4. compare and contrast Truant and Zampono's version of the story.

[Kristel]

Compare and Contrast Johnny Truant’s and Zampano’s version of the story. What kinds of readers are each? For example, look at how Zampano close-reads on p. 23. Compare with Johnny’s reaction to the text on p. 25.

[[deleted user]]

I would say the effect is the same on both of them, they both become virtual prisoners in their homes after having read the manuscript. Zampano appears to have verified the story while Truant can find no verification at all.

[Patrick]

I agree with BW. I nearly became prisoner of my hotel room in Manila while reading this (of course, I am kidding). To some extent, Truant verified Zampano's story (he mentioned in the preface that most, if not all, the footnotes refer to articles/books that did not exist), yet he is still engrossed by it.

[Tracy]

I agree- and would like to add that it seems there is no reliable narrator in this book at all, including the characters in the Navidson house.

[Pip]

Zampano is more measured and intellectual while Truant is speaking more in the vernacular and informally.