Oakville Reads discussion

As the watch progresses, and Anna's condition deteriorates, Lib begins to feel she may be complicit in girl's demise. What were your thoughts on Lib’s action or inaction?

I thought the story had a neat ending, with her motherly instincts taking over. I don't think there was much more she could have done in forcing her to eat, as she was quite set in her beliefs.

I did have a hard time believing that Anna would agree to it, but then I remembered she is only 11, as she seemed more mature than that at points.

Throughout the novel I did struggle with the possible negative implications of the watch on Anna's health. As Lib wonders, is the new constant surveillance now enforcing a fast that wasn't as strict to begin with - as a result, Lib and Sister Michael's presence are actually making Anna worse. An irony that does not seem to be lost on the nurse. Lib is balancing on a double edge sword. She can abandon the watch, in which case her medical presence is lost for a sick child, or she can continue the watch thus enforcing the fast. I think I wanted Lib to be more forceful and vocal, but understanding the time and place, I appreciate how she did the best she could.

Ashley used the term "double-edge sword," and I was thinking about Lib being "caught between a rock and a hard place." She was so right to think she could be contributing to Anna's demise, and I think I would have been worried sick in the same situation. There was always the element of doubt about the nun and Anna's family, and could they have been feeding Anna surreptitiously? I think Lib did the best she could under the circumstances in a very stressful situation. Anna was a determined child, and I don't think Lib could have force-fed her even if she wanted to.