Marybeth answers “With"part 11", is there author's intention...”

Jenn S asked this question about The Friend:

With"part 11", is there author's intention to create ambiguity about whether the friends really did die, or whether the book was just the narrator's "it's a wonderful Life"-type experiment? Since this part was not the end, I had doubt

Marybeth There was a reviewer who detrimentally described the penultimate chapter in pretty graphic/ demoralizing terms as the ultimate author's ego stroke. I …moreThere was a reviewer who detrimentally described the penultimate chapter in pretty graphic/ demoralizing terms as the ultimate author's ego stroke. I went on to ask him 'where is this twist you write so eloquently regarding found in the novel?' I didn't see a twist. I saw her conceptualizing her main character, setting the scene so vividly that I almost felt like an underemployed/curious housemaid who only took the job working for 'The Friend' so that I could eavesdrop on conversations that I knew would never be a part of my daily life otherwise. What a book, thank you Asia for your answer too. (less)

flag

Joseph Pfeffer Yes. The chapter is not a "twist." It's the narrator's ultimate fantasy of keeping the writer ("You") alive. She makes him weaker, more vulnerable, le ...more
Nov 01, 2018 02:22PM · 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