Did your feelings toward Effie’s father change over the course of the book, and if so, how?
In the beginning I found him horrible. I didn’t understand why he was leaving all alone all the time. However at the end with his letter I saw him differently- not necessarily more likable - but I could get my arms around his motivation better.
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Boy did they. I went from disliking Effie’s dad to thinking he was a good guy. Am I allowed to give spoilers? I have a lot of thoughts, but they all involve spoilers
Yes. I definitely saw his dilemma and why June told Effie that her father’s actions were complicated. I do think that keeping Effie in the dark about his absences caused her undo pain and confusion. It seems that he could have come up with a reason that could have been acceptable, maybe that he had to find someone who disappeared a long time ago. The silence and abandonment perhaps caused Effie more harm than an answer in my opinion.
I was very conflicted with my feelings for Effie’s father throughout the book. His lack of communication with his children annoyed me, and leaving them with a new baby was unthinkable. By the end, I tried to wrap my head around his thoughts from the letter and feel better about him. I guess I never really did, though. Thank goodness for June, who was a steady adult figure for the family.
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Yes, my feelings changed. He was a tortured soul.
I did not easily accept the revelation of who Effie’s father was. There was such a large swing with his character’s personality from beginning to end that it left me feeling disconnected. I think he was a selfish man and I was surprised he had other intimate relationships.
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When the complete explanation for Effie’s father’s behavior was revealed I saw him differently. It seemed he let his need to be a fully present parent be overtaken by his first love, Dinah. Perhaps everyone would have been better off if he sought the maturity to abandon his black moods and his incessant search.
My feelings did change. I didn’t like him throughout the book. Once we learned of his past, I felt sorry for him.
Effies father was not a likable character. He did some dreadful things. Once you finally got his back story it was more acceptable, however he turned into a pretty despicable character over the years.
I didn’t like anything about Effie’s father. I didn’t think he had one redeeming quality