Michelle Lynn 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.

Michelle Lynn I think he may have picked up on the fact that didn't have many friends at this boarding school and preyed on her loneliness. He definitely used her i…moreI think he may have picked up on the fact that didn't have many friends at this boarding school and preyed on her loneliness. He definitely used her interest in the subject he was teaching to lure her in. I have actually heard (real, not fictional) stories that have happened that way; one of which happened at my friend's school with the band director and a flute player - being able to find a person's passion, telling them how gifted and talented they are, showing them special attention. He (Strane) was definitely very good at how he went about things, and "testing the waters and his boundaries." (less)

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