Artifex answers “What was missing in Vanessa's childhood...”

A Goodreads user asked this question about My Dark Vanessa:

What was missing in Vanessa's childhood that made her such easy pickings? I kept waiting for some psychological explanation from her therapist. Vanessa was an only child and, except for a mother who was annoyingly intrusive and sometimes critical, there was no abuse, nothing to make her crave such intense "adoration," no explanation for her being so easily manipulated.

Artifex Teenagers can feel lonely, misunderstood, so when an adult pays attention to them, it makes them feel special, like they matter, like adults. It was o…moreTeenagers can feel lonely, misunderstood, so when an adult pays attention to them, it makes them feel special, like they matter, like adults. It was obvious that Vanessa's parents, especially the mother, didn't really listen to her, so she turned to someone who would. Predators know this and that's why they take advantage. That's the whole point of "grooming." It's brainwashing and manipulation, and no teenager has the life experience to know that that is what's happening.(less)

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