Alison asked:

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5 years ago
18 answers

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Maria

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Jasmine Swaby

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Sally A. Kashatus Enjoyed the book, but the the ending seemed abrupt and disjointed from the family story. I expected more.

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Shauna Manning The ending showed how both Jude and Reese are now accepting of themselves and their bodies. Before, they refused to swim because of their self consciousness. Now, they disrobe and swim and are no longer self conscious. Reese accepts his trans body and identity without fear or shame, and Jude is no longer concerned about how dark her skin is. I thought it was a beautiful ending showing how they both came through obstacles together. Their issues were different but parallel.

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Carolw I was confused by the ending and felt a little disappointed.

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Baileys Bookshelf It felt poetic, but after such a whirlwind of a story I definitely craved more information on what happened. I feel like the ending I wanted for the book would be better for a movie, you know?

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Nancee Thank you to those who answered this question. I missed the symbolism and was not thrilled with the ending. Now I will reread the ending and appreciate the deeper meaning.

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Jaime I have to admit that left me slightly baffled as well. It didn't seem to tie in to the whole story.

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Shelley Water is cleansing, so I think the scene reflected Reese and Jude's relationship's growth. Also, Jude is also cleansing herself from her past in Mallard as well as coming to terms with all the convuluted relationships in her family. Yeah, now I think I get it.I felt that way when I read it. But, then, water is cleansing, so I think the scene reflected Reese and Jude's relationship's growth. Jude is also cleansing herself from her past in Mallard, coming to terms with all the convuluted relationships in her family. Yeah, now I think I get it.

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Natasha It felt like an acceptance of their identity at the end. A sense of freedom found by accepting who they are and being willing to open that up to each other and the environment they are in.

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Mary Beth

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ryan nguyen It could be symbolic as a rebirth (baptism), as their family is Christians, and washing away societal judgement on them.

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Sofía It could be consider as a way for both characters to accept themselves. Reese is no longer ashamed of his own body and Jude is no longer troubled by her skin.

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Andrea Robyn

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Hannah Cheng I expected an ending that was more joined to the overall theme of family and sister ties. Felt like there could’ve been some bigger full circle moment that would’ve ended the book more powerfully and poignantly than it did

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