricia yet.
Q. 5 Lying
We believe what fits with our world construct. If you are looking to achieve success (e.g., George
Santos), you may do whatever it takes to get what you want (e.g., a seat in Congress). And everyone who was sucked in by him fell (just like with James) into projecting what they were looking for. In the case of James, the couples wanted to make lots of money and he seemed to be a successful business man who knew how to acquire it. In the case of George, people saw a Jewish man, a gay man, an intelligent man, whatever they were looking for.
Q.4
This is a very common story of bulldozing down communities to make room for new
buildings--at the expense of the poor and the Black and brown communities. Mrs. Greene
was brave to start a fire as a diversion. Or maybe she acted on her rage.
Q 3. Pills Intentional
I agree with Barbara that she just did it in a frenzy of despair over no one listening to her and her husband trying to control what she did. She just wanted to make it stop.
Q 2 Why Slick?
I think he attacked Slick to keep her quiet. She was trying to blackmail him out of town. Perhaps she thought God was helping her be stronger than him. He saw Patricia as malleable as he had fooled her many times and caused her to doubt herself. BTW, why the name Slick?
Q1. Trust
I felt sorry for Patricia. Her husband, at best, was ignoring her. At worst, he was cheating on her. Her children also were being real brats and gave her no support. And then her friends, especially Slick, betrayed her.
Q3: Do you think Patricia took the pills intending to kill herself?
A3: I think Patricia took the pills to make everything stop in that moment. She wasn't thinking of the future and wasn't necessarily trying to kill herself. She was overwhelmed in the moment. I think it is interesting that she threw away the pill Carter had set out for her while taking the pills straight from the bottle. Perhaps this was her way of exercising some control she felt she needed in that moment.
Q2: James Harris has done a remarkable job of ingratiating himself into the social orbit of Mount Pleasant. And yet in one act (his attack on Slick) he threatens to undo all that work. Why? Why attack Slick now? And why Slick and not Patricia?
A2: I think James Harris is feeling threatened, especially if he believes Patricia was in the attic and might have found Francine. James is used to being in control. While I understand why James might have been aggressive toward Slick to retrieve the packet, I do not understand why James chose to be violent in that way. He could have threatened her and her family in other ways, though perhaps the reason goes back to control. And maybe James just hasn't gotten to Patricia yet.
I suggest that you include the title and author of the book you're referring to -- every time you post about a current Book Club book.