Questions About A Very Nice Girl

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about A Very Nice Girl, please sign up.

Answered Questions (3)

I'm not sure I understood the ending, which is so frustrating! Could someone please explain it to me? Thanks.

Lisa I realise this is three years too late but I just read the novel and can't stop thinking about it. The most obvious reading of the ending is that the …moreI realise this is three years too late but I just read the novel and can't stop thinking about it. The most obvious reading of the ending is that the money symbolises the power imbalance between them. Max gave her the money in order to control her, to make her his "kept woman", and this led Anna into losing her sense of identity. Anna's desire to return the money is an assertion of her independence and his refusal/lukewarm acceptance of it is Max's rejection of that and a way to maintain a hold over her.

Another reading might be that the money becomes the symbol the misunderstandings at the heart of their relationship. Throughout the novel, Max is never acting in the way Anna expects him to and Anna admits few times that she's exaggerating how awful he was. If we take Max at his word, the money means nothing to him and he was never knowingly trying to "buy" Anna. His verbal acceptance of the money but disinterest in physically picking up the envelope shows that he's still not moving to the script that Anna expects or wants him to. She still doesn't know who he really is.

The novel ends before we can see Anna's reaction to Max reaching out to take her. We don't know if this is them getting back together or whether Anna will refuse him or whether she will take the money back or not. I like to think, whatever happens that Anna will be able to maintain her sense of self outside of him.(less)

flag

This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

Lisa

This answer contains spoilers… (view spoiler)

flag

How old do you think someone should be to read this book?

Oceane Hm, I would say that technically, sex is definitely mentioned, but it's not "too" graphic/detailed.
I personally feel like you shouldn't read this book…moreHm, I would say that technically, sex is definitely mentioned, but it's not "too" graphic/detailed.
I personally feel like you shouldn't read this book as a minor, but that's me. Especially because the book never actually goes into why the relationship is bad(less)

flag

Unanswered Questions (1)

How did it end?

Answer

Flag

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more