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After finishing this book, all I can say is that it made me so uncomfortable. The weird incestual undertones were so strange. The Oedipus complex truly was strong with this one, and also why would the mom do all that with her son there...
I had a big issue with Homs, and the way his character was treated. Being the only black boy there and the emphasis on how he was black just rubbed me the wrong way. Also the way the others treat him too.
I was suspicious of the relationship between him and his mother from the beginning and I genuinely don’t know what to think, as in it sort of felt weird and incestuous but I’m not totally sure. At times, his mom is totally normal and does motherly things, but because I’m reading from Agostino’s viewpoint I cannot tell. Maybe I’m actually imagining things and making shit up. Like, I genuinely cannot imagine why you would decide to fool around in the water with a man while your son is watching on a boat. I don’t think that’s normal or okay but what do I know I guess. The way Agostino describes things probably is the reasoning behind why I think the mother is also a part of the problem.
I think the themes of alienation (sorta) and growing up sort of spoke to me the most? His mother’s relationship with the young man pushed him away from her and led to him hanging out with the boys and Saro (fuck you Saro, die). The boys don’t really seem to think of him as one of them as his social standing differs greatly. Agostino can’t really go back to hanging out with the other wealthy kids after hanging with the boys as he feels he’s been changed too much perhaps? Or does he think he’s grown up more after hanging around with them? I feel like he doesn’t really have someone he can truly confide in.
I wanna pop my discussion question in here:
At what point in an individual’s life do they become an adult (or a “man/woman”) ?
I don’t really understand Agostino’s desire to become a man. I’m also not sure what ties virginity to growing up. I’m an adult according to the law, but I don’t really feel like one yet and I honestly don’t feel like I’ve really grown up at all. At what point did Agostino become a man? Can he share some tips for becoming an adult?
On second thought, I don’t want advice from this guy.
