Book report by Gavin D'Arcy

Booksnap #1 (Pg. 18)

darcyg1 — 2024-05-09 17:24:11 UTC

Throughout the entire book up to this point, it is extremely clear that Eddie is a very kind and considerate person. And this scene further cements this fact, showing Eddie sacrificing his own life for a stranger that he does not know, and likely would have never seen again. This demonstrates how selfless and kind Eddie is as a character.

Booksnap #2 (Pg. 21)

darcyg1 — 2024-05-09 17:26:05 UTC

In the book so far, Eddie is shown as a very kind person, putting others before himself in almost any given situation, and this is the case especially when kids are involved. And in the scene prior, he sacrifices his life to attempt and save a little girl that was in danger. This demonstrates his kind and selfless nature.

Booksnap #3 (Pg. 44)

darcyg1 — 2024-05-09 17:26:14 UTC

Throughout the book, no matter the situation, Eddie trys to be as kind as he can be, and hearing that he indirectly caused the end of someones life must hurt a lot. Eddie, with this new information, within the coming scenes is extremely empethetic and sorry for the Blue Man, but is later explained that it is okay, and it is not his fault.

Booksnap #4 (Pg. 48)

darcyg1 — 2024-05-09 17:26:21 UTC

The Blue Man is very wise, and sets the groundwork down for Eddie to understand that all live is connected, no matter how far or how related. He tells Eddie to not wish his death rather than the Blue Man's death, but the Blue Man explains that he should not wish that because everyone lives on and is spared, when someone else dies, and it is just how the world works. Though Eddie is upset by this news, he understands the situation, and realizes that he is not entirely at fault, and there is no reason for him to feel responsible.

Booksnap #1 (Pg. 62)

darcyg1 — 2024-05-17 02:06:50 UTC

Until this point, we were not given much context or backstory on Eddie's past in the war besides being told he injured his leg. However, now with Captain being introduced, and throughout the chapter, Eddie's past is being shown further, and we get to see what happened in the war that could've molded him into the person he was before he died.

Booksnap #2 (Pg. 74)

darcyg1 — 2024-05-17 02:07:20 UTC

Even though it is thoroughly explained throughout the book, this scene truly shows how talented and determined Eddie is. This scene in particular demonstrates his adaptability to situations. Before he died, he adapted by risking his bad leg to save the little girls life. And in this situation, he uses tricks he learnt at the pier he worked at to trick the guards (The Crazys) and ultimately defeating them.

Booksnap #3 (Pg. 82)

darcyg1 — 2024-05-17 02:07:23 UTC

Even though it is shown sufficiently throughout the book, this scene truly shows how kindhearted and sympathetic Eddie is as a person. Even when he is in the enemy territory, and even when he could be being lured into a trap, he is a kind person, and is 100% willing to sacrifice everything he has, including his life, to save another person. This scene not only shows his true nature, but also is extremely inspiring to think he would risk it all to save someone.

Booksnap #4 (Pg. 93)

darcyg1 — 2024-05-17 02:07:27 UTC

Even though Eddie is a kind person, he held a grudge to the war he partook in, because it was the reason he lost his leg. Up until now, he thought he was injured by the enemy, or by the terrain around him. But little to his knowledge, it was his own Captain that was just trying to save his life. At first, he is upset for the Captain for doing this, but after the Captain gets to explain how sacrifices are necessary in life, no matter how large or small, Eddie finally understands the reality of the situation, and is grateful. This again shows his adaptability and kindness, but also his willingness to accept reality, and to pursue future even if it isn't looking the brightest.

Booksnap #1 (Pg. 108)

darcyg1 — 2024-05-17 02:07:29 UTC

Within the book until this point, we haven't heard much about Eddie's father, but after seeing this introduction, he does not seem like a good character or person. He is being extremely inconsiderate to Eddie and is not taking into consideration that Eddie just came home from war injured mentally and physically, so not thinking he may need some time to cool off is extremely odd.

Booksnap #2 (Pg. 136)

darcyg1 — 2024-05-17 02:07:32 UTC

Earlier in this chapter, Mickey was approaching Eddie's mother, with plans to assault her, however Eddie's father arrived just in time to stop Mickey. Later on, Mickey goes to the water and jumps in, and goes unconscious. Eddie's father was originally running after Mickey to kill him, but after seeing Mickey practically kill himself, he decided it is just better to save a life rather than end one, so he saved Mickey's life, and Mickey was able to explain why he did what he did. Though Eddie's father was rude and inconsiderate to Eddie, at least he has some redeeming qualities.

Booksnap #3 (Pg. 139)

darcyg1 — 2024-05-17 02:07:34 UTC

Eddie's father is shown to be a very closed off man, not giving any emotions of sadness or happiness, as it is explained that he believes showing those emotions are a sign of weakness. And in his final moments of life, he shows the emotion he did not show Eddie enough, love. Though in the book he is closed off, in his final moments he showed that though it was not displayed, he truly loved his family, and did have strong emotions, but he was unwilling to show those emotions.

Booksnap #4 (Pg. 144)

darcyg1 — 2024-05-17 02:07:36 UTC

When we learned about Eddie's father, it is abundently clear Eddie does not like him in the slightest due to the actions his father did during his childhood. Until this point, Eddie thought there would be absolutely zero way to forgive his father for the intolerable things that he did to him during his youth. However, after hearing everything his father went through, and his final words, he was able to sympathize with his father and realize he is a good person, but was unable to demonstrate his affection towards his family. During his childhood, Eddie's father made Eddie fix things due to him being a handyman, and would yell at Eddie "FIX IT!". Eddies final words to his dad being "It's fixed." is very symbolic, not only showing he forgives his father, but also that he recognizes his fathers mistakes, aswell as his own.

Booksnap #1 (Pg. 157)

darcyg1 — 2024-05-17 02:07:39 UTC

Within the story, it is not mentioned whether everyone that died goes through the process of meeting five people, so with this topic being discussed, it is confirmed that everyone who dies goes through the process of meeting people they indirectly or directly effected during their lifetime. And even after they go through their five people, they can be apart of another persons five people. This makes me wonder if Eddie will be one of someone elses people they meet in heaven, and what lesson he would teach.

Booksnap #2 (Pg. 173)

darcyg1 — 2024-05-17 02:07:42 UTC

During the fourth persons' story and lesson, Eddie keeps referencing that she died too early, and that she should've been able to live for longer. However, she exclaims that regaurdless of being alive or dead, their love is still very existent, and realistically was stronger than before. This is very sweet but is an invaluable lesson. That even after or during seperation, their love could last very well, and this can apply to any number of people, not just them.

Booksnap #3 (Pg. 189)

darcyg1 — 2024-05-17 02:07:45 UTC

Throughout the book, Eddie is shown to be a very kind, caring, and empethetic person. And when looking at his dialogs, he does not seem like the type of person to be a killer, or to assist in war. However, even if him killing this girl was not intentional, he is upset with himself, as he could've saved her life. This shows his character and traits in many ways, because even though he was injured at the time and had no obligation to save her, he is still very emepethic and upset that he was the reason she died.

Booksnap #4 (Pg. 191)

darcyg1 — 2024-05-17 02:07:47 UTC

Through the entirety of the book, Eddie is shown to love helping children, no matter the situation. In war, in work, everywhere. This girl however, was a child that he hurt, rather than helped. And rather than being upset with Eddie, she is completely content with him. Not because she wants to be kind to Eddie, or he deserves to be forgiven, but he has helped so many children throughout his life, that it weighs close enough to be redeemed.