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This Is How It Always Is,
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Wren O'Brien
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Kelsey
I had a similar impression of the book. I think that Frankel wanted to keep things rather light, or at least light-hearted, for the majority of the book, and therefore "deeper" issues were brushed over in an almost comedic way. The book just sat in a weird place for me of needing-to-be-serious but also not-wanting-to-be-serious. Mr Tongo, for instance, was certainly designed as a means of comedic relief, but instead, I (as I assume other readers as well) just took him as a caricature of a character whose tone resonates louder than his actual words.
Julie
Agree for that instance particularly… but I sensed they were just making it up as they went along, in over their heads and not able to deal with everything. But certainly they should have followed through more with their son THEN instead of finally getting at the truth later. And yes, although Penn sought out support on-line, I felt like finding parents, and children, in a similar situation might have helped them all handle the ‘bumps in the road’. Poppy particularly needed support at age 10!
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