How did you feel about Patra and Leo's reaction to his illness? Did you understand their motivation before the reveal that they were Christian Scientists?

Duluth is where Paul begins to exhibit more acute symptoms. How did you feel about Patra and Leo's reaction to his illness? Did you understand their motivation before the reveal that they were Christian Scientists?

Quite simply, No - and even after finding the Christian Scientist connection, I do not understand how anyone can allow a child to die when his life is in their hands.

I felt that Patra was less certain about how to manage Paul's illness and even after I learned about the religious connection, I felt she was less committed to the course of action taken. I felt she was caught between saving her child and her marriage, that she went along to get along. I never felt a strong commitment from her for the religious beliefs Leo espoused. She adopted them to marry him and then, in the end, she was forced to follow them because she had done so. The result was the death of her son.

NO - quite simply, they appeared to be in denial and a little spacey.

Paul's illness and Patra and Leo's reaction were not clear throughout the book, however once he died it made more sense. After reading what Christian Scientist's believe it gave me a rationale as to why Leo did what he did. Patra on the other hand, let her husband Leo dictate how everything was handled regarding Paul's illness, she wanted to do something, but would back down because of Leo. He seemed to have such control over her.

Leo refused all medical care for his son relying on his Christian Science faith to save his son. There were many medical options in Duluth, more than at the lake cabin, but he was not open to anyone's help. It angered me when he played the board game while his son could barely open an eye. I think Patra was hoping for the best and relying on her husband's faith while she watched her world crumble. She seemed at the verge of a breakdown and may have mouthed for Linda to get them help which would have been against Leo's wishes.

No, I did not understand their reaction to Paul's illness. Although Leo appeared to have the strongest belief in the religion, Patra allowed it. I cannot see how anyone regardless of religion would allow their child to die right in front of their eyes. And for the court to let them off for "religious beliefs".

I understand that people have certain religious beliefs that they adhere to, but this novel did not present them very well. Patra, the mother, did not seem very firm in her beliefs. I think she was intimidated by her husband and more or less turned Paul over to Linda, a child herself, so she didn't have to deal. We no nothing about Leo and his "strong" belief. We hear part of a phone call. From what I have read a child would never be left alone to die. Where was their healer? Paul would have been surrounded by love, even if they ran into the woods to hide. So much was left unsaid about this religion.

I found myself becoming more and more angry...for what I thought was denial of Paul's illness then realized there was a religious belief that precluded them from taking action.

I was appalled. I did not need to have their religion ‘revealed’. I think I understood right away that religious beliefs were behind their lack of medical action.

Considering that Leo is a scientist, I am appalled that he ignored medical science in favor of his religion. In fact, at the risk of sounding like a real jerk, I am incredibly offended by any person who uses religion as an excuse for his behavior--condoning misbehavior in others, bigotry, exclusion, and causing harm to children. I do not understand their motivation because in my heart and soul, God is love. God is compassion. I feel even more disgusted by Patra. She was given the gift of a beautiful child to love and care for. She selfishly ignored Paul's needs over her own. And given that she was not as deeply invested in Christian Science as Leo, she could not even use religion as her excuse. Fear--fear that her husband would be angry that she saved her son's life.