The Night Watchman

Questions About The Night Watchman

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Answered Questions (20)

Sophia Pekowsky There's definitley something in her need for the patterns on her clothes to be a certain way and her lack of filter. It's interesting how this was dis…moreThere's definitley something in her need for the patterns on her clothes to be a certain way and her lack of filter. It's interesting how this was discussed without ever using words like autism or on the spectrum, it made me think about how before these diagnoses existed, the characteristics of what we now refer to as autism existed, and how the perceptions of these people by others is potentially affected by the definition/diagnoses. I also sensed that Millie was queer because of her confusing feelings for Patrice/Pixie!! She is such a wonderful and interesting character.(less)
Lynda I would love to see the story of Wood Mountain and Vera explored. Or follow Patrice to law school.
Dale They were never explicit. When Patrice asks the bartender(?) why the other water jacks didn't last long the woman quickly changes the topic. And it wa…moreThey were never explicit. When Patrice asks the bartender(?) why the other water jacks didn't last long the woman quickly changes the topic. And it was only after this conversation that Patrice notices that she feels out of sorts.

I think to keep this centered in the time and place, the 1950s, it is purposely left ambiguous. Because at the time there wouldn't be a way to tell. It could have been many things: the suit material, the dye, the drying powder, the tank water, the makeup, materials in the room she changed and slept in... there were so many toxins back in the day. I think that main takeaway is that Patrice is intuitive and good at thinking on her feet despite her innocence. She is resiliant, a solution finder and a survivor...

Although I agree with Barbara below that it was inferred by the author that it was likely the dye on the suit or the drying powder.(less)
Lisa Higgins I really enjoyed the book and once the story came together I could not put it down. Very powerful characters.
Mary Erickson I made my own lists for the first tenth of the book, and by then I knew who everyone was and the rest flowed very easily without notes.

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