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Description edit
It was the summer of 1985, and she was young and inexperienced, but longing to love and to be loved in return, when he entered her life. At the same time, while she was desperately seeking the love and approval of a mother who never wanted her in the first place, events totally beyond her... read more
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Characters/People edit
- Betsy: Oldest of 3 sisters, innocent & naive, sensitive, compassionate, holds the family together
- Monica: The middle sister, straight-A student when in high school, close to her older sister Betsy
- Ellen: The youngest sister, considered the prettiest, is sexually active and involved with a fairly wild crowd of teen-agers
- Jean: Mother of the 3 girls listed above, looks terrific for her age (mid-30s), devoted to pursuing an active social life, often to the point where she ignores responsibilities at home, has been a widow for over 10 years
- Carl Peters: Attended high school with Monica whom he eventually marries, clean-cut in appearance but is a drug abuser and drinker, has an over-inflated opinion of himself
- Wayne Brown Junior: Functionally illiterate, quiet and lacking in proper social skills, comes across as a shady character since he won't look anyone in the eye
- Wayne Brown Senior: His father, doesn't pay any attention to his son except to discipline him, his appearance & manner are frightening to Betsy who sees him only one time
- Aunt Lucille: 40-year-old sister of Jean, unmarried, still suffers from having been betrayed by her boyfriend Arnie 12 years ago, loves her 3 nieces as if they were her very own children
- Rick Sellars: Jean's current boyfriend, involved in a hot & heavy relationship with her
- Charlene: Wayne's former girlfriend, cheap and crass
- Kenny: Long-time friend of Carl's, often borrows Carl's car & uses him for all he can get out of him
- Vince: A new friend of Carl's whom Carl considers to be very "cool"
- Lisa: Ellen's best friend, also promiscuous and into drugs
- Marty: High school senior/football player who uses Ellen for sex
Quotes edit
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“I will hold his golden curls against my breast, and together we will strain all of our senses so that we can hear that sound we both so long to hear: the pulsation of her pure and innocent soul.”
Monica -
“There is so much that is beautiful, so much that is heart-stopping in its gorgeous simplicity, so much that I want to share with this man.”
Betsy -
“I saw them, his mysterious dark blue eyes, at the same instant a wave crashed violently against the rocks, and a gushing sensation welled up inside of me, sending involuntary shivers up and down my spine as I gazed directly into the dark blue vastness of his soul and caught a glimpse of the incredible and heartrending sadness that he housed within himself.”
Betsy -
“My mind cannot even begin to grasp the horrifying immensity of her absence.”
Monica -
“You're smart and all that, Betsy -- but there are some things you'll never know -- some things you'll never be able to understand about me, and about the things I believe a person should do in order to -- get revenge.”
Wayne -
“Isn't it wonderful, Wayne? Isn't it wonderful to be alive and to be able to say that you've been loved?”
Monica -
“Just when I'm telling myself that life isn't worth living, the most incredible person appears and gives me a reason to live -- and maybe even a reason to smile.”
Wayne -
“I don't want to leave, because that would be like breaking the spell. I want to keep living in this beautiful dream-world of ours.”
Wayne -
“Christ, I'm scared. I'm scared of him, and I'm scared of tomorrow, and I'm scared of just plain living.”
Carl
First Sentence edit
I sit here in this gloom and gaze silently upon the ring on my finger, the ring that was supposed to be a token of complete bliss and happiness, the culmination of all of my hope and all of my joy.
Themes & Symbolism edit
- white rose: Symbolizes Betsy's purity, simplicity, and the sincere love she has for her lover
Subjects edit
Links to Supplemental Material edit
- FB page for "Why She Left Us": Contains links to any features, reviews, etc. associated with this book
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