Eclectic Readers discussion

In Heft, Liz Moore gives us two parallel stories about outsiders Arthur and Kel, connected by their different dealings with loneliness and addictions. We see how those issues affected them, but how did the book affect you?

was it just me but I felt slightly melancholy the whole book. even when something happy or cute happened.

I agree - the whole book had a sad tone, though I felt the ending gave a sense of hope.

I think the melancholy results from the overall lives of the characters. They both battle dark forces that cannot be easily avoided--Kel with his mother and all that that entails, the Arthur with his weight. Both produce a sense of profound isolation and loneliness for the two characters, and it's going to take both of them a long time, if ever, to get over these hurdles to find some kind of happiness that will sustain them. I think, too, that the book ends of a very hopeful note; possibly a new beginning for both Kel and Arthur and even Yolanda. It's not a happy book. One can only hope that perhaps in a sequel, if Moore were to decide to write one, that the relationships might begin to restore some wholeness to these characters. See what good Yolanda did for Arthur. Perhaps adding Kel to the "family" will produce every more positive vibes.

I should check the discussion boards more often. Bob's comment was great.