Last night I began to read Rule of the Bone by Russell Banks. As of now, I have finished the first three chapters which is twenty-four pages. The reader is introduced to the main character, Chapman, who is also nicknamed Chappie and Bone. He lives in New York City with his mother and a stepfather. He's a high school student who often cuts class and smokes weed.
For the first segment of the book, quite a lot occurs. It was quickly apparent that Chappie is not very happy. His mother's divorce and remarriage as well his relationship with his stepfather negatively effects him. It is obvious his stepfather abuses him and over time their relationship has deteriorated. Chappie says, "When I was a real little kid he was an okay stepfather... but when I got to be a teenager he sort of pulled out of the family unit and did a lot of heavy drinking which now my mom was into blaming me for. I didn't care he didn't like me anymore" (9). Throughout the section, it becomes obvious they have a terrible relationship and quickly into the first chapter they get into a fight. This leads to Chappie asserting he is fed up and running away to live with his friend Russ.
Another big topic within the section is marijuana, which Chappie refers to as weed. At one point, he cuts class and says, "It had been a couple days since I had been high and whenever I went that long I'd get jumpy and restless and kind of irritated at the world" (4). This shows that Chappie does not only use marijuana for recreation purposes but also as an escape from his dramatic life at home. Eventually, he moves out and lives with Russ and older "bikers." He comments that he went through weed quickly with this group and they seem to egg him on into making bad decisions. Chappie said, "They were letting me sleep on this ratty couch they had because I kept supplying them with weed," and continued to say, "The bikers were older than us and heavier into drugs" (17). Chappie often smokes weed and purchases it whenever he has the money to do so, and even uses it as a form of paying rent.
Overall, it was a very intriguing section and I am excited to continue reading this book. It was eventful and I enjoy reading from Chappie's point of view. I am curious where Rule of the Bone will go and I am already hooked!
Overall, it was a very intriguing section and I am excited to continue reading this book. It was eventful and I enjoy reading from Chappie's point of view. I am curious where Rule of the Bone will go and I am already hooked!
Hey, Evan! I read this book for our summer assignment and liked it! I read through it quite quickly despite it not being the typical book I read. One aspect of the novel I really enjoyed was the connections he holds and their consequences. You can clearly see without a strong father figure in his life he attempts to fill that void with negative influences, such as drugs. Even his best friend, Russ, resembles certain consequences within relationships. Do you think that Russ resembles a positive influence that provides shelter and the idea of a father, or a negative influence that exposes him to violence and more drugs?
ReplyDeleteDoes Chappie seem like a realistic teenager to you? Sometimes in this kind of bildungsroman (coming-of-age story), the teenage character seems far more insightful or in touch with his/her feelings than most teens I know. Do you feel this is true of your character?
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