Maine Mom asked this question about Absolution:
Did anyone else expect some more final revelations about what drove Charlene? There seemed to be clues that she had some inner life that motivated her, but they never came. Nor any info about affairs and what they might or might not have meant. Although I recognized either one might have seemed trivial amid the novel's brilliant subtlety.
Susanna Alice McDermott is the queen of subtlety and I agree that it can be frustrating. I think the she wants the reader to name the source of Charlene's mot…moreAlice McDermott is the queen of subtlety and I agree that it can be frustrating. I think the she wants the reader to name the source of Charlene's motivation. That's actually good writing (in my opinion): creating a character and allowing readers to interact with the persona, drawing their own conclusions based on their own life experiences and knowledge. (less)
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