Book-a-book of the Month Club discussion

Discuss the story in all of its plot filled glory here!

I am interested in thoughts about the Rowdy and Arnold relationship. I thought this was an interesting one because even though after Arnold left and their interactions became very strained, I still felt they had a close bond. Arnold never faulted Rowdy for how he treated him, and I kind of felt like Rowdy still liked him just as much, he just didn't know how to react given the situation.

Obviously the author wants us to understand there is a strong bond between the two that is invincible. However, I imagined that Rowdy had moments when he wished the worst for Arnold, just like the animosity Arnold had towards Rowdy at times. For example, in the pre-interview conversation before the basketball game, Arnold said talks about how Rowdy hates him and how he wants to destroy him.

I also struggled with how to interpret Rowdy's violence towards Arnold. I can't comprehend knocking out someone I care about, nor giving them a concussion and stitches. I understand that Rowdy has grown up in a violent household and expresses himself in punches, but I'm not sure if I'm convinced that Rowdy has the same love towards Arnold as Arnold holds for him.

The violence was interesting. It is like Rowdy didn't know how to communicate any other way in this situation and Arnold understood that. I think most characters would have completely dumped a friend like Rowdy after he started acting like that!

I agree. I suppose the justification is that Arnold considered Rowdy equally if not more important than family, so was willing to take the hits from him.

FYI - this book was featured in an Entertainment Weekly article this week - they choose a book for each state that defined the state the best. This was the book for the state of Washington.

I have been to Washington and I am not sure I agree that this book defines the state as a whole - maybe part of the state perhaps?

My father's family lives in Washington and I spent most of my childhood summers there. They live in and around Tacoma and I can say that the American Indian influence is everywhere. Totum poles, Native American symbols and names, you name it. It's insidious and they don't even realize how unlike other states it is.

I used the word "insidious" but that seems as if I am implying it's bad. I'm not, I just mean to say that it is a part of the very existence of the state. Inseparable. Does that make sense?