Sally’s answer to “So, if she did it, then she WAS the "guy" in disguise on the bus? It was kind of a disappointing en…” > Likes and Comments
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She was actually 10 when her father left her. The author purposely made her that age because she could survive.
I agree--I had a really hard time believing that people knew a child was living alone and did nothing about it.
Yeah, I agree that you had to suspend some disbelief there.
Yes, she was 10 by the time her father left, and had learned basic survival skills. Children are very capable of learning to survive at a young age if they need to, and people are very capable of ignoring a need that they are biased against. I had no trouble believing it - I've heard enough real-life examples of the same kind of thing happening.
I didn't find that too hard to believe.
Even before her father left, he could be gone for days at a time. I just find it a bit of a stretch for her to have taken care of herself while completely alone, not be afraid, and not have been seriously traumatized from it all. I kept imaging her turning out to be toothless, completely psychologically damaged adult.
As I always say, we can get so much from books if we don't let reality get in our way; willing suspension of disbelief can open us to so much.
This wasn't a documentary. In fiction and even real life, there are all kinds of possibilities. The author doesn't have to spell out every detail of survival. The reader can agree to go with it or put the book down.
Also this was set in the 50s/60s - no computerised ways of keeping track of ‘lost kids.’ I think it’s hard to imagine a child surviving like that but that’s because the majority of us never experience it. I don’t think it’s unrealistic, just unfamiliar to the majority of people reading it in 2019/2020.
I was also going to mention that this was in the 50's-60's. Most people during that time period didn't even want Marsh People in their town, let alone being educated with their kid. There wasn't the records that are kept today. Educated by Tara Westover is a great example of this and is based on a true story.
I think the survival part is not as unbelievable as going from illiterate marsh girl to published author and scientist.
Brenda: There are people who first learn to read as employed adults, and I think at least one such has gone o n to be a published poet or novelist!
Kya was developing her mind before Tate taught her, and just kept on afterwards. That was the least unbelievable marvel of the story.
She learned some things helping her mother, yet, at six, was she tall enough to cook on the wood stove without burning herself? Strong enough to pump water?
I can not imagine a child of six sitting on an outhouse toilet seat. Legs hanging off, but how did she scramble up there?
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Roxanne
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Jun 14, 2019 04:11AM
She was actually 10 when her father left her. The author purposely made her that age because she could survive.
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I agree--I had a really hard time believing that people knew a child was living alone and did nothing about it.
Yeah, I agree that you had to suspend some disbelief there.
Yes, she was 10 by the time her father left, and had learned basic survival skills. Children are very capable of learning to survive at a young age if they need to, and people are very capable of ignoring a need that they are biased against. I had no trouble believing it - I've heard enough real-life examples of the same kind of thing happening.
I didn't find that too hard to believe.
Even before her father left, he could be gone for days at a time. I just find it a bit of a stretch for her to have taken care of herself while completely alone, not be afraid, and not have been seriously traumatized from it all. I kept imaging her turning out to be toothless, completely psychologically damaged adult.
As I always say, we can get so much from books if we don't let reality get in our way; willing suspension of disbelief can open us to so much.
This wasn't a documentary. In fiction and even real life, there are all kinds of possibilities. The author doesn't have to spell out every detail of survival. The reader can agree to go with it or put the book down.
Also this was set in the 50s/60s - no computerised ways of keeping track of ‘lost kids.’ I think it’s hard to imagine a child surviving like that but that’s because the majority of us never experience it. I don’t think it’s unrealistic, just unfamiliar to the majority of people reading it in 2019/2020.
I was also going to mention that this was in the 50's-60's. Most people during that time period didn't even want Marsh People in their town, let alone being educated with their kid. There wasn't the records that are kept today. Educated by Tara Westover is a great example of this and is based on a true story.
I think the survival part is not as unbelievable as going from illiterate marsh girl to published author and scientist.
Brenda: There are people who first learn to read as employed adults, and I think at least one such has gone o n to be a published poet or novelist!Kya was developing her mind before Tate taught her, and just kept on afterwards. That was the least unbelievable marvel of the story.
She learned some things helping her mother, yet, at six, was she tall enough to cook on the wood stove without burning herself? Strong enough to pump water? I can not imagine a child of six sitting on an outhouse toilet seat. Legs hanging off, but how did she scramble up there?
