Suzanne had mentioned the lack of names possibly being used by Banks as a way to drum up sympathy for the men. I think this is definitely a point Banks is making, but I also find it interesting that Kid mentions the new names as liberating. I wonder if maybe the new names may be, in a way, holding them back. They have been stripped of their identities and seem to be relegated to second-class status as Suzanne also mentions. Have these men served their time, as they appear to still be serving it? Is there some other treatment for these men or service society should be giving them, or is the only concern we should have protecting people from possible reoffense of these people?

These men also have very little power in their lives. This is the reason, that I see, they take to the idea of cleaning up the Causeway so readily. They are now being empowered to take on responsibilities that have been taken from them by their previous behaviors. It will be interesting to see how their society turns out and whether the greater town and police accept this new settlement.

I feel like most people like tip change the subject as well when speaking about sex offenses, especially whether they can be rehabilitated. I am not sure of this myself. It is probably easier to ignore the topic than to think about one's own prejudices and potential negative feelings of another human being.

I am quite interested on where the story will go with these men and whether any of the men will reoffend, especially since it is a "law" of the settlement.

Cloudsplitter is one of my all time favorites. I agree, his writing is often beautiful and in Cloudsplitter that is very apparent. I would be interested in discussing it at some point.

Tigerlily,
you raise an interesting point. The men seem to be quick to take up some positive activity. I wonder if it will be sustained. It's difficult enough to keep a well organized social system functioning. Well see how this micro-society goes.

Lindad, it may be especially difficult to keep the current positive society going as they add more and more people. They will need more security and Kid may have to get tougher on who is let in even though there appears not be any other place for these individuals to go.