Originally Posted by Karen 30th Spetember 2005


Maureen is a really interesting character. They only time she's with a man, she becomes pregnant and gives birth to a physically and mentally challenged son.

Author Hornby also has a severely challenged autistic son.

Do you think Maureen might mirror some of the author's frustrations? How did Maureen change her life after that one night? What or who was the biggest factor in her life change? Did you feel sympathy for her?

Jae


I would think that Hornby has some of his own life experiences in all the characters, even Maureen or maybe especially Maureen. I have a special needs child myself and as he grows in age yet not emotionally, the situation does become more challenging. Being a full time caregiver and having this very intimate extension that is not controllable or is unpredictable can put you off balance. A full time caregiver, has to be proactive to keep yourself healthy. You have to learn to be "good to yourself" and not get lost. I can only imagine that Hornby explored that deep cavort when developing Maureen...and then took that obligation to a big and overwhelming place that lead to despair. Maureen was that despair, she found that place in the maze. I felt so sorry that Maureen did not start sooner to take better care of herself while caring for her aging son and have good respite in place, take time for herself and have a healthy social life and not settle for being sooooo isolated. I think that Jess was a good part of what helped Maureen turn around. Raising children is the hardest (and most rewarding) experience...and I think Jess shows Maureen that all kids can have their challenging times. Jess was the other extreme to Maureen's son, she was overly expressive and highly full of life and I think she found Jess difficult as well. That perspective may have helped Maureen. Everyone has their challenges, everyone...regardless of circumstances. Life is hard. Since Maureen lived such an isolated life, I think that she didn’t connect with others enough to see she was not the only one with challenges and a balancing act to content with and to see that others didn’t head to the tower block to solve the problem. Interesting questions Karen…I will have to ponder this one a bit more.

Karen


I think Maureen is a really interesting character..I wondered about her religious feelings...it's almost as if she were hiding behind them, not using her beliefs for strength.

MerryK


Very well said Jae. I would definitely say since that is the case of Nick that he did use some of his own life experiences in developing Maureen.

I think Maureen will be the one character who is going to benefit and will get the most out of this strange reliance with the others.

Jae


I think you are right MerryK, I think Mareen will benefit the most from unlikely friendships.

I find it interesting that they all needed the empty canvas of a stranger's friendship to find enough honesty in themselves to begin the healing process.

Deppraved

I didn't realise this because I didn't read all the background tidbits on Hornby. that is very interesting.

I think it's very possible that Maureen is mirroring the authors frustrations, a catharsis of sorts, perhaps.

Maureen changed her life very slowly, by beginning to come out of her shell and learn to shed some of her prim and proper inhibitions. Think of all the things she began doing, like drinking and making plans for herself, with the other Topper's House intendeds. I felt enormous sympathy for her, that life must feel like such a complete dead end, so devoid of joy and unfulfilling, and rife with the heaviest guilt. And for some reason, my gut reaction to who the biggest catalyst for change in her life was.....Jess, with her take no