2-3-4 Challenge Book Discussions #1 discussion

Claire and Danny’s mother had a distant relationship with their mother since she remarried and started a new family. Do you think she actually was grieving about Danny, operating from guilt or maybe a bit of both? Why do you think the author chose to keep her nameless?

I didn't notice she was nameless. She has a good share of blame in this. I don't know if it would have changed anything, but she certainly didn't help Danny either as an abandoned child or a wounded adult.

I don't actually think she was grieving for Danny. She just wanted to look as though she was a good mother. I think the author chose to keep her nameless to show us that she really had no relationship with Danny or Claire.

I felt like she was just putting on a show to get sympathy for herself.

Calling all her old friends about the funeral, seriously? It really showed just how disconnected she was from her children.

Karen, I felt exactly the way you describe. I think it was intentional that the author failed to give her a name. She was inconsequential in her children’s lives and then selfishly tried to take over the funeral arrangements.

Laura, I agree it was all for show. But I don’t think she was looking for sympathy. It was all for attention. I’ve seen some of this before at funerals, people being all dramatic who hadn’t even graced the deceased with as much as a phone call in years.

I'm with you, Karen, Anita and Jonetta. Been there, seen that.

Yeah, isn’t unfortunate Charlene that we have seen this in real life?