Was there a character you felt you related to more than the others?

What strengths and weaknesses do each of the main characters possess? Was there a character you felt you related to more than the others?

I related most to Alice. I felt that her losses, both psychological and physical, resonated very strongly. I wanted to see her get her strengths back after Natalie's demise. Her close relationship to Phinneus was very well worked out in the book. I understood why she hated Natalie and was very happy to see her go to Santa Fe to seek out Agnette.

What Alice lacked in physical strength she had in resolve . A mother's love is not to be under estimated. I was impressed with her determination to get herself to her daughter while she fought back pain and fear of rejection.

I related most to Alice because in spite of her disabilities, she seemed more normal than Natalie. Alice seemed like a regular, decent person reacting to terrible circumstances in the best way she could.

I related most to Phinneaus because he seemed to be the most normal person. Although he had been wounded and walked with a limp, he was determined to make the best of things and used his skills to make a living for himself. Also, I found his love for Alice and his ability to accept her just the way she was very touching. And he was a very responsible person, willing to take care of his nephew when his sister couldn't.

Hmmm...I think because of my own daughter's illness I related to Alice. I so badly wanted her to get the support she needed to deal with her disease. It was difficult to understand why her parents didn't help more with her condition. Although treatment today is so advanced from even 20 years ago.

Phinneaus was another character I related to. He knew what Alice needed in terms of support and encouragement! Finch also seemed very real to me and I understood his pain and loneliness.

I have found myself thinking about this book since finishing it about 10 days ago. Its the sign of a good book! I am glad I read it!

In the end I have to say that I really liked Stephen. In the beginning I felt that he was self-centered, inappropriate much of the time and totally out of sync with people around him. As the book went on I began to admire his passion and his determination, and his willingness to put himself out there. To find out that he was Thomas' son, blew me away, but helped put his behavior into perspective

i related to Alice and Stephen. I felt compassion for Alice. We have all had regrets and had to live with them. I admired Stephen's tenacity and he had human flaws that were relatable.

I understood where Alice was coming from due to the pain of her illness. She was disfiguired by this disease and , it made her very uncomfortable to be around other's. Her putting up with the abuse that Natalie dished out all those years was kind of hard to understand. She was afraid to be alone and without money but even then it shocks me. Natalie was one sick person.
Understanding Natalie is a little hard, she was different, even as a child. She couldn't let anything good happen for Alice, just out of meaness or jealousy. She couldn't stand that Thomas chose Alice. She made sure Alice paid for it. Just plain evil.
I could relate to Stephen because I am always putting my foot in my mouth. He was very amusing and lovable. Even Finch grew to care for him. He was like a little kid and every day was a new adventure, he loved looking for these panels.
Phinneaus was a loving wonderful man. He had overcome his disability and found a way to work that worked for him. He had taken in his nephew when his sister was incarcerated. He was kind and loving, understanding and patient with Alice beyond what most people could be.
I related most to Finch. Loyal to a friend meaning the most, the honorable thing to do. Even if is hard to do at times, like Thomas. Thomas knew that his last wishes would be carried out by his "loyal" Finch. I also understand his enabling behavior which is a bad side of the do anything for you attitude.

It's hard for me to say. I related to Alice on some level, but not having had an illness such as her's, I couldn't relate. And, her total trust and blindness to her sister drove me a little crazy. Phinneaus was a character I really did like. He was loyal and he showed Alice an unconditional love that is rare. His willingness to raise his nephew endeared me to him even more. I said it before, but I loved the relationship between Alice and Phinneaus. I also related to Finch. I think mainly becuase of his loyalty to Thomas, but also his loyalty and love for his wife and daughter.

Phinneaus: he was everything I would strive to be
Finch: for his love & continuing relationship with his deceased wife
Stephen: for his ability to overcome the various situations he put himself in