coco's reading’s review of Adam, Mine. > Likes and Comments

I know it’s gauche for an author to comment on reviews, but from one metabolic sufferer to another, I want to make sure the very first person to comment on this element gets a direct assurance that the ending wasn’t written to imply that!

There is an earlier scene where Willem floats the idea to him (while offering him candy) and he shuts it down immediately, utterly disinterested in exploring whether vitality exchange provides a “magical cure” or prodding at the boundaries of the methods he uses to protect himself. The final scene is intended to be a reinforcement of that sentiment, in which he showcases continued dedication to his health preserving actions, even after Victor’s [REDACTED]. Largely because without it, I was sure I’d get scores of readers wondering/insisting on a magical cure ending, asking questions about it, or just assuming that it happened.

Showing him accepting the cake as a gift, but still refusing to eat it was additionally meant to showcase that the core of Elias (his instinct towards kindness, and his health methodology as a display of the preservative and enduring love of his family) remains unchanged by the transformative circumstances of the novel. Positioned as a springboard for his new beginning, and proof that equivalent exchange had been satisfied and Elias is now as he once was.

Kayla! Hello! I nearly fell off the treadmill when I saw you'd commented.

Thank you for providing context and intent behind this plot point. I was just talking with a parent about how frustrating it can be to hear folks and doctors say they've "cured" diabetes, and there's already so little nuanced representation of the disease in media. You wrote Elias's diabetes with such care--it was affirming to read about a character loved and cherished and never made to feel themself a burden for their illness ❤️