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Not joking about that theory btw he really did manifest the quarry and they put him back in the NSC
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Chained — Lynne Kelly
Page 13: What on earth possessed her, a white lady from Texas, to write a middle-grade book about a boy from India? What was the inspiration here? I know this was her first novel, but it makes no sense when you compare it to her other novels.
Page 27: He’s going to find a job in the marketplace? So he’s moving in with this mother, or where? Because then who’s going to take care of Raj the dog back at their hut?
Page 33: “As we walk down the road, I tell Yusuf about everything that brought me to the marketplace—Chanda’s illness, Amar and Moti, my mother’s job with Sharma’s family.” —> Wow, really just revealing his whole life story to this strange boy he met thirty seconds ago.
Page 59: “When Indurekha bites into her second mango, Nandita gives up trying to take the whole branch and instead grabs one fruit. She watches me as she quickly pops it into her mouth.” —> Is she not startled by seeing a human sitting in a tree? What is her reaction, and the reaction of the rest of the group.=?
Page 84: “Nandita darts across the arena. She runs as far as the chain reaches, then falls to the ground when the chain jerks her back. The workmen laugh.” —> Cruel to catch an elephant, but even crueler to laugh at her, especially a juvenile one.
Page 128: This book really just doesn’t have the human, emotional aspects of her other books. I like the connection between Hastin and Nandita, but I haven’t seen enough of it yet or learned enough of Hastin’s thoughts or feelings. He’s kind of a non-character to me right now, just observing rather than interacting much.
Page 130: “But what would happen to my family? I’m working to pay Timir back for Chanda’s medicine and hospital stay.” —> Wait, huh? But Timir didn’t pay for the treatment, it was the rich guy named Sharma, right? Hastin is just working for Timir in general, to earn money to pay Sharma back. What is he paying Timir back for, at least in money, if not time?
Page 154: Ne Min is a far more interesting character than Hastin is. I know he’s an old man and has his life behind him, and this book is for children, so that makes sense. But he’s so wise and reflective and curious.
Page 160: “After all this time and so many shows, Timir has never been able to add any new acts. He blames Nandita for costing him too much money in food. How did he not know she would need hay, and lots of it? If Timir had to do the work himself, nothing would survive. I wouldn’t trust him to take care of a dung beetle.” —> And yes Hastin accepted a job (“job”) with him after about 10 minutes of talking to him. And what even happened to the boy at his tea shop? Is he ever going to come back into the story?
Page 197: “Timir’s face hardens. ‘And the wood for those carvings. Since i own this land, I own the trees on it, too. I will take what is mine, and if there’s anything left, I’ll send it to your family. Who knows? They might be able to move into a bigger shack, one without a dirt floor.’” —> This guy fucking sucks.
Page 236: “Only then do I realize I still have Sharad’s key ring. I laugh and toss it into the river. With no way to start the elephant truck and no way to lock the shackles, they will have a hard time catching a new elephant anytime soon.” —> Hell yeah.
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Thank you so much!! Part 2 is in progress right now. I’ll upload it asap
