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Lost Memory of Skin, Prt. 1, chapters; 1-4

#104: Jan. - Feb. 2012 (Fiction)
WildCityWoman
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Re: Lost Memory of Skin, Prt. 1, chapters; 1-4

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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.
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Re: Lost Memory of Skin, Prt. 1, chapters; 1-4

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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.
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Re: Lost Memory of Skin, Prt. 1, chapters; 1-4

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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.
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Re: Lost Memory of Skin, Prt. 1, chapters; 1-4

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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.
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Re: Lost Memory of Skin, Prt. 1, chapters; 1-4

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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.
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Re: Lost Memory of Skin, Prt. 1, chapters; 1-4

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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.
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Re: Lost Memory of Skin, Prt. 1, chapters; 1-4

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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.
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Re: Lost Memory of Skin, Prt. 1, chapters; 1-4

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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!
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Re: Lost Memory of Skin, Prt. 1, chapters; 1-4

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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.
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Re: Lost Memory of Skin, Prt. 1, chapters; 1-4

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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.
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