Natalie 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.

Natalie I finished this book a few day ago. I was sort of surprised to see peoles reaction In regards to her lack of trama/drama in her earlier childhood, I t…moreI finished this book a few day ago. I was sort of surprised to see peoles reaction In regards to her lack of trama/drama in her earlier childhood, I think it was by (author) desingn. Any young woman is vunrable to the maschinations of a much older man. The one thing I did pick up is there is a scene with her mother prior to the start of the hard core abuse where she is laying on the couch with her mom and her mome insists wedging her feet beneath her butt on,another, where Vanessa indicates that she feels sad/uncomfortable when thinking of he mom smelling her scraf while she is away. These are physical boundreis. In a small way it shows the mom not respecting physical boundries with her daugher. It may not be a huge thing but the aurthro took the time to include these scenes. Prehaps, for Vanessa, some one pushing past your physical boundries as expression of love is normal. Also she was diffrent then the other kids at Browick, she was the only member of her faimly to attend the shcool where as her Jenny had faimly connections. Strange was not going to screw around with a kid whose faimly was well connected to Browick. This woudl be a huge obstacle if/ when things went south with the student he was abusing. She was his perfect vivctim. (less)

flag

Julia I'd forgotten about that scene with her mother, but now I am remembering feeling uncomfortable with that moment. A small one, but it could have eased ...more
Oct 06, 2021 12:44PM · 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