Questions About The Sound of One Hand Clapping

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Answered Questions (2)

Are Helvi and Jiri's connection to Sonja mentioned in the chapters set in the 50s and 60s? I know Helvi mentioned knowing Maria and Sonja hadn't seen Helvi in over 20 years when she visited her at work, but I can't remember reading an explanation as to their importance in her early life. I'm struggling to understand their significance and why she chose to go to them when she returned to Tasmania in 1989.

Katie This didn't really occur to me, but you're absolutely right. I only just read the book and I don't remember any mention of them in Sonja's chapters in…moreThis didn't really occur to me, but you're absolutely right. I only just read the book and I don't remember any mention of them in Sonja's chapters in the 50s and 60s. It is in fact mentioned that Bojan knew Jiri (and I think even how they met), but I don't think they appear in Sonja's chapters.(less)

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I read the book thoroughly but in a single reading I could not find the reason of leaving a three years old daughter, she must have been the dearest thing in her life, to be taken care of by a drunkard brutal father, except her husband was a drunkard. I'm confused here, why she, a mother, left her and vanished into a blizzard ?

Sue Maria simply could not forgive herself and in her confused guilty mind she could not face a happy situation in her life. Sad as it is, it happen. As a…moreMaria simply could not forgive herself and in her confused guilty mind she could not face a happy situation in her life. Sad as it is, it happen. As a 12 year old seeing all the cruelty, she could have blamed herself for not stopping it, or whatever. There was a very slight hint in the book, when the first and only time Bojan remembers their sexual life and wonders why Maria was angry, after he made her happy...(less)

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Unanswered Questions (1)

Can anyone tell me who was the father of Sonja's baby? I must have snoozed through some part, because all I can remember is the scene where she tells Bojan she is expecting, and the knowledge that Helvi and Jiri are aware and are helping her.

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