SuitabookTwice shy
Patrick Freivald
- Reading
- Check in around the first discussion of Ani’s death and condition, then pause after the self-defence incident to talk about intent, responsibility and alternatives. Leave room to revisit whether the ending resolves the cure or danger.
- Themes
- Identity and self-acceptance: The book addresses identity and self-acceptance; the detail of how it is developed remains unclear. The book does not clearly resolve its stance on this.
- Stigma and belonging: The book addresses stigma and belonging; the detail of how it is developed remains unclear. The social rejection is presented as an obstacle in Ani’s life, but there is not enough detail to establish the book’s broader judgement of the people involved.
- Responsibility under threat: Dylan becomes obsessed with Ani and death; Ani bites him in self-defence, after which the possibility of wider danger is raised. The book leaves its stance open to more than one reading.
- Worth knowing
- Be ready to discuss death, a zombie virus, social persecution, controlling parenting, obsession and a bite described as self-defence. The emotional weight of abandonment and fear may matter as much as the horror imagery.