I find that calling him "The Kid" allows me to connect to him more easily than if he had a name that may not be familiar to me. The lack of specific racial description of him allows for an easier connection to the character for any reader of this story. This character feels like he is either still very young or has not quite matured to his age level yet. His "youthful" characteristics also make his name very fitting.

I am interested in finding out more about his crime and whether or not his mother or any other small familial conections may have rejected him after his incarceration. I wonder why he has nowhere else to stay. There are halfway houses for sex offenders as well as apartment complexes often known by sex offenders where one can find an apartment. As a social worker, I am interested to find out where the storyline goes with his crime and specifically the services he receives, or doesn't.

I think this story is well set up with the characters name and living situation. The use of a voiceless best friend will hopefully allow us to hear some of the characters depest thoughts as this story progresses.

lindad_amato wrote: If you have read any of Banks other books you may have noticed his use of alternate names for his protagonists. Other than the obvious, why do you think the Kid uses an alternate name?

This is my first time reading any Russel Banks work. I'm already enjoying the writing style. Finally got the book yesterday from the library.

I must say this is really out of my comfort zone. Who in their right mind wants to sympathize with a sex offender or pedophile? I am quite narrow minded in that regard. But I have a feeling that I will have some thought processing going on while reading this.

I think that by using the name Kid we the reader will be able to look at him without the hostility that we would normally have.

I am curious to know how long sex offenders have to wear that ankle bracelet. Or as the Kid said being a "legal electronic prisoner".

I'm looking forward to getting to know the other characters that we have met so far. Larry Somerset seems to be the low man on the totem pole as far as offender hierarchy goes.

My guess so far in why the Kid got incarcerated is because he lured a young girl on the internet. That or an undercover cop of sorts. And I don't think this story will have a happy ending.

So far my least favorite character would have to be the mother Adele. I don't usually put blame on a parent if a kid turns out bad. Its not always black and white. But in this case I will make an exception to the rule. She is a piece of work.

Page 14 She believes that she loves her son and has done everything for him that a single parent could and has sacrificed much of her youth for him and therefore cannot be blamed for the way he's turned out

Yea right!

realiz wrote: His pet, Iggy, fits in nicely with this surface life. His best friend is silent, asks no questions, but will always be there. Interesting about how their relationship started, with Iggy latching on and refusing to give up his grip. Perhaps that's what we all need, someone who will not give up on us.

Excellent point Realiz. Also Iggy cannot judge him but is there to protect him. Better then a Pitt Bull. A silent partner that will stand on guard. Iggy can shed his skin, will he be able to show the Kid how to shed his skin and become a new person?

Okay here is my narrow mindedness coming out, but I was always under the impression that sex offenders cannot change their ways.

Damifino wrote:So far my least favorite character would have to be the mother Adele. I don't usually put blame on a parent if a kid turns out bad. Its not always black and white. But in this case I will make an exception to the rule. She is a piece of work.

Page 14 She believes that she loves her son and has done everything for him that a single parent could and has sacrificed much of her youth for him and therefore cannot be blamed for the way he's turned out

Yea right!

Yes, the mother is a piece of work. The Kid would have been better off if he had been taken away from her when he was little.

Damifino wrote:

lindad_amato wrote: If you have read any of Banks other books you may have noticed his use of alternate names for his protagonists. Other than the obvious, why do you think the Kid uses an alternate name?

This is my first time reading any Russel Banks work. I'm already enjoying the writing style. Finally got the book yesterday from the library.

I must say this is really out of my comfort zone. Who in their right mind wants to sympathize with a sex offender or pedophile? I am quite narrow minded in that regard. But I have a feeling that I will have some thought processing going on while reading this.

I think that by using the name Kid we the reader will be able to look at him without the hostility that we would normally have.

I am curious to know how long sex offenders have to wear that ankle bracelet. Or as the Kid said being a "legal electronic prisoner".

I'm looking forward to getting to know the other characters that we have met so far. Larry Somerset seems to be the low man on the totem pole as far as offender hierarchy goes.

My guess so far in why the Kid got incarcerated is because he lured a young girl on the internet. That or an undercover cop of sorts. And I don't think this story will have a happy ending.

I'm glad you're enjoying Banks writing. I've read several of his books and have enjoyed each of them. In this book and in "Rule of the Bone" I was amazed at how well he depicts the thoughts of a young person.