Question A

[Jonetta]

We learn at the beginning of the story what is Liam’s obsession and where it started. It features a conversation he had with his father, Paul, who lit the fire. What impressions did you gain about Paul Rogan?

[Sharon]

Paul Rogan wasn't a good dad, in my opinion. It seems like he withheld affection and praise from his children to start unhealthy competitions. The Rogans are the complete opposite of the Kincaids who work hard to support one another.

[Anita]

The Rogan parents, both of them, should never have had children, they were selfish and egoistical. They had no clue what it took to raise children. I can see one child, Molly and maybe another, Duke. Okay, you have a girl and a boy. Why they didn't stop there is unbelievable. So, they have four more and no interest at all in raising them. They didn't even have a nanny. They shirked their responsibility and put it all on Molly.

[Robin]

I agree. Paul Rogan was not a good father and his wife was not a good mother. It seems like they were too busy with their own interests, inventions, and treasure hunt to pay any attention to their kids.

[Jonetta]

Up until now, when the Rogan siblings have spoken of their parents, they’ve always been a bit vague about them. Now I understand why. They were a distant presence in their lives. The kids admired what they accomplished but it was more like they were on the sidelines.

It’s no wonder this family lacks cohesion. I think they’d be in the same place if they hadn’t died.

I’m not ready to say they were bad parents because all of the siblings were smart and had incredible drives to excel. But they certainly weren't the primary forces in their children’s lives and they seem to have raised themselves. I think the kids were all trying to be great at what they did to get their parents’ attention.

When I consider that Carlo Romero was Paul’s best friend, that’s pretty telling as Carlo left a lot to be desired. However, on the other hand, Paul and Sheila took in JT Caruso when he had no one else so there’s that.

Wow.

[Anita]

Jonetta wrote: "I’m not ready to say they were bad parents because all of the siblings were smart and had incredible drives to excel. But they certainly weren't the primary forces in their children’s lives and they seem to have raised themselves. I think the kids were all trying to be great at what they did to get their parents’ attention...."

That was their genes, not the parenting of Paul and Sheila. When they took in JT, what was one more? It's not like they did more than give him a safe place to sleep and food to eat. He was grateful to be anywhere else.

I don't mean to be so hard on Paul and Sheila, but, I believe, their neglect and gross inattention lead directly to Molly's death and how Liam and Eden turned out and I have a very hard time getting past that, even though they were brilliant inventors and had scary smart kids.

[Sharon]

I had the impression that Paul and Sheila didn't show their children love just because. It felt like they only acknowledged a child when they were successful or shined in some way. It is a wonder that it is only Liam and Eden who hated their siblings. The way the parents had their kids compete for praise, they should all hate one another.