We kept going in circles about whether Theo was a sympathetic narrator or just dishonest, and it was frustrating everyone. I got sidetracked reading Donna Tartt's older interviews where she hinted at crafting characters as products of trauma. Bringing that up shifted our focus to how the plot mirrors his psychological state, which totally refreshed the debate. Has anyone else used author interviews to break a deadlock in their club talks?
We just debated whether the sibling bond in 'The Dutch House' is realistically toxic or unfairly idealized. Half the group PRAISES it as a nuanced portrayal, while the other half ROASTS it for glossing over deep resentment. How do you interpret this family dynamic in literature?