Volusia County Public Library discussion

Read the conversation the old Leo Colston has with
himself as a boy (pp. 7–8). Then write down three or
four things you think will happen later in the story (question courtesy of Penguin Readers Teacher Support Programme)

I found the conversation on pages 17-18.

Clearly there will be some sort of betrayal in which characters he placed on pedestals succumb to some hubris or flaw.

Some part Colston plays leads to a trauma to Mrs. Maudsley, her daughter, Burgess, Trimingham or all of them.

Whatever he did in the past was an act characterized by the boldness of astrological signs he relates to; and the acts consequences lead him to resign any kind of activity that is accompanied by risk or requiring boldness.

Very interesting. What remains to be seen then, is what sort of betrayal? What trauma, and to whom? So the stars scared him, so to speak. Let's see how badly and howcome....

What do you think of Leo? Do you like him?

I can appreciate naiveté in a young character, but his is beyond my suspension of disbelief, especially from a character growing up in an all boys boarding school. In fact, naiveté appears to be the popular stance on all of the characters with the exception of Mrs. Maudesley. I find it difficult to connect with any of the characters.

Re-post:

Yes, it makes sense to feel that many of these characters would have a bit more cop on and have their wits tighter about them, due to their circumstances and their lives. That being said, what do you think of Ted?