From: John Peters <cf071>
Date: Wed, 3 Jun 1998 12:19:07 -0400 (EDT)

Karen Sue and all: To me, the difference between being a "reader" and an
"observer" IS a matter of distance, but in a sense opposite yours--I read
(and appreciate) stories, but observe (and care about) people, or characters who, for any of a plethora of reasons, I have bought as people. Sorry that wasn't clear. Don't know if it's possible to get closer to a story than to sit on the author's mental shoulder and watch it unfold--unless it's a personal life-changer, of course, but, realistically, how often does one of those come along?

Thanks, Marc, for answering my question about the afterword--still doubt it's necessary, but it certainly does no harm, and may help some of the book's more cloistered readers.

Not to open a can of worms (he says), but were any of you bothered by the
***One Passing Comment*** a character makes on galley page 251 that Tar's mother was abused because perhaps she wanted to be? The remark makes me uncomfortable, not because it seems incredible (it isn't unfortunately), but because it's so baldly made and, because there are no ensuing reactions or discussions, accepted, at least by implication. Thoughts?

John Peters New York Public Library cf071 at freenet.buffalo.edu

***My esteemed institution asserts its usual rights***
Received on Wed 03 Jun 1998 11:19:07 AM CDT