Reader's Ink discussion

Q from Meghan: Who is the villain in the novel?

I thought one of the most detestable characters was "The Automator". Particularly when he chose to overlook the confession Tom made to Howard about his role in Skippy's death.

It is sick that he allowed Tom to get away scott-free because he was so concerned about upholding the reputation of the school. He is so incredibly corrupt- easily one of the biggest villains.

I'm with you Alisha - the Automator was a fantastic villain. I actually wanted to go back and change my answer in the survey. He's so incredibly corrupt but he's also unbelievably good at playing the game. When he tells Howard that Howard will not win (following the unapproved field trip), I absolutely believed him. That the book finishes with his letter to the Seabrook community - pretty much showing he got things exactly how he wanted them - was chilling. It was one final nail in the coffin of any hope of redemption for this book - Murray wanted to make sure readers knew there was going to be no eleventh-hour miracle.

Like I said in the other question...I think Tom is both the perfect villian and the most important character...with that said I think the Automator makes for a very complimentary sidekick who only accelerates the destruction Tom put into motion. Together they are a scary scary duo. Make me wonder what else they got away with over the years.

I agree that the Automator was our Villian for this book. To see the affects he had on the different characters and to see the absolute misery he created does put him in that category.

So many villians and so much evil in this poor school! I agree that Tom is a villain, but I think the Automator is even worse because who knows how many kids have been or will be hurt by Tom, Father Green, etc. He seemed to be the most calculating in his evil, while Tom was sick and messed up but not all that sneaky. Giving Skippy a bottle of pills with his name right on it was not the smartest move, while it seems the Automator would have covered his tracks more completely.

Great point, Julie - I love the distinction between Tom and the Automator. I think that's why I found the Automator so disturbing: he knows better (or should) but will twist facts to suit his own purposes. Tom's confession to Howard shows he's, like you said, sick and messed up - he's still capable of knowing something is wrong and confessing. Given the setting, confessing has religious meanings. To that end, could that be part of why the Automator wanted to push the church out of Seabrook?

Out of interest, did anyone think any of the teenagers could be classified as villains?

If any of the teenagers are to be classified as villains, I'd go with Carl. He seems to have a conduct disorder, which is displayed in the drug dealing, manipulative way he treats others, and starting the fire.

In his defense, however, his mother, is a wreck, and I don't recall any mention of his father. He would be a classic example of an at-risk kid- the kind that instead of calling a villain and saying is a lost cause, I'd want to see supported, treated, and come out a better person after some time.

I suppose my heart goes out to these kids- I feel like to some degree, they're coping the only way they know how in awful circumstances. Ok, now I've strayed from fiction to reality.

So- Carl may be a teenage villain (but if he were real I wouldn't want to give up hope on him!)

I agree with Carl. Thought about him a lot and was going to mention him along with the Automator last night when making my comments. I can't stand him. He wreaks of everything evil. He way he manipulated Lori, however she did allow it to an extent too. How he messed with Skippy, oooohhhhh.

Good point about not giving up. I have a couple people in my family that have some misguided tendencies, and we have never given up on them. They are basically good people, just making dumb choices.

No I don't think any of the Teens can be classified as villians. If anything they are victims of circumstance-even Carl. Of course I am a sucker for the delingquent kid(which is why I work with them daily)...Carl I agree is the poster child for an at risk youth who slipped through the cracks and no one bothered to help....the teachers, kids, and other parents all knew this kid was messed up and using and needed help yet they continually turned him away and ignored him....his behavior is a cry for help not an act of a calculated villian. I think Murray uses the adult characters to demonstrate clearly they are the villians and that the teens are truly the onavoidable victims ( who will learn to prey on others in the future due to their exposure to the adult characters in this plot).

On the subject of Carl: isn't he, in many ways, the teenage version of Tom? They're both deeply disturbed individuals, but, for differing reasons, they're given a 'pass' by the people in charge.

Tom molested Skippy but Father Green took the blame. Carl spiked the Halloween Hop punch but Skippy was considered at fault. In both cases, the Automator was involved and provided excuses for the man responsible.

YEs and YES....good point Lauren.

Lauren- you make a good point about Tom & Carl.

I wonder who would be more dangerous? Carl is clearly trouble- someone you would want to protect your teenage daughter from.

But Tom appears to be good. Before the accident, after it- he appears to have things together. Howard is the only person who sees through the act and is waiting for him to snap.

Would he be more dangerous because he would be easy to trust? As a swimmer, Skippy trusted his coach, and was incredibly hurt and betrayed by him. As a teenager, Skippy knew Carl was bad news, and more or less expected to be hurt by him.

I feel Tom is more dangerous, because he can draw people in to trust him and then prey's on them when they are vulnerable.

Alisha I agree Tom is a Predator , Carl is dangerous but not in that category bc it is so obvious he should be avoided.

Alisha - I hadn't even thought of it in terms of danger. What a fantastic point. And you said it perfectly: Tom's more dangerous because people wouldn't expect it of him.

I don't know about everyone else, but the more we talk, the more I'm appreciating Tom as a character and his role in the story.