Reading this book was like taking a Victorian era's guided tour at a museum showcasing collections of ornamental designs from various cultures, I was particularly impressed by the remarkable level of details and the brilliant use of colors shown in the Celtic and Medieval pieces.
Just some food for thought: I think it's possible that Cathy saw the good in Aron and believed it to be real.
In all her life Cathy thought of every human being to be just as selfish as her, she couldn't see it any other way since she was born devoid of empathy and love. Others might exhibit altruistic behaviors, but her cynical nature compelled her to dig up all the dirt in their lives, and the results confirmed that they were every bit just as rotten as her beneath the surface.
When Cathy and her son Aron eventually met each other, Aron erupted in anger and was distraught because this newfound reality shattered the idealized version of mother he had painted for himself. In other words, Aron could not conceive such evil to exist the same way his mom did not believe in love and empathy.
Perhaps Cathy recognized something in her son, and understood the good in him to be as raw and authentic as her wickedness - both of which belong to an extreme end of a spectrum.
*Before Cathy died, she remembered of her imaginary friend Alice, who was described as someone she could always lean to for comfort and support as a child. I wonder what triggered this memory to resurface, and does this imaginary friend entail that Cathy might have had the capacity for love?
Beautifully written. This is my first time leaving a review on Goodreads, and I want to give the author a big thumbs up for delivering such a compelling and thought provoking work. I especially love the dynamics between all these characters, peering into the perspectives of different individuals is refreshing and makes me emphasize with them. My only regret is not having read this book back in middle school.
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