Given the title of the book, and a possible metaphorical link between losing skin and losing identity, living without identity and in anonymity under a Causeway using an assumed name

Good thought. Here it seems as if he has lost his identity but does not know what to replace it with. He is drifting in a land of no identity. Maybe, like the iguana, this is the moodiness of an unsettled state as he sheds his old skin and discovers the new? His day dreams of travel and having a place of his own shows that he longs for something more.

The fact that he turns to Rabbit for help in the decision to allow Larry to stay indicates that he does have some desire for a connection, for some kind of human relationship.

The picture that life under the Causeway paints is of a type of wilderness, a wilderness in the middle of a noisy chaotic city, and the tent and eating beans out of a can adds to this feeling.

Life under the Causeway is very much a wilderness, a human wilderness, a very unsafe and unsettled place where no one would choose to be if they had other choices. Perhaps human relationship is possible in this environment but trust levels are very low so really its every man for himself, survival of the fittest, not unlike the animal kingdom. The Kid may have vague hopes of something better but I think he has no confidence that he could really achieve that 'something', just distant dreams over seemingly insurmountable barriers.

At first I thought Banks was just using the nickname as a disguise so the character wouldn't feel so exposed, but after reading a few chapters I started to think that perhaps it was actually more of a description of the character. He seems, somehow, frozen in time. He is a case of arrested development, never having matured. He doesn't appear to have acquired a sense of where he belongs in the world.

Also, the use of the nickname makes us more sympathetic towards the Kid when it comes to sexuality. We can forgive a kid much more than we can forgive a man.

After these 4 chapters, did anybody pick up on WHY 'The Kid' was charged with this crime? The only thing I can see so far is he was watching porn on the computer.

And this mother of his? What mother tells her teenage boy she likes black men 'cause they have bigger sex organs? That's thoroughly irresponsible!

It's a good story, so far.

My other nit with his mother is what a ditz she is ... putting an animal in a suitcase to not only smuggle it over the border, but move the iguana from its natural environment!

Not to speak of the ditzes who sell such creatures to the tourists - geesh!

They make good pets, I understand. I have a picture of one I took in the park -a really beautiful animal riding on his owner's shoulder.

WildCityWoman wrote:After these 4 chapters, did anybody pick up on WHY 'The Kid' was charged with this crime? The only thing I can see so far is he was watching porn on the computer.

And this mother of his? What mother tells her teenage boy she likes black men 'cause they have bigger sex organs? That's thoroughly irresponsible!

It's a good story, so far.

The reason for his arrest isn't disclosed until later, when he finally tells his story to the Prof.
I'm glad you're enjoying the book.

giselle wrote:When reading a book where the best friend of the central characters is an iguana (maybe his only real friend), I figured best to know a bit more about iguanas. My starting point is that iguanas, like other reptiles shed skin (don’t we all?) … but reptiles shed in a more conspicuous way and perhaps more frequently than other creatures. Given the title of the book, and a possible metaphorical link between losing skin and losing identity, living without identity and in anonymity under a Causeway using an assumed name … I looked up a couple of internet items on iguanas and shedding of skin.

So I guess it's obvious - the iguana who sheds its skin is metaphoric/symbolic to The Kid, who is simply trying to shed his skin - his life and become someone new?

I think so, anyway.

I think the use of this creature as a pet makes the novel interesting from the get go - I was not happy to see the animal's demise.

I'm trying to finish this book today - it's due at the library tomorrow, with no renewals allowed - grrrrr!

Wouldn't mind doing some more books by this author.

WildCityWoman wrote:I'm trying to finish this book today - it's due at the library tomorrow, with no renewals allowed - grrrrr!

Wouldn't mind doing some more books by this author.

I'm glad to hear that you're enjoying the book. Look for others by Banks at your library and let me know when you'd like to discuss another one. We can set up an alternate discussion site; it doesn't have to be a main forum discussion.