Reader's Ink discussion

In what ways is Truly an unlikely heroine? Would you classify her as a heroine at all?

I would say she is an unlikely heroine as she is not liked or really respected until much later in life. I was so grateful for Marcus, and the precious friend he was to her over a lot of years.

I went back and forth as to whether I thought Truly was a heroine, but ultimately I decided that she is. I was hesitant because most of her life seems to be dictated by her circumstances- she doesn't make any "big moves" and just goes along with what life has in store for her, never standing up for herself (to the teacher, Amanda Pinkerton, the people who tease her).

But then I thought about her role in Bobbie's life. And I realized heroes/heroines don't have to make the front page news. Sometimes their quiet and constant dedication is just as heroic. She devoted most of her life to Bobbie. When he was abandoned by his parents, she made him feel loved. She supported him when he was exploring a relationship with Salvatore and when he decided to open a restaurant.

Ultimately, I decided she is a heroine, both for her own life and for Bobbie's. Though it took her a while, she got the happy ending she was searching for.

Jewels, I agree. Truly went with the flow, but when it mattered, she did what she thought was fundamentally fair. Bobbie is the perfect example. Of course, Truly distrusted Salvatore at first, which made ME distrust him, but eventually that gets relatively clarified.

Additionally, despite being extremely aware of her size and lack of beauty, Truly maintains a strong sense of self that propels her forward. So yes, I'd call her a heroine.