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Week 3: Chapters 16 - 24 Discussion
Questions
Mothers and daughters often have a hard time getting along. For some reason, women tend to treat their sons much better than they do their daughters, whom they sometimes criticize excessively. In the case of Heven and her mother, I think that the rift is perhaps almost as serious as that between Sam and his father. (By the way, men get along better with their daughters...)
At first, when Heven's mom mentioned the Bible and church, I thought that she was a good, loving Christian woman. It gradually became apparent, though, that she was a fanatic. Perhaps her church is a bit on the cult side, too. Unfortunately, fanatics tend to be completely unyielding in their beliefs, whatever religion they might belong to. So, I really don't see Heven having a positive relationship with her mother in the future. In fact, I predict that they will eventually become totally estranged. If Heven's mother ever finds out what Sam is, that will make the rift permanent!
2. Sam tells Heven about how he came to be living on his own, how his parents kicked him out after he became what he is. He doesn’t seem angry though; he seems to accept it. Would you be angry? Do you think he should be?
Poor Sam! He's such a sweetheart! Yes, I would certainly be angry if my own parents kicked me out like that! I would also be very, very hurt, especially if my parents (well, one of them, at least) knew that this shape shifting was part of the family gene pool, and that there was a possibility the gene would manifest in my generation.
After some time, bitterness would emerge. Of course, this would taint any relationships I might have, with either friends or a potential mate. In fact, I imagine I'd need some therapy in order to deal with my family's rejection. It's really quite remarkable that Sam has taken it all in stride. On the other hand, perhaps he has repressed the emotions related to this event to such an extent that he no longer feels them. This means, of course, that he needs some serious therapy. So, yes, I do think he should be angry! Not that he should seek revenge, though. Revenge is always wrong! However, if he were angry, again, he would need therapy in order to deal with his feelings constructively.
3. During these chapters, Heven and Sam visit the Inbetween and meet Airis (aka The Hope). Were you surprised by this series of events? Do you think a place like the InBetween really exists?
No, I really wasn't surprised by this. When reading a paranormal novel, I'm able to suspend my disbelief with no trouble at all, since I love fantasy and unusual stories so much. Besides, I was brought up Catholic, so I'm familiar with the concept of Purgatory. This is an "in between" place where souls go if they die in the state of sin, but yet, are not evil enough to be sent to Hell. The place described in this novel, though, seems to simply be a place between worlds -- not a place on Earth, yet not in Heaven. I do believe in the existence of Heaven, and am uncomfortable with the idea of Hell. It does sound reasonable for a place like the InBetween to exist, but I'm not sure if there is, indeed, such a place. In some spiritual/metaphysical traditions, "the astral plane" is what is here known as "The InBetween".
4. When Heven’s scars are no longer a part of her and she says “she no longer recognizes herself” – do you think that the absence of her scars will change her once more?
Hmmm....I do think she feels relieved from a huge burden! Along with that, she'll feel her confidence begin to soar, I'm sure. However, I don't think she'll ever go back to being her former, somewhat shallow self. Also, since she has been awakened to her gifts, she will now be concentrating on controlling them, using them for good purposes. Furthermore, she'll be very happy about the fact that Sam loved her and told her she was beautiful even before the scars disappeared!
5. Gran is very accepting of Heven and of Sam. Do you think that she understands more – knows more than she lets on about Heven’s life or do you think her love is just unconditional?
Sometimes I do get the feeling that there's more to Gran than meets the eye. Maybe we'll get more information regarding this in the sequel to this novel. On the other hand, I also believe that her love for Heven is, indeed, unconditional. Many women also fail to get along with their daughters-in-law. I think Gran doesn't get along with Heven's mom at all, but in this case, that's very understandable. Gran is the mother of Heven's dad. She has already criticized Heven's mother for the way she's treating Heven.
A grandmother's love is very different from that of a mother. Mothers (there are individual differences, naturally) have to take disciplinary measures at times. Grandmothers never, or rarely, have to do this. Instead, they usually have fun enjoying their grandchildren, and might even, according to the mothers, spoil them. Grandmas do tend to be more lenient than their daughters or daughters-in-law.
I also get the feeling that Heven and her grandmother are kindred spirits. They're both unconventional, off the beaten path. They're trusting people, and they're also willing to give someone a second chance. Heven's mother, in contrast, strikes me as a very rigid person, and very judgemental, as well. She's not open to considering mitigating circumstances. Her love toward Heven is conditional in the extreme, although she keeps saying that it's all for Heven's good. Gran doesn't spout platitudes; instead, she patiently listens to her granddaughter. Her heart is open, where Heven and Sam are concerned. In contrast, Heven's mom has a closed heart.
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