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Ashley Shea
I have a friend like Nick, and so I immediately feel sympathy for those who are just referred to as "nice" and for the many many references to Nick having no real personality and being powerless. Yes, it can be manipulative and yes, yelling at him feels like kicking a puppy, but I never fail to appreciate my friend's niceness when I need it most. This friend is a treasure to me because when I need him, when I need a sounding board, or a sympathetic ear, he's there and he's a fantastic listener, and he never judges me. There was one reference in the book to Nick listening to Melissa on the phone and reassuring her and Frances thought Nick felt very fulfilled just being there and listening. Some people, that's all they want in life, it gives them purpose.
As far as Melissa, I sadly see myself in her, in a way that highlighted all my negative qualities. I do not think she got a bum rap, I think the negative qualities she possessed got exactly the interpretation they deserved. That said, I think I felt she was the most real. We're not great people, when stuff gets hard, sometimes we take the easy way out (having affairs instead of dealing with her husband's depression), we're selfish. I actually thought the most frustrating character was Frances, who seemed hellbent on misinterpreting Nick's actions (like the time he wanted to stop having sex because she was bawling! And Frances was like "was it not good?" 'why doesn't he want to have sex with me anymore?!') I was mystified as to why she wanted to sabotage every relationship she had. Melissa on the other hand, she was a decent, normal human being that had the same obvious flaws as a lot of the rest of us. I'm very interested (and I know, this is quite an old post) in a discussion about her bum wrap - not being combative, I would love to talk about it.
As far as Melissa, I sadly see myself in her, in a way that highlighted all my negative qualities. I do not think she got a bum rap, I think the negative qualities she possessed got exactly the interpretation they deserved. That said, I think I felt she was the most real. We're not great people, when stuff gets hard, sometimes we take the easy way out (having affairs instead of dealing with her husband's depression), we're selfish. I actually thought the most frustrating character was Frances, who seemed hellbent on misinterpreting Nick's actions (like the time he wanted to stop having sex because she was bawling! And Frances was like "was it not good?" 'why doesn't he want to have sex with me anymore?!') I was mystified as to why she wanted to sabotage every relationship she had. Melissa on the other hand, she was a decent, normal human being that had the same obvious flaws as a lot of the rest of us. I'm very interested (and I know, this is quite an old post) in a discussion about her bum wrap - not being combative, I would love to talk about it.
Flighty_Z
Regarding Nick, I agree with the below comment, he was kind and thoughtful, and I think he wanted to please everyone. I think his issues with depression left him apathetic, and with a large focus on him being dreamy, it took away from his personality at times.
Bobbi was probably my least favourite character. She was blunt and quick to be snarky, which probably made her amusing to those around her. But to me it felt like Frances idolising her, and exaggerating how "hilarious" she is. Its like that scene where they're in a group, and Bobbi is droning on and on, and nobody is really listening, to the point of it feeling uncomfortable. But Frances is pretty much in awe, and repeatedly thinks about how smart Bobbi is, and how she could listen to her forever.
I think I agree about Melissa, as flawed as she (and pretty much everyone) was. Which is why I think it was important that Frances actually acknowledged this at the end. She phones her (for no real reason at first), and ends up just blurting out an apology about judging/envying her so much.
Bobbi was probably my least favourite character. She was blunt and quick to be snarky, which probably made her amusing to those around her. But to me it felt like Frances idolising her, and exaggerating how "hilarious" she is. Its like that scene where they're in a group, and Bobbi is droning on and on, and nobody is really listening, to the point of it feeling uncomfortable. But Frances is pretty much in awe, and repeatedly thinks about how smart Bobbi is, and how she could listen to her forever.
I think I agree about Melissa, as flawed as she (and pretty much everyone) was. Which is why I think it was important that Frances actually acknowledged this at the end. She phones her (for no real reason at first), and ends up just blurting out an apology about judging/envying her so much.
Kelsey
Honestly, I loved Nick. I thought he was receptive and sympathetic, and I found myself just wanting him to be a person in real life that I could be friends with. He reminded me of many people in real life that I'm very fond of/have particular connections, too. As for Bobbi, I actually laughed out loud at some of the things she said, so I do actually think that she was funny. She has a cruel humor, though, and it's generally at the deprivation of others. For instance: "Did your parents have a favorite child? That must have been hard for you." She shows sarcastic wit that is often at other people's expense, and although it's not humorous to all, it's at least humorous to Frances.
Frances
I think Nick was kind and thoughtful (sounds dull, but it counts for a lot), and he and Frances developed a shared humour/repartee that they enjoyed, but ultimately I think that Melissa and Bobbi were forming or pretending to form a close bond with some sexual undertones and that left their respective "partners" Frances and Nick casting about for reassurance that someone found them attractive and valued.
Cari
Nick is often described as handsome but what we see through his interactions with other characters is that he is a considerate, caring and sensitive person who is used to put others needs above his own. While he is moderately famous, he is down to Earth. He knows others consider him attractive but is not vain or conceited. On the contrary, he has a very low self-esteem and suffers from chronic depression.
While everyone is deeply flawed in this story, to me Melissa takes the prize of the most callous. The story opens with her bringing home two pretty, young girls because she is clearly attracted to one of them, Bobbi. She keeps inviting the girls over and openly flirting with Bobbi until eventually Bobbi doesn´t sleep in her bed one night. If she seems so casual about it it's because, as the story confirms later on, she is used to having affairs. The latest and longest was with Nick's good friend.... while Nick was hospitalized! By the time Melissa admits she didn't think that her attractive husband was worthy of anyone's attention, this is old news. Through her actions and through what Bobbi says Melissa has told her, we already know Melissa does not have a high opinion of Nick. To seduce Bobbi, Melissa would complain constantly about her unhappy marriage. Then she changed her tune when she realized Nick was in love with someone else. While Melissa should be the one the reader sympathizes with, her cruelty and manipulative ways make it hard to.
While everyone is deeply flawed in this story, to me Melissa takes the prize of the most callous. The story opens with her bringing home two pretty, young girls because she is clearly attracted to one of them, Bobbi. She keeps inviting the girls over and openly flirting with Bobbi until eventually Bobbi doesn´t sleep in her bed one night. If she seems so casual about it it's because, as the story confirms later on, she is used to having affairs. The latest and longest was with Nick's good friend.... while Nick was hospitalized! By the time Melissa admits she didn't think that her attractive husband was worthy of anyone's attention, this is old news. Through her actions and through what Bobbi says Melissa has told her, we already know Melissa does not have a high opinion of Nick. To seduce Bobbi, Melissa would complain constantly about her unhappy marriage. Then she changed her tune when she realized Nick was in love with someone else. While Melissa should be the one the reader sympathizes with, her cruelty and manipulative ways make it hard to.
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