Status Updates From Infinite Splendours

up to part three now.

living as a recluse seems to suit lawrence. even though it was trauma that triggered his inability to work/function in the world, he does seem content (other than when other people approach him).

i remember the ending of this book and how poignant it was but can't remember the last third of his life. it feels important to me now, i want to know what to *expect*

oh god. he gave the boy the drawing (it was a nest) and all his workmates have twigged pretty must instantly that he's fond of the boy. they either think it's a joke or are angry about it. he's gone from blissfully happy to feeling intense shame and looking again at the beam, wondering if he should end things. this has happened so suddenly :(

he's done a drawing of the boy he's met. it's both of the boy and for him (in that he's painted it with the boy in mind as a mode of communication) and doing this makes him feel intensely happy.

he's put it in his work bag and there is an ominous feeling he's going to give it to the boy (no! keep it private!) which is going to start on the path to disaster :(

after his mother dies, he's suddenly able to paint again. (he stopped after the incident.) i forgot about this. how did he manage so long without it? that seems to be his outlet. at this stage he's limited but still coping in the world despite his difficulty speaking and hasn't retreated completely. this doesn't last. i remember thinking this book was sad when i first read it, now it feels relatable...

ugh! laurence looks up to his uncle, who pushes it further and further. once the uncle has taken what he wants from laurence he does a runner. what a lowlife.

the blurb for this is awful (so blunt!) but this book is so comforting and makes me feel less bad for turning out like a hermit like the main character

second read of this.

so far it's before anything has happened and he's really normal. this is so tragic.