This novel already encourages reflective ideas. I sense Marshall’s practicality and yearning for normalcy vs. control and prediction. He
is in not in sync with his colleagues as to the trend to celebrate death. Instead he makes the reader aware of “ old fashioned” ideas of celebrating life as opposed to celebrating death.
I also sense he did the expected and encouraged activity of calling to have his DOD revealed on his 18 th birthday, but I feel he is not a “ believer” of this program yet. These are just preliminary feelings I have gathered so far.
Penelope is real- when all around her the environment suggests automation to the max, with very little human control or intervention- she does just that- intervene! She responds based on her human nature , not a reaction of reliance on predictive scientific measures. She values life to the point she was risking her own life for another person- in fact, a stranger. Her assessment of the elderly woman prior to the oncoming car also gives a glimpse that she values age and experience. Really- she appears to be more compassionate than the doctor at the hospital.
I am loving this book! I can’t wait for each chapter.
