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What are your thoughts on Adam's fantasies of his mother and jealousy of his father? Based on the various elements of the book (such as how his repulsion of Vikki was explained as being genetic), would you consider this integral to the plot? Or did you get the feeling this was added for just shock value and not essential for the overall development of the story?

I have only read the sample, so cannot speak for the entire story. I suppose every author relates to the Oedipus complex and would use it if the opportunity arose. It does have shock value. It is a good question, and If I read more, I shall look for the answer.

Abacus wrote: ↑01 Feb 2020, 14:11 I have only read the sample, so cannot speak for the entire story. I suppose every author relates to the Oedipus complex and would use it if the opportunity arose. It does have shock value. It is a good question, and If I read more, I shall look for the answer.

Thanks for your reply. Honestly, I find this element quite off-putting. Just curious to hear from others.

I think this was part of Adam not understanding who he was and why he would be attracted to his mom. This added to the readers' first impression of Adam as being a dark, moody, and a possibly evil guy, though he fought his feelings. I was glad when Adam found out who his mom was and why he had been attracted to her.

I'm finding it rather strange and can't possibly figure out why it's important to the plot. I am not yet done with the book, so maybe my view on it will change. But for now, I remain skeptical for sure.

Though the this MILG issue is controversial and sensitive at the same time, it is also very intriguing and unusual to be tackled in a novel. I would like to read this book and probably do my research also regarding this issue on mental health.

In my opinion it doesn’t necessarily add to the plot but more of a character development tool for Adam. It was slightly distracting as well and could have been left out or presented in a different way.

That was the only part of the book I didn't like. If it had not had the sexual undertone then I would have dismissed the jealousy being equal to a spoiled person saying " me me me ."

I found it quite jarring at first (I also briefly wondered what I'd gotten myself into), but I thought the author did a good job in explaining it. It made Adam's character development much more noticeable throughout the book. Definitely a strange choice, but she managed it pretty well.

I found it quite off-putting too. I think it was the result of the well-known writer's advice: hook your readers with the first 10 pages. But I think she messed it up, because it didn't hook me at all, quite the contrary.

What are your thoughts on Adam's fantasies of his mother and jealousy of his father?

There's a psychological theory behind this called the Oedipus Complex. The idea is that in childhood, kids get attached to the parent of the opposite sex and find the parent of the same sex to be a "rival" of sorts. Now, this was initially produced by Freud who is, at this point, generally ignored because his theories were so sexually based.
The point of bringing this up is because your above question reminded me of it. I'm curious is the author is aware of the complex and tried to work it in the book. I'm also not a dude, so I can't attest to this, but perhaps it happens more often than we realize and the author decided to draw attention to it rather than avoid it?
Either way, it is definitely uncomfortable for me to read. The other comments I'm reading seem to feel this way too.

LV2R wrote: ↑02 Feb 2020, 00:26 I think this was part of Adam not understanding who he was and why he would be attracted to his mom. This added to the readers' first impression of Adam as being a dark, moody, and a possibly evil guy, though he fought his feelings. I was glad when Adam found out who his mom was and why he had been attracted to her.

I agree that it definitely added to the impression of Adam as dark and moody; possibly, even, in a mentally questionable state. I'm just not sure it was actually necessary to the plot. It seems there were plenty of other ways to get that across. Not my cup of tea!

Ever_Reading wrote: ↑02 Feb 2020, 01:55 I'm finding it rather strange and can't possibly figure out why it's important to the plot. I am not yet done with the book, so maybe my view on it will change. But for now, I remain skeptical for sure.

Thanks for responding. I'd love to hear your thoughts after you've finished the book.

Misael wrote: ↑02 Feb 2020, 08:26 Though the this MILG issue is controversial and sensitive at the same time, it is also very intriguing and unusual to be tackled in a novel. I would like to read this book and probably do my research also regarding this issue on mental health.

This is true, that it is unusual to be tackled in a novel--particularly a young adult novel. Not sure, IMO, if it's appropriate for teens.

lwahls2 wrote: ↑02 Feb 2020, 08:37 In my opinion it doesn’t necessarily add to the plot but more of a character development tool for Adam. It was slightly distracting as well and could have been left out or presented in a different way.

Thanks for responding! Yeah, I thought the author's presentation of Adam as having some issues was sufficient without that added element. But that's my opinion.