The Boy in the Moon

I arrived in East York via subway expecting a routine community service trip. Typically, the RSGC crowd arrives to compile the necessary hours, feigns interest and compassion, and leaves without being profoundly impacted. L'Arche was completely different, and ten colleagues and I left the chapel into the blustery November night having been emotionally touched. Everything suddenly seemed clearer, the music was louder, and I was grateful for every opportunity I presently had. There were no hokey, contrived scenarios created for us, but a brief video on the heroic Jean Vanier and a weekly, informal chapel service for the inhabitants of the home provided us with a unique and heartwarming experience. What struck me was the lack of self-pity the mentally disabled individuals had. Nearly every community member contributed to prayers by wishing well for their parents, or for a peer who was preparing to undergo surgery. I felt experiences with the mentally disabled would be impossible to describe in words, but Ian Brown's piercing novel The Boy in the Moon does just that, making for a thought provoking and compelling read.

Brown makes very interesting observations of L'Arche communities in Montreal and France. He arrives under full knowledge that Walker is far too young for the exclusively adult environment, and notes the gargantuan waiting list. Skepticism seems to be the tone throughout most of chapter eleven, yet Brown emerges impressed and impacted by L'Arche.

"Surrounded for the first time in my life by intellectually disabled adults I had only just met, I suddenly realized I didn't feel nervous." (190) In the company of members of the L'Arche community, Brown is surprised to feel comfortable. He is also impressed by how well the church service functions and quickly agrees that Vanier's concept of giving the disabled a place of their own "was an idea I thought I could get behind." (196)

The peace in the L'Arche environment is almost overwhelming for Brown at times, which gives him a positive impression of what life would be like for Walker. "Had they been smoking kindness?" (197) Additionally, for several pages, he is in awe of some of the ideas presented by Vanier. Once Brown opens up to discuss means of communication with Walker, Vanier asks a profound question to which Brown reveals "I stared at him. I had no answer." (208) Although Brown can never fully wrap his head around the unique aspects of L'Arche, Vanier's thoughts greatly appeal to him. Ultimately, he learns from the disabled individuals in the same manner as he does from Walker, and mentions that "they reminded me not to be ashamed." (219)

When my family owned a house in Maryland, one of our family friends had a mentally disabled son, who came to visit us quite often. I could only build a vague idea of the situation at hand. Ian Brown spares no details in the memoirs, and these helped me to understand what life with a profoundly disabled child would be like.

Having to endure life with Walker constantly taxed Ian Brown and the rest of his family. The boy poses many difficulties that one would never dream of. In the first few pages of the novel, Brown describes Walker punching himself in the head, having to feed him through an IV stand, the process of changing diapers, and the bottle ritual. The endless work Brown needed to perform to ensure the safety of an eight-year old boy was unimaginably trying and required incredible commitment. He was also forced to deal with a difficult question: "What is the value of a life like his- a life lived in the twilight, and often in pain?" (3) In what I felt was far and away the most eye-opening and disturbing scene of the novel, Ian and Johanna discuss tests that reveal potential defects. "'If there'd been a test when I was pregnant that revealed what Walker's life would have been like, I would have had the abortion.'" (181) The mere concept that Walker's parents will never know what goes through his mind, or what their lives would have been like without him is shocking.

1) If Walker were to be fully functional for ten minutes, what would be one question you would ask him?

2) What regrets do you have in the manner that you raised Walker?

3) Without the presence of Walker, do you think that Hayley's life would have been better and more fulfilling?

Chillingly Good

This past December, I read "Dead Cold," a highly engrossing crime fiction novel written by the talented Louise Penny. The story boasted an intriguing plot, entertaining characters, and a classic whodunit style that many critics claimed to resemble the form of Agatha Christie. In this blog entry, I will comment on the character development, motivation, and use of humour in "Dead Cold."

"Calm was not a word anyone would apply to CC de Poitiers, despite her placid, frozen exterior." (3) Penny takes an interesting approach to the description of the featured antagonist in Three Pines. Not only does CC possess the usual cruelty, she is physically daunting and highly unlikable.

"For Ruth Zardo, dull was one of the greatest insults. It ranked right up there with kind and nice." (97) This quotation summarizes Ruth's bold personality, and conveys her eccentric manner and cynical mindset. Ironically, she acts as a capable firefighter for the village, and provides invaluable emergency assistance in the fire at Saul Petrov's estate and of course, in the death of CC de Poitiers.

"But while Clara knew (replacing the old windows) was the sensible thing to do, most of her decisions weren't really sensible. But they suited her life." (9) Clara Morrow is a talented artist and kind person, but she underestimates her own poise and abilities. She lacks proper self-confidence, clings to unrealistic dreams, and acts helpless when dealing with everyday decisions.

"His body spoke of meals enjoyed and a life of long walks rather than contact sports." (66) Immediately, the reader is aware of Gamache's grace. This simplistic sentence gives us a great understanding of his physique, and provides an early glimpse of the detective's professionalism.

Without uttering a single word in "Dead Cold," Crie decidedly emerges as the most powerful character. The obese, unwanted, somber, yet brilliant girl is not someone you would expect to methodically plan a murder, but motivation is what carries her through life. Unfortunately, she deeply craves respect from her incapable mother CC and strives to gain respect from peers.

"The other girls' mothers had helped them, but Crie had done her own. To surprise Mommy, she'd told herself, trying to drown out the other voice." (8) This quotation shows that Crie went out of her way to make her snowball costume, persistent in hopes of finally impressing her mother. However, her continued hope begins to backfire. Eventually, Crie briefly displays a previously unknown vocal talent, but is scorned by her mother in front of the entire village.

"'Everyone was staring at you. You humiliated me... Are you crazy, Crie? Is that it? Is that it?'" (49) Once Crie realized her desire to receive some form of love from her mother would never be founded, she likely constructed her plans for murder, and did so with brilliance extending past her "Straight A" grades.

"'You're wrong there,' said Ruth, following Myrna's gaze. 'This used to be my drug of choice. In my teens my drug of choice was acceptance, in my twenties it was approval, in my thirties it was love, in my forties it was Scotch. That lasted a while,' she admitted. 'Now all I really crave is a good bowel movement." (55) In the midst of a natural conversation, Penny incorporated a great deal of humour, making a common situation entertaining for readers. The comedic elements of "Dead Cold" are never forced, which allows for a more realistic and enjoyable read.

"Toss a toaster into your spouse's bath these days and all you'll get is a blown fuse, a ruined appliance and a very pissed-off sweetheart." (77) While Gamache peruses evidence, Penny prevents monotony by engaging readers with hilarious imagery that incorporates electrocution, and this bright moment sets the tone for the breathtaking mystery "Dead Cold."

By Nick Medline