My friends since the Winter of 2011 only goes on and I'm in the middle of an Ice storm of epic proportion and the weather people are predicting massive power outages and I'm stuck at home with only dial-up. Okay I'm done complaining 
Week 1's questions are being posted a day early just in case I don't have power until April or May.
Don't forget that Antoinette van Heugten will be joining us for the conversation when she can.
Saving Max
Part 1 Questions
Talk about your first impressions of the characters in Part 1
Danielle
Max
Marianne
Dr. Reyes-Moreno
We learn that Max has been diagnosed with Aspergers a form of Autism
Did you learn anything new about Autism from this part of the novel?
Max is placed in a highly respected institution for assessment of his condition
What are your overall feelings about Maitland and it’s staff
Do you think Danielle is a success in her role of single parent and sole provider for her and Max
Why
Why not
Considering her profession does Danielle’s illegal actions to learn the contents of Max’s medical records
Surprise you
Concern you
When part one ends we discover what the prologue was describing
From what you know about Max so far
Did he do it?
Could he do it?
Antoinette van Heugten uses beautiful prose like dialogue to describe some disturbing and sometimes gruesome scenes.
Does it work for you
Hope you stay safe Debbie, and hopefully you won't lose power!
- Character Analysis
Danielle seems to be a dedicated person. It shows in her devotion to her son, her job, and her willingness to juggle both of her responsibilities. In a way, she also seems kind of lonely.
I feel that we are just beginning to know Max- little glimpses that will open up to a full character. He seems to feel out of place, trapped, and desperate for something that maybe he can't even understand. His surrender to his mother about going to Maitland also shows that he really cares about her.
Marianne seems to have a good heart, and very protective of her son. She knows that something can help her son, and she's willing to take risks to do that. She also seems to really accept her situation, moreso than Danielle does.
Dr. Reyes-Moreno seems to know exactly what to say to familiy members to get them to cooperate, except for perceptive Danielle of course. The character makes me uneasy, and I feel as though I can't trust a word she says.
- I knew of Aspergers previously, but I did not know that it was considered a form of autism. I was shocked to learn that autism covers such a wide range of characteristics.
- Maitland seems too secretive. I didn't like the fact that they didn't observe Max before altering his medications! What if his behavior changed because of them? It makes me worry about other facilities, and if this is common behavior... which is a disturbing thought.
- I would have to say that she is a success. As a parent, I know that it's easy to mess up and not realize it unitl later that something didn't go according to plan. I think she does the best she can. She truly loves Max, and I think that makes her successful.
- The way she looked at his records doesn't surprise me. From expierience, I know that a parent will do anything to protect their child-even if it crosses the line. It does concern me, however, because she can't do anything to help Max from a jail cell, or if she's not allowed near him (which ultimately happened anyway).
- I think there is more to Jonas than Marianne believes. Her excuse that Jonas was trying to give Max a hug, could be denial on her part (although she can be completely right about Jonas's intentions). However, Max could be paranoid about Jonas's intentions. I think if Max truly felt fear, he could resort to violence because that has already happened when he hit Jonas.
- They way Antoinette writes gruesome scenes definitely works for me! I have never liked 'blunt writing.' I enjoy similies, metaphors, and comparisons to describe situations and characteristics!
Willow
WaterlillyWillow wrote:Hope you stay safe Debbie, and hopefully you won't lose power!
- Character Analysis
Danielle seems to be a dedicated person. It shows in her devotion to her son, her job, and her willingness to juggle both of her responsibilities. In a way, she also seems kind of lonely.
I feel that we are just beginning to know Max- little glimpses that will open up to a full character. He seems to feel out of place, trapped, and desperate for something that maybe he can't even understand. His surrender to his mother about going to Maitland also shows that he really cares about her.
Marianne seems to have a good heart, and very protective of her son. She knows that something can help her son, and she's willing to take risks to do that. She also seems to really accept her situation, moreso than Danielle does.
Dr. Reyes-Moreno seems to know exactly what to say to familiy members to get them to cooperate, except for perceptive Danielle of course. The character makes me uneasy, and I feel as though I can't trust a word she says.
- I knew of Aspergers previously, but I did not know that it was considered a form of autism. I was shocked to learn that autism covers such a wide range of characteristics.
- Maitland seems too secretive. I didn't like the fact that they didn't observe Max before altering his medications! What if his behavior changed because of them? It makes me worry about other facilities, and if this is common behavior... which is a disturbing thought.
- I would have to say that she is a success. As a parent, I know that it's easy to mess up and not realize it unitl later that something didn't go according to plan. I think she does the best she can. She truly loves Max, and I think that makes her successful.
- The way she looked at his records doesn't surprise me. From expierience, I know that a parent will do anything to protect their child-even if it crosses the line. It does concern me, however, because she can't do anything to help Max from a jail cell, or if she's not allowed near him (which ultimately happened anyway).
- I think there is more to Jonas than Marianne believes. Her excuse that Jonas was trying to give Max a hug, could be denial on her part (although she can be completely right about Jonas's intentions). However, Max could be paranoid about Jonas's intentions. I think if Max truly felt fear, he could resort to violence because that has already happened when he hit Jonas.
- They way Antoinette writes gruesome scenes definitely works for me! I have never liked 'blunt writing.' I enjoy similies, metaphors, and comparisons to describe situations and characteristics!
Willow
Willow thanks for the good wishes, so far so good. We are seeing heavy sleet right now which is a whole lot better than the freezing rain they predicted, but it will increase the snow amounts to maybe as much as 2 feet. 
Thanks for your responses
I especially agree with you on the misunderstanding about Autism, Danielle being a good parent and the secretiveness of Maitland.
I also love Antoinette's prose like dialogue not because it's easier to take the bad stuff but mainly I just love her metaphors. I remember one especially poignant comparison in chapter 3 where she compares the parents in the group session to burn victims. "The look like burn victims steeling themselves before another layer of skin is stripped away." There are much more but that's the one that really spoke to me and even though I have no personal knowledge of what these people are going through she made me feel a part of that group.
Okay ladies and gents, this is my first post discussing a book. Be nice!
Talk about your first impressions of the characters in Part 1.
Danielle - What a strong female! I just cannot imagine being single balancing a legal career and a child who needs special care. My instincts tell me that she will have to give up her legal career completely before the end of the novel, but I may be wrong!
Max - I'm still trying to decide what I think about Max to be honest. I feel like he is a child that is desperately searching for some normalcy in his life. I am probably stating the obvious, but he is so misunderstood.
Marianne - She bothers me. I think she just feels so fake relating to Danielle. Maybe she is involved in some sort of Maitsland sceme...ha.
Dr. Reyes-Moreno - My initial reaction was simple - I hate her. I very quickly jumped to conclusions when she limited Danielles interactions with Max. After a while though, I decided that I also could see her turning into a more positive influence. As a teacher in a private school, I often find myself frustered with over involved parents looking over my shoulder. Now, I appreciate the involvement, but at times parents cross the line and tell me how I should do my job. I feel like Dr Reyes-Moreno would deal with the same thing in her profession (only intensified). I can understand wanting to keep parents at an arms length, so you can do your job effectively.
We learn that Max has been diagnosed with Aspergers a form of Autism.
Did you learn anything new about Autism from this part of the novel?
I've never thought of children having Autism or Aspergers as being depressed and possibly suicidal.
Max is placed in a highly respected institution for assessment of his condition
What are your overall feelings about Maitland and it’s staff?
First of all, I got a kick out of the location. I live in Des Moines, IA, and there really aren't THAT many novels that refer to Iowa. Maitland might be hiding something. I think the lack of communication and expectations with the parents is fishy. Many problems can be solved with open communication.
I like the male staff member (can't think of his name). I think he just seems more understanding and likely to relate to Max.
Do you think Danielle is a success in her role of single parent and sole provider for her and Max?
Hmm...I think that she is doing the best she can, but everything is starting to spin out of control. Both her legal career and Max are demanding all her time, and she won't be able to continue with both.
Considering her profession does Danielle’s illegal actions to learn the contents of Max’s medical records?
It suprised me to a point because she should know better. The law is the law, and I expect those responsible for "knowing" the law first hand to uphold the law. With that said, it didn't surprise that she would be willing to do ANYTHING to protect her son.
When part one ends we discover what the prologue was describing
From what you know about Max so far
Did he do it?
Could he do it?
Could he do it? Probably. He seems to be very confused and likely not on the correct dosage of medication. Did he do it? I don't think so. I have a feeling there is more to the situation and I can't wait to read the rest of the novel!
Antoinette van Heugten uses beautiful prose like dialogue to describe some disturbing and sometimes gruesome scenes.
Does it work for you?
Interesting, I haven't really thought about it before now. All I have to say is I did not want to stop after part 1, so it must work for me!
Antoinette4 wrote:Hello everyone! I am so excited that the discussion is now underway. As we get started, I just want everyone to know how appreciative I am that all of you have taken time to read the novel and to participate in this forum. I'll do my best to answer all of your questions and get back to each one of you. Here we go!
Antoinette van Heugten
Thanks so much for taking time out of your very busy schedule for doing this Antoinette. We will all have to put on our seat belts and get ready for the ride
Saving Max
Part 1 Questions
Talk about your first impressions of the characters in Part 1
Danielle - I think Danielle is a loving mother who will do anything to help her son. She has raised her son on her own and she hates to see him hurting. Maitland is a last resort that I don't think she really wants to do.
Max - is a loving boy who has been diagnosed w/ Aspergers and is just trying to fit in and be liked. He loves his mom but doesn't really know how to talk to her, I would say because of Aspergers.
Marianne - I do not like Marianne. I think she is fake. I think she is putting on a show and I think there is way more to her story than she is letting on. She is not as nice as she appears to be.
Saving Max
Part 1 Questions
We learn that Max has been diagnosed with Aspergers a form of Autism
Did you learn anything new about Autism from this part of the novel?
I didn't really learn anything new
Max is placed in a highly respected institution for assessment of his condition
What are your overall feelings about Maitland and it’s staff
I don't know...Maitland seems kind of weird to me. I trust Dr. R-M, I think she has too muchg faith in some of her staff, but I am not really sure about Nurse Kreng and there just seems to be something funny about Dr. Fastow and the medicine he is prescribing...it just doesn't seem right. Something is off.
Do you think Danielle is a success in her role of single parent and sole provider for her and Max
I think Danielle is a success as a single parent and sole provider. She is extemely worried about her son and knows something is wrong at Maitland. She will do anything to get the answers and protect her child. She is trying hard to make partner to pay the bills for Maitland or any other medical facility he needs to attend. Her son is her everything and she doesn't want to see him hurting and he always comes first in her life.
Considering her profession does Danielle’s illegal actions to learn the contents of Max’s medical records
It doesn't surprise me...I think any parent, would do whatever they needed to in order to protect their child. If that means breaking into a computer, to try and figure out what is up, then I think any parent would do it, if they knew how.
When part one ends we discover what the prologue was describing
From what you know about Max so far
I don't think Max did it and I don't think he could do it. I think he was made to look like he did it because he was an easy target.
Antoinette van Heugten uses beautiful prose like dialogue to describe some disturbing and sometimes gruesome scenes.
I love Antoinette's writing. I did not want to put this book down and read it in a couple of days. I do have to say I figured it out early on but I could not stop reading. Not only for the why but because it was just an overall great book. Thank you so much for selecting it...I really enjoyed reading it
WaterlillyWillow wrote:
lindsey_BB wrote:
Marianne - She bothers me. I think she just feels so fake relating to Danielle. Maybe she is involved in some sort of Maitsland sceme...ha.
Since you mention it, it does seem really fake in a way... It might be that, or that she has just accepted her situation far more happily than a normal person would... Her line "Oh, God, Danielle, you've got to help me. Promise me that you will keep your boy away from Jonas." really disturbed me, even when I read it the first time. Now that you mention the possibility of her being fake, it bothers me even more... maybe I'm just reading too much into it?
I don't think you are reading too much into it. When I read part 1, Marianne was just strange to me. It is almost like she was too involved, which I know is weird to say because you should be involved as a parent, but I just think some of the meetings she had w/ Dr. Fastow didn't seem right. And her wanting instant friendship w/ Danielle was very odd to me. It was too quick of a buddy buddy friendship..I was thinking something definitely was off
lindsey_BB wrote:
Thanks for the info on Dwayne. I am reading it on my Nook and find it much harder to go back for information that I can't remember. That is the ONLY thing I dislike about my Nook - much love here!
I totally agree with this statement Lindsey - you can't put a post-it flag on a nook page to go back to, there is a bookmark but it just doesn't do it for me. When I read a novel on the nook for a discussion I find myself using as much paper as the book would have been printed on
1archi1 wrote:
Saving Max
Part 1 Questions
Max is placed in a highly respected institution for assessment of his condition
What are your overall feelings about Maitland and it’s staff
I don't know...Maitland seems kind of weird to me. I trust Dr. R-M, I think she has too muchg faith in some of her staff, but I am not really sure about Nurse Kreng and there just seems to be something funny about Dr. Fastow and the medicine he is prescribing...it just doesn't seem right. Something is off.
When part one ends we discover what the prologue was describing
From what you know about Max so far
I don't think Max did it and I don't think he could do it. I think he was made to look like he did it because he was an easy target.
Antoinette van Heugten uses beautiful prose like dialogue to describe some disturbing and sometimes gruesome scenes.
I love Antoinette's writing. I did not want to put this book down and read it in a couple of days. I do have to say I figured it out early on but I could not stop reading. Not only for the why but because it was just an overall great book. Thank you so much for selecting it...I really enjoyed reading it
arch I wanted to talk about your responses here.
the response about Maitland could have right out of my mouth, they are exactly the way I feel about it.
about your response about Max and did he could he.
You said he's an easy target, is that because he's been disruptive or because of just where he is in a secure facility.
And you said you don't think he could have done it, I take that to believe that you believe Danielle's version of Max over Maitland's.
Again thanks for no spoilers I know it's hard when you know all the answers
