Luke Elsinger’s Reviews > Montana 1948 > Status Update

David's afterthoughts on Frank's Suicide shocked me. In a way, he seemed almost happy; he stated, "It was gratitude," after describing what he had felt for his uncle after his uncle's death. In this, Watson helps show how young David is once more. David believes things will go back to normal enough for his satisfaction. However, he then said, "I believed all of these things to be true," hinting at the opposite.

I find it interesting how Frank's appearance shifts from the beginning of the book to the end. On page 138, David exclaims that when he walks over the basement floor where Frank is, it gives him "a momentary glimpse of the dark, flowing depths always waiting below." Watson does a good job of illustrating how people can change, for good or worse. Frank is an example of this, turning from a loving uncle to a criminal.

I was caught off guard when David pointed out his dad's ageing at a point of vulnerability. I believe Watson illustrated this scene to show how hard this situation must be on Wesley. Not only battling his oppressive father, but he also has to arrest his brother on a case of murder. In the future, the theme of family vs justice will continue to force Welsey to clash with Julian and navigate the law with Frank.

The secret David knows, and that he has trouble sharing with people, intrigues me. I believe this is when he becomes the protagonist of the story. He could keep the secret and continue with his life, but instead, he shares the truth. I think the author did this to give David more power in the story, as he is always treated like a child. Now, David has the power to change the outcome of the situation.

I am fascinated by why the author chose 12-year-old David to narrate this story rather than himself in the present day. I believe that it was told by his younger self because it helps build suspense. David is constantly dealing with being treated like a child. However, in the book, he struggles to discern the deeper message of what is really happening, prompting the reader to think for themselves.

I questioned why the author included that Marie always had the Philco radio on when she was at the house. I thought it had marked a change for the worse in Marie's health, as she had not been playing it like her normal self. I think the author did this to show how Marie is really struggling with a severe sickness that might be detrimental. I can predict that in the future, Marie might not recover from this virus.