The ending?
How would you have ended it?
How many tissues did you use?
Have your feelings changed about Max's dad. We had a pretty lively discussion going about him in week two.
Did Matthew's "theory" help anyone?
Final thoughts?
How many will seek another novel by Matthew?
Matthew, did any of our discussion surprise you?
Do you have anything you'd like to add?
We'll dedicate the whole of next week to say thank you but I wanted to say and early thanks!!
Deb,
ReplyDeleteI just loved this book, and I for one will be on the lookout for more by Matthew. I have to admit that I'm really glad that no one else was around, it would have been hard to explain away tears for the death of an imaginary friend......
I am softening towards Max's dad, but I'd need to see a follow-up book to know that he has truly accepted the real-life Max vs. his personal version of what Max should be. Of course he loves him and is ecstatic that he's home safe, but day to day living is what will matter now. I think that to some extent we all live under our parents' illusions of who and what we should be, but in Max's case it would be critical that his parents accept his reality so that they can help him develop. For instance, my mom wanted us to be cheerleaders/fashion models - well, that didn't go too far. I suspect she'd still like that, but it hasn't and never will slow any of us down. ;-)
Thanks again, Matthew, for your participation, and thanks Deb for an interesting book!
Elaine
Thanks Elaine, me too for Matthew's other works.
DeleteI've never quite read a voice like Budo very unique very special.
more later :)
deb
Disclaimer. - typed on tiny keyboard
DeleteEarlier we discussed that this book was one about mortality. This has definitely been proven as we have watched the demize of Budo and his friends throughout the book. It is also a book on how we face and deal with the unknownness of death....hence the ending, I loved it.
But the deepest level of the book I think is the taleof morality. (Yes morality notmortality). The decision that Budo and his friends had to make on behalf of their persons to safe guard them were way above their pay grade and constantly reflected selflessness and a deep love for their real friend. Who was it that said "Greater love has no man than that he is willing to lay down his life for a friend."? How true of these imaginagy beings. I
I love the bonding that happens betqeen them and how they. Join together to find a solution or get help for each other. It is a wholes 6th demensional world floating just beyond our vision and hearing. WOW. I a lso love that. Matthew alloed tge immaginaris to mourn for each other. It is almost like he gave them a soul. In a sense they were seaching for the same things wedo, feel thesame things we feel, but have a reality and world limited by the real person who created us (their god being). But they still lomged for a heavenand alife after death that would zet them free and bring them joy....or was I reading that wrong, Matthew?
Now to Dad---- I never said Dad didn't love the kid, he just. Hadn't j7stified his "son" and the reality os of who and whathis sone wascapable of being. He, dad had created something less than percect. When he saw Max through that front window he saw HIS SON and took care that he got himback. Original issues have still notbeen addressed, but maybe Dad will be more aware of how deeply he does love him and bewilling to try a little harder. I know it is easy for guys to back away when they CAN'T fix it...but maybe. I hope. He real7zed Max didn't need fixing....just protecting and lovinh. That Dad did verywell. That evening. And scored points with Max.
As to Budo....Max may never remember him, but I have a feeling that there will always beanothwr little. Budo. Hanging with Max to help with the big stuff....juset an older Budo that helps Max with a whole new set of fears and questions.
Karen
Karen, you're forgiven and since I'm slightly dyslexic I seem to understand your comment. Really though we understand that you're doing all your commenting on a phone lol until you get "connected".
DeleteGreat and lovely comments.
I was happy that no one was around when I was writing those last couple chapters! I had tears in my eyes, too, Elaine.
DeleteI think you are right. They sold me a dyslexic phone!!! It cant spell either!
ReplyDeleteKaren
Yeah!!! a real computer today!. Deb, I have loved the reading of this book. There are so many levels of the story happening all at once. Even though the story is told from the viewpoint of our wonderful Budo, so many of us get lost in the story of the brave little boy (Max) and his odyssey as he finds his way through life and it's trials as an autistic child --- and then add in the extra kink of being kidnapped by a deranged teacher.
ReplyDeleteBut Matthew also gave us wonderful glimpses into the world of the school teacher who loved and understood her special student and what wonderful and special people first grade teachers can be. I know my first grade teacher is still my favorite teacher from my past. Mrs. Cooper was left-handed, like me, and understood that I wanted to learn to read NOW... so she let me soar... and read I did -- all the first and second grade books by the end of the first semester. She knew I was extra small, so she brought a big phone book from home to put under my feet so they would be "flat on the floor", like everyone elses. And she always had time to make sure everyone understood what she was teaching. 20 years later, I had the opportunity to go back and find Mrs Cooper, still teaching first grade, and I went to her school and stopped by her class to watch her for a bit and to say thank you for the solid start and love for learning that she instilled in me and the others in our class. Looking in the door, you could tell that her students still loved her and her class was still just as orderly and full of learning materials as when I was a little girl.
Finally, Matthew gave us a glimpse into the life of being a parent to a special child and the dynamics that happen in a marriage and between people who are struggling with what is best for a child who has a special need that they do not comprehend and do not know how to treat. He handled all of this with a sensitivity and much humor that could only be seen best through the innocent eyes of a child.
I found the second reading of this book as entertaining and thought provoking as the first reading and actually found myself gleaning far more depth with the second reading, as I was acquainted with the story and was able to enjoy the depth and breadth of the characters. Thank you Matthew for such a masterful work. It is one that will sit on my re-read shelf for many years...and Budo will live in my heart for all time.
I think we all wish we could have our own little Budo on our shoulder, to brighten our day and whisper in our ear...there are days it would sure be a big help...and there are days, I would love to have someone else to blame. LOL
Karen
Very well said Karen, I too got more depth perception of my own during the second reading even knowing what would happen to Dee I still was shocked and that's the testament of a truly wonderful storyteller that I was "again" shocked by the actions I knew were coming. Yes it was a through the looking glass as we peer into these lives and how they deal with these unique situations.
Deletethanks for reading it again I'm as always grateful
I'm both stunned and honored that you'd read the book a second time after such a short period of time. That means a lot. So happy you enjoyed my story!
DeleteI think we all enjoyed your story Matthew and we'll be looking for more of yours in the future.
Deletedeb