" 'My idea is to publish next. What do you think?' Clive tilted back on his chair and clasped his hands behind his head. 'I think,' he said carefully, 'I think your staff is right. Its a really terrible idea.' 'Meaning?' 'It'll ruin him.' 'Dead right it will' 'I mean, personally' "(Pg.72) . I think this passage is a great example of the excellent contrasting of characters. On one side you have Vernon, quick to act on his impulses and distain and on the other, you have Clive, controlled even when faced with an opportunity to dispose of a common "enemy". This passage created tension between the friends which is the basis of the ending. The argument started off a chain of events that eventually got these two friends to poison each other.
Because of the heaviness of the plot, there were some places in the story where the tension was relieved such as when Clive goes to relax and get inspiration at the Lake District "Outside the hotel, set against a rough stone wall, was a long wooden bench. In the morning, after breakfast, Clive sat here to lace his boots. Although he was missing the key element of his finale, he had two important advantages in his search. The first was general: he felt optimistic..." (Pg.76) Passages such as the one above were subtle enough that they did not take away from the seriousness or distract the reader but offered a break from the constant drama. Also, the characters themselves are often at peace.
I found the end of the book to be the best part because the entire book builds up pressure from the beginning and then finally blows at the end. First, we learned that Clive and Vernon were best friends who always looked out for each other. Then, trouble brews and the former best friends are split apart by conflicting views. Tensions continue to rise until the two decide to poison each other. Although the two main characters died, it seemed like they are actually going free from whatever pain life plagued them. The descriptions of them at the suicide assistance centre was great because you didn't know exactly what was going on until they had died and because they seemed at peace. " 'My arm's so hot,' Clive whispered. 'Poor Clive. That's why I'm rolling your sleeve up, silly... From the perspective of the Dutch doctor and nurse, the composer lifted his head and, before closing his eyes, seemed to attempt, from his pillow, the most modest of bows. " (Pg.168-169) Once again, great story, I loved every bit of it.
Yours Truly,
Peter Ng
