In and Out of Step discussion

Hi, I wish now I'd read this book with a buddy at least. There is so much in it that I want to discuss. It's hard when you don't want to include spoilers for others who haven't read it. If anyone out there wants to discuss perhaps we should use code words. Open to suggestions.

Yes, I've been thinking about this issue since reading the novel. I agree we need a code in case there are discussion readers who haven't read the novel. Fun!

So, is what happens to Cassie with JD the other end of the spectrum of what happens to Sam with MT? I'm thinking the nightmares are the clue here.

Yes, I think so too. I missed it the first reading. After all, I know women who had similar first sexual encounters but assumed responsibility rather than recognising what had happened. On rereading, I saw what Knight had subtlety created. It becomes clear when you compare all the scenes that deal with sexual encounters. It is so true to life it is shocking! This is a great book, isn't it!

Hey, did I miss something?

I thought the other end of the spectrum to what happened between Sam with MT was love. I believed that JD loved Cassie and I thought it was his playing around that was the core reason for their breakup before the start of the novel. I wanted to discuss his situation with Cassie and her choices during the novel.

Re the nightmares - they seemed to be triggered by moments of disempowerement in Cassie's present.

I'll go back and read all the scenes with sexual encoutners in them to see what you are saying.

Oh, I meant to add that I think it is a great novel too!

Whoa! Do you think Cassie's first sexual encoutner was NCS?

I think so.

It takes Cassie and the reader time to recognise this though. That incident seems to have shaped her whole view of 'love' relationships (as it does in real life). I like the way Knight shows that our reactions are motivated by subliminal elements in our experience and that to move on you have to face those elements.

So you had compassion for JD?

It wasn't anything that Jake did. Cassie had issues because of her parent's relationship problems. What is NCS?

Wrong, Martin!!! Go back and read Cassie's first experience with Jake sexually.

An interesting point, Martin. Cassie' parents' relationship and the powerlessness of her mother in that relationship did impact on Cassie and shape her taste in men. In Jake's youthful amoruous state though he made a fundamental mistake - defintitely NCS! Look at the sex scenes, Martin, and compare them. Her experience with Jake that time classed him with men like her father. That's the issue and Jake never reversed that impression.

Samantha wrote: "Wrong, Martin!!! Go back and read Cassie's first experience with Jake sexually."

He has a point in part.

Freya wrote: "Samantha wrote: "Wrong, Martin!!! Go back and read Cassie's first experience with Jake sexually."

He has a point in part."

I read your comments in reply to Martin. Yes, I can see he is partly correct. He may have the NCS issue may be missed because many guys unwittingly make that mistake and girls like Cassie don't udenrstand fully what happened until they are adults.

Samantha wrote: "Wrong, Martin!!! Go back and read Cassie's first experience with Jake sexually."

Hi, Martin. Yes, on reflection, I can see you are partly correct. You may have missed the NCS issue because many guys unwittingly make that mistake don't understand. I don't mean to be patronising. Cassie didn't realise until she was an adult and only after she thought abotu what motivated MT with SS.

More thought on this issue. The Macbeth references show that Cassie is scared that there is a darkness in all of us that circumstances can release. She is afraid of that darkness. I think that's her issue with any man, let alone Jake. The novel is very much about her facing her fears and seeign if she can get beyond them.

Okay, so I know what NSC is. I agree that many guys might not recognise they do this with inexperienced young women in a first sexual encounter- such a disastrous consequence. It gives me pause; I've had talks about this with mates at the pub after work on Friday night. It never occurred to them.

It's an interesting idea isn't it, that there is a darkness within each of us. It adds weight to Cassie's PAUSE before her final decision.

So you think the next book will have Cassie return to JD or will her relationship with MM last? My girlfriend thinks MM but I think JD.

This novel has had a huge impact on me - more than anything I've read before.