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What did the exchange between them reveal about either character?
The teens in these chapters are so insufferable.
I felt sorry for them the first time I read the book.
Alison W.:All of the children of the wealthy we see are an interesting category unto themselves.
Why do you think Margaret kind of freaks her out?
The children are really interesting in this whole book.
It really underscores that Alex really doesnt have a family.
Shes truly unnetworked in a way there is something so sad about that.
She sits next to her, closer on the bed.
Lets talk about the scene where Jack goes to the restaurant with Alex and his dad.
How did you feel about this tense moment?
Who was worse behaved of the two?
Matthew:I think the kid ultimately, right?
But ultimately, hes a dick in the way teenage boys are dicks.
Obviously, Alex is thinking the better play here is Dad.
She cant quite work it out.
Shes not wrong to be like,This makes more sense in a different kind of permutation.
Shes like,How can I maximize my advantage?
Hes very clearly acting childish and hes told her hes 19, right?
Theyre all fake friends, but theyre actually competitors and sort of at war with each other.
Thats not this; shes never going to make a real friend in this game.
Alison W.:Its interesting that you saw that as competition.
Its implied that they were doing that, and theywerefriends back in New York.
Yeah, girls in drag as girls.
Allison D.:Love that line.
She doesnt have anyone to keep track of her life with.
This interaction with Dana made me wonder: Does Alex genuinely care for anyone?
Allison D.:I dont think so.
Alison W.:She doesnt even really care for herself.
She spends this whole book in almost willful dissociation.
Brock:I think that comes out, because shes also always talking about forcing herself to smile.
But it almost felt to me like a human, protective impulse toward a child.
Thats as close as we get to her having empathy or compassion.
Brock:I think she says several times she feels something almost like love.
Heres a sampling of your very thoughtful responses to last weeks questions!
I was the least tense reading this section.
Because Alex was alone, I wasnt waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Is she going to steal something?
Is she going to get caught?
What crazy ass decision is she going to make next?
Those questions were largely out of my mind, and I relaxed a bit.
She didnt have to be on or manipulating herself or people.
I feel like shes one misstep away from death and destruction likely at her own hand.
Alexs powers of manipulation come not from an aptitude in obscuring her identity.
Its quite the opposite.
I could envision some alternate timeline where Alex is a better-adjusted, kind nanny pop in.
Also, I am still basically reading this at a steady terror waiting to see whats next.
Alex initially fits in she is young, white, and attractive enough to look like she belongs there.
What misadventure awaits her next?
Donna
This seemed more about the apathetic blindness of the community itself than of Alexs ability to fool people.
The nannies are the only ones paying attention to the world around them.Sam
