J’s answer to “Why did the author deem it fit to end the book with the unexpected and shocking suicide of a lovely…” > Likes and Comments

@jonathan: Wow, very nice, well explained, rational answer! :) Thanks for that (y)

That was a very good answer and gave me a different viewpoint. I found Manek to be incredibly selfish and by the end of the book I didn't like him as all. To me, the fact that he killed himself went with his personality - suicide is the most selfish thing a person can do. Yes, he seemed like a good guy in the beginning, but then he went off to Dubai -only sending Dina a single letter, knowing full well how much she needed his help and financial assistance. He didn't even bother to send money to help tide her over until she could find someone to take his place. I honestly found him to be a horrible character, who could hae changed the outcome for everyone if he hadn't been so morose and self-absorbed. But I like your view of a boy with mental illness - I still don't like Manek, but I can appreciate a different perspective.