2009-07 Dying Inside: Characters - David Selig

[Stefan, Group Founder + Moderator (Retired)]

What did you think of the main character, David Selig? Did your opinion of him change as you progressed through the book?

[Stefan, Group Founder + Moderator (Retired)]

No takers? Okay, I'll go first then: at first I felt sorry for David - the story focuses on him losing an ability, and the first person perspective really gives an intimate view of that loss... but as the story progresses, I came to the conclusion that he's really a pathetic guy: completely self-centered, unable to build any meaningful relationship (despite his ability!), living a small, empty life. Looking down on almost everyone, even the people who try to help him. Reading this book was an almost uncomfortable experience for me, because you get such a close, intimate view of such a sad human being.

[Elena]

I feel like Stefan. I went into the book thinking this book was supposed to have some kind of deepest meaning, some philosophical message, I don't know why. Truth is I didn't finished it because it was, Stefan pinpointed it, an "uncomfortable experience", and I didn't get what I expected from the experience of knowing everybody's mind.

[Frank]

I loved reading the comments about how being inside Selig's mind is uncomfortable and unsettling. To me, that's what makes the book great. I belive it is an "uncomfortable experience" because it makes us look at parts of our own psyche that we are uncomfortable looking at.

[Jon]

I felt frustration at David's shallowness (when so much depth was possible!). I grew depressed about midway through the book and took a break to read something else to give my poor emotions some time to rejuvenate. Ultimately, I felt compassion for David and relief when the cycle of death and rebirth affirmed itself.