Heredity angle

[Heidi M Simone]

Very good point! Maybe the words "murder gene" threw my off, but I also believe that psychopathy being passed down is possible. It definitely was a book that makes readers think!

I haven't heard of We Need to Talk About Kevin. I'll to look it up because it sounds like something I would enjoy!

[quadbrookie]

I think it can be passed down, and I also believe it can skip a generation. I have a distant cousin who started doing things differently and somewhat out-of-character for herself. After two days of this they took her to the hospital and was diagnosed as a psychopath. She showed no signs until she was in her early thirties. I know she has to take multiple medications, and she still isn't the same, just slightly altered. The doctors said that it's not the first time people wake up one day acting like a different person, and most people believe that person is on recreational drugs and are left untreated!

[Heidi M Simone]

Wow, I had no idea...I mean once you mention that, then I can how that makes sense. So scary. I'm glad that she was able to have someone help her, and even if she's different, I hope she is doing better than before.

[zeldas_lullaby]

I agree with hsimone, that is frightening!! OMG! Are you sure that was the diagnosis? Are you sure it wasn't schizophrenia or ... I don't know. It just sounds like something else. Disturbing either way!!

[quadbrookie]

Yes, sychopath... I was like wwwwwhhhhhaaaaattttt! Me, being the psych major, started pulling out my Abnormal psych book, searching the web, talking to classmates, TA, and combing through all types of research. We all were thinking that it was schizophrenia! Finally, the Teaching Assistant asked the department head and he went through different channels and that, which was in my previous post was a brief summary of what he found.

[zeldas_lullaby]

That's kuh-razy!! Oh my goodness! Weirdness!!

[Heidi M Simone]

Yes, it is, zeldas_lullaby!

It's amazing how a fictional story can generate so many thoughts about real life. Thank you for sharing quadbrokie45.

[quadbrookie]

I know! Imagine my reaction!

I love this website! I've always wanted to be in a book club, and now here I am! I love reading the different responses and different insights that everyone shares on multiple discussion questions. It lets you find more meaning in the books.

[zeldas_lullaby]

Woo hoo!! I agree!

[Heidi M Simone]

I absolutely agree! This site is amazing, and I'm glad it's available for us book lovers

It's funny because I started a book club with some of my girlfriends. Those who didn't really read much are getting into reading and discussing books more! In fact, one of them got Defending Jacob at a book swap and was so excited to hear how much I liked it

[quadbrookie]

yes, I used to see this book all over the place. When I saw it was the BOTM coming up I jumped on Amazon and got! I am SO glad I did.

[Heidi M Simone]

Me too! I've had it on my to-read list for a while, so I was also glad that it was Book of the Month. It gave me more of a reason to focus on reading it!

[peprica21]

Doesn't Andy kind of dispel this theory anways with the way he lived his life by not following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather?

I would agree that Andy's life would debunk the theory of a murder gene.

But yet, I am glad the author included it because it gave me food for thought when considering the whole case.

[quadbrookie]

Andy had outbursts of anger towards others and had to talk himself down. Also, when he followed, the initial suspect in the case and roughed up his bumper, I'm sure you can recall that "situation."

[Heidi M Simone]

That's a good point. I kind of forgot about those, but you're right there were definitely times when Andy showed his angry side.