Oh, don't get me wrong, I am 100% Team Nicola and I really feel for her in the whole Patrick business. Even though I suspect that -- had I even had the opportunity (i.e. been pretty and liked back by a boy) at 15, I would probably have behaved much more like Ginty. (And I do feel for Ginty as well, in some of the very recognizable teenage tribulations she goes through in this book, much as she also annoys me per AF's intent.)
Of course Patrick behaves badly w/r/t Nicola, but I agree with you that his selfishness/obliviousness is reasonably typical of a teenage boy (esp. one who, unlike Nicola, hasn't had a lifetime of mucking in with siblings to teach him any social lessons). I mean, sheesh, I've been treated much worse that this by immature dudes! My mother used to "comfort" me by saying tht men couldn't seem to manage to behave like grown-ups till at least 40.
But, like Nicola, I find Patrick compelling and would totally gravitate to him in real life.
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timeasmymeasure
Re: Being submissive to Patrick.
Date: 2015-02-14 03:26 pm (UTC)Of course Patrick behaves badly w/r/t Nicola, but I agree with you that his selfishness/obliviousness is reasonably typical of a teenage boy (esp. one who, unlike Nicola, hasn't had a lifetime of mucking in with siblings to teach him any social lessons). I mean, sheesh, I've been treated much worse that this by immature dudes! My mother used to "comfort" me by saying tht men couldn't seem to manage to behave like grown-ups till at least 40.
But, like Nicola, I find Patrick compelling and would totally gravitate to him in real life.