I don't know about this book...did his Dad make him think he was really a good guy?

[Tiana]

This book kind of confuses you because i don;t think you can ever really get a clear picture abou what's going on in it? I think maybe his Dad was the reason why he thought he did nothing wrong the first time he raped Gigi Boudakin?(sorry if spelling was incorrect) did his Dad, like what his sister said, really just let him believe what he wanted to. Could tha be the reason maybe? Idk. plz let me know what you think if you think something.

[Heena]

Kier raped Gigi once, but the rest of the book was flashbacks that led up to that part. I think Kier believed what he wanted to, and his dad didn't discourage him. For example, when he hurt that football player, Kier kept telling himself that it was okay 'cuz the player had forgiven him. But the readers are supposed to figure out later that it wasn't okay. His dad didn't really try to make Kier realize his wrongdoings though. Does this make sense? Hope it helps.

[Richelle]

I'm still a little confused about what happened on the last page. Did she knee him in the balls? Did he kill her? Could someone help me out?

[Heena]

I forgot exactly what happened, but he somehow came to his senses and realized what he had done. He was just overcome by shock and she left him there.

[Laurie]

The way I understood the end of the book is that Kier tries to convince Gigi that he did not rape her. He wants her to believe that he is a good guy. Kier kisses her and kisses her eye just as he did the first time the "slept" together. He feels that her eye is open and he kisses her open eye, which freaks him out. So he tries to forget about it and moves in on Gigi again...he starts to rape her for the second time, but as she lays there completely zoned out he realizes what he is doing. The book ends abruptly with Kier realizing that he is not as good of a guy as he wants to believe he is and he resolves to wait for the others (Carl, Gigi's dad, Kier's dad) to realize it too when they find Gigi gone and him curled up alone on the bed. He realizes he has to face what he has done and how much he lied to himself.

[Laurie]

My biggest problem with this book is that it doesn't move in a linear fashion. The flashbacks of different time periods makes it difficult to follow the story. Very confusing.

I think you are right that Kier's dad didn't encourage Kier to see things as they really are; to see himself as he really is. Fran knew this and so did Mary, so they moved to get away from the alcoholic behaviors and disillusioned perceptions Ray had.

[Denise]

I agree with Laurie, it was difficult the way the book jumped around. I've read a few books written in this style, but they're always a bit difficult to follow.

The way I understood the ending was pretty much he snapped out of it and realized what he was doing. Its interesting to see how the characters in the book are not what Kier believes in the beginning, he thinks his father is perfect and believes everything..not even realizing that alcohol was a problem. Sadly, I bet there are some students that also do not see alcoholic binges with or without their parents as a problem. The whole story changes at the end so dramatically.