Originally Posted by Karen 12th August 2006


All of the residents there are dying, why do you think Antoine chose Mireille to get close to?

Deppsdarling


I dont know could it be because he thought he could help her? Make a difference cuz her son didn't live close enough?

Deppraved


I think he chose her because she had a non-judgemental and accepting attitude, and her illness seemed advanced.

Also, there was an element of suprise in her introduction that day sitting on the bench, as yet undiscoverd to Antoine, and that was intriguing to him.

I'm so glad I read this book--I never would have known a thing about it save for the wonderful Mr. Depp. I must say he has excellent taste.

Nurseanne8


I was wondering when this question would appear: see page 56 "through her I, hope to understand the extinction of life" also same page "it isn't fear or anguish that imposes this choice, this conduct on me, but anger and incomprehension" and finally page 68 "she accepts my presence at her side and goes along with the experiment without protest" - Mirelle is unique in the retirement home community because she is not mentally impaired by the ravages of aging and her death is imminent so she can function like a "lab rat" for Antoine to understand death. Mirelle understands exactly the movitations of Antoine but as her organ systems and brain cells begin their final decline she accepts him as an ally in her final journey. His presence requires no emotional energy on her part as he only wants to observe her decline-he is kind, respectful, articulate and is willing to do anything in order to witness the path to death. The trip to the sea shore was the price established by Mirelle and the ticket for Antoine to witness the final hours of her life. The irony or satire of the story is that Antoine (did he even realize that he had an emotional connection to Mirelle?) was able to establish a relationship with Mirelle but was not able to be more than an "observer" of life after her death. I wonder why-fear, lazy, depression, but why?? I can't figure that out!

Captainjacksparrow


My guess is that she was an easy target to watch die. (I know how harsh that sounds) She was so close to the end that it would not take long, and she was new so there were no connections established with anyone. He could simply be the one there in her life to watch death take over.

Karen

It's almost as if he could participate in someone's life, but not really....like getting part of 1 little toe wet at the beach...you see, hear and smell the water but only 1 teeny little part of you is touched by it.

The fear, lazy...depressed part of this has me wondering too.