Gwen wonders if her infatuation with Elyse is due to “the idea that our lives were both shaped so significantly by [Abel], yet so different. Some kind of nature-versus-nurture experiment, but more like unyielding exposure to him versus one life-altering moment at his hands.” (p. 194). What do you think of her perspective here? In what ways do you think Abel “created” each of the girls?
They both thought he was dead. Gwen thought she killed him and Elyse watched as it looked like he was being murdered. Gwen often thought perhaps she was like her father, liking death seeing people die. Elyse was left with no relatives. Always hard but if she had had her brother all those years it may have been a bit easier.
They were both part of this horrific even that happened years ago and that Gwen’s father caused them both to be who they were through this event. I think it would be hard for Gwen not to feel connected to her in some way through this and to want to know how she turned out.
Their lives were essentially defined by a horrific event. I don’t think you could ever not be connected. It changed both of their lives forever.