I love how this made me think of hanging out with my friends in high school even though everything about it is different. It’s something about the chaos and the unexpected, the raw honesty and hope. Also, Jude is such a great friend…I like the way he’s always a little freaked out or at least unsure, but also kind of goes along with things unless it’s really important and then he saves his guts for that.
thanks Kate! that is a perfect description of Jude and what I was hoping to achieve. the story is about him finding himself outside of Tommy and his deference to him.
I read this again. I find these lines a little ominous - "Like I asked her if she could tell me five things she liked about me that weren’t inherent, that were, like, my personality traits.” Tommy always acts self-confident, but seems to be desperate for validation from others at the same time. He demands to be the center of everything. I can see his future in that. These characters are so well-drawn, so three-dimensional, Clancy. Beautiful writing.
he's definitely a sort of narcissist, but can charm your pants off...classic signs of an addict... thanks for re-reading Sharron. that you're still reading these twice gets me every time!
Glad Jude got a little bit of attention/help, he seemed to want both. Tommy is…jealous? Unwilling for Jude to be different than what he’s always been? Thoroughly enjoyed this, thank you, Clancy.
"Whenever conditions became unsuitable, he always made sure to extricate himself from whatever group or environment was making him upset." A smart strategy, if you ask me. ( It works for me.) Jude is such a smart kid to be able to figure out how Tommy's head works.
thanks, Keith. the book is truly about him. one of the rules I laid out for myself when writing it was that "Tommy should always be more interesting". hope I suceeeded.
I love how this made me think of hanging out with my friends in high school even though everything about it is different. It’s something about the chaos and the unexpected, the raw honesty and hope. Also, Jude is such a great friend…I like the way he’s always a little freaked out or at least unsure, but also kind of goes along with things unless it’s really important and then he saves his guts for that.
thanks Kate! that is a perfect description of Jude and what I was hoping to achieve. the story is about him finding himself outside of Tommy and his deference to him.
I read this again. I find these lines a little ominous - "Like I asked her if she could tell me five things she liked about me that weren’t inherent, that were, like, my personality traits.” Tommy always acts self-confident, but seems to be desperate for validation from others at the same time. He demands to be the center of everything. I can see his future in that. These characters are so well-drawn, so three-dimensional, Clancy. Beautiful writing.
he's definitely a sort of narcissist, but can charm your pants off...classic signs of an addict... thanks for re-reading Sharron. that you're still reading these twice gets me every time!
Uh-oh…. addict? Spoiler alert! ha ha ha
Glad Jude got a little bit of attention/help, he seemed to want both. Tommy is…jealous? Unwilling for Jude to be different than what he’s always been? Thoroughly enjoyed this, thank you, Clancy.
thank you jenn! I think he's afraid of Jude growing up without him. and maybe also feels a superiority to him he does not want to lose.
Oh yeah, that makes quite a bit of sense.
My oh my how I wish I’d had a Jude in my high school social circle!!!
don't we all? he's a meek sweetheart. thanks CB!
"Whenever conditions became unsuitable, he always made sure to extricate himself from whatever group or environment was making him upset." A smart strategy, if you ask me. ( It works for me.) Jude is such a smart kid to be able to figure out how Tommy's head works.
i agree, but i think tommy’s methods sometimes might mean he never faces his problems head on
Love Tommy’s reaction here, he is such a consistent character — super well written.
thanks, Keith. the book is truly about him. one of the rules I laid out for myself when writing it was that "Tommy should always be more interesting". hope I suceeeded.
i live for these comments. i particularly like calling out Jude as an unreliable narrator. astute observation. thanks ek!!!