The Poacher's Son, Early Chapters: 1-7

[Kauai-Guy]

I see Mike as this independent guy but not a loner. He's in contact with people too much to be that. Mike isn't someone suited for a desk job; maybe that's why the lawyer gig wasn't an option. The life of a warden agrees with him because he likes the outdoors, enforcing the law, and can work without someone hovering over him.

Jack is a tough guy. He's the most interesting character so far; maybe because he doesn't show feelings easily and is hard to get to know. I want to know what makes this guy tick.

This is a complicated father/son relationship. The author has Mike becoming a warden out of embarassment over his dad and the need to please his father. I don't see Mike as someone who wants to please anyone; but I do think there's something about wanting to separate himself from his dad and to show the world he's not like his father. At the same time he wants a relationship with his dad and to have his father accept him as a man.

Regarding romantic relationships: Jack still loves his ex. Sarah wanted a man she could tame. Mike isn't about to let a woman mold him into something he's not. He misses Sarah now but it's better she's gone. I thought Jack made a good point to Mike early on by asking, "would you die for her (Sarah)?" Mike doesn't answer and that says it all.

My expecations are that Mike and Jack will form a better relationship. He's innocent of any charges I'm sure. I think there's a story being developed about the German POW who escaped. Jack knows something. I also think Mike is going to find a woman who loves him unconditionally.

My book blog is: Books Are Like Candy Corn

[becke_davis]

What is Mike Bowditch like? What about his father?

Mike reminds me of my brother, who lives in Vermont and spends much of his life outdoors, but who is not as much of a loner as Mike is.

While Mike is a loner, he doesn't seem to have problems relating to others. Kathy seems to respect him, and it sounds like the break-up with Sarah was his doing, not hers. He was shaped by his father (who was shaped by his father before him), but his mother and step-father must have also influenced him. I get the impression that even though Mike is young, he has a solid core. 

He is protective of others (Sarah and the young boy, for example) and he takes his work very seriously. Even though he has mixed feelings about his relationship with his father, he still checks in with him periodically.

As to his father, he is a loner cut in a different mold, and I suspect he was formed by something dark that we haven't learned about yet. Something started him drinking, and continues to make him shun society -- and even his own son. I don't know much about him yet, but I get a sense of still waters under the Grizzly Adams exterior.

What are the romantic relationships like that have been described this far into the novel? What was Mike's relationship with Sarah like?

Mike still cares about Sarah, but that doesn't mean he can live with her. He's not happy about this dichotomy, and I think it bothers him that he can't be what she wants him to be. Still, I think it's a credit to him that he was honest with her. I read romance a lot, so I wonder if something might develop with him and Kathy. She is better suited to him, but it would be problematic because she is his boss.

How do Mike's attitudes so far seem similar to and different from the people around him?

We see Mike as a sort of reflection of his father - the lighter and darker sides of the loner personality. They both love the outdoors, but seem to be drawn to it for different reasons.

Mike seems to be aware of what others are thinking, and I get the impression he has an analytical personality. He's curious to a point, but will ignore the curiosity if it takes him out of his comfort zone. Of course, I haven't seen him interact with many people yet, so I could be misinterpreting this.

What are your early expectations for the story? What has shaped your sense of what to expect?

Like many of you, I'm wondering if the missing prisoner will play a part in the story, or if the story is intended to give the story a sense of undercurrents, and an impression that the woods hide a lot more than nature. The bear seems to be a metaphor for nature run amok, impressing us with the danger and unpredictability of the place Mike chooses to live. I'm also wondering if the bear is going to play a critical part later in the story.

The tone of the book and the direction of Mike's reflections and observations are shaping my sense of what to expect. I'm curious about his father, curious to see if he'll resolve his ambivalent relationship with Sarah and I'm expecting things to get worse -- in every way -- before they get better.

[Vermontcozy]

Mike is a wonderful man,dealing with many issues from his childhood,Those issues have held him back in a way from pursuing a Career as a Lawyer..So early on though,it might've been Sarah's dream for him,not his.I think not only does he love what he does,now ,he can also keep tabs on his father,,Not much about his Mom yet..I haven't any feelings yet...Unfortunately his father is a casualty of the Vietnam War..It did change him,but I do feel somewhere deep down,he is a good man.....Sarah tried to change Mike, ,that happens,..I think his self inflicted "Hermit"like existence works for him now,he has many people around him that care,so he is not entirely alone,but relationships are not on the agenda for now..He is a caretaker of these "Friends" he feels responsible for them,and all the wildlife as well...He might have More education than some,but he is just one of them,and that suits him,he is very comfortable in his surroundings... 

i expect some Danger lies ahead,but I am trying to stay with the schedule,although I have read ahead.On Chapter 12''''Its becoming what I read ,as much as I can.Slowly.This is just a perfect fit for me.Susan VT

[rosia408]

Mike is very much like his father in that his is also a loner and prefers to be in the Maine Woods. Both have failed at relationships. Mike really does love his father though, in spite of the abandonment he experienced as a child and wants a relationship with his father. Mike also has smoothed out those rough edges that his alcoholic father has not been able to manage to do. Mike really cares about people but keeps them at a distance as we see he chooses being a Warden over giving Sarah the life she would have wanted if he had been a lawyer. He shows he cares about the law by his worrying about that little DeSalles boy and his belligerent father not having enough flotation devices.

I think that Mike is going to go to any lengths to try to prove that his father is innocent, even though they don't have any type of a good relationship. I am wondering what part that POW will play out in all of this. Also I am wondering about that DeSalles character. Will he pop up again? What abouit that little boy?

[babzilla41]

I'm still trying to figure out why Mike was pushing DeSalle so hard.  Although it is his job to make sure boat registrations are up to date and life preservers are on board etc, he also knew that he was antagonizing DeSalle to the point where he was taking his anger out on his little boy.  Mike knew the kid was in for it beacuse he was throwing his authority around.  If he saw himself in the little boy, it doesn't make sense that he would put him in that position.  He knew that DeSalle was hard on the kid because when he fell from the boat he told him "Don't you cry. Don't you cry."  By the end of that passage, I disliked both DeSalle and Mike.

[becke_davis]

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babzilla41 wrote:

I'm still trying to figure out why Mike was pushing DeSalle so hard.  Although it is his job to make sure boat registrations are up to date and life preservers are on board etc, he also knew that he was antagonizing DeSalle to the point where he was taking his anger out on his little boy.  Mike knew the kid was in for it beacuse he was throwing his authority around.  If he saw himself in the little boy, it doesn't make sense that he would put him in that position.  He knew that DeSalle was hard on the kid because when he fell from the boat he told him "Don't you cry. Don't you cry."  By the end of that passage, I disliked both DeSalle and Mike.

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I think Mike saw himself in the boy. And when he was that age, he did what his dad asked of him even if it was uncomfortable.

[skrupp]

While Mike appears to have chosen to be a loner, I get the sense that some of that is due to fear caused by his childhood.  He obviously had some bad experiences growing up with his parents splitting up and even some to the experiences Mike hints at at rum pond during the one summer.  He wants to get acceptance from his father and yet is still trying to determine who he is.

Mike's father is a "tough to tell" character.  The war seems to have changed who he use to be which shouldn't surprise anyone that has interaction with a POW.  He is a character that will be interesting to watch develop.  I hope to see more information about the father come out in the book.

As I have read this book part of me felt that Mike had some fears with relationships (probably due to his parents relationships) and did not have the trust to be in one with Sarah and therefore, forced her out of his life. 

[mgorbatjuk]

I like Mike. I think he's a loner because he doesn't want to be disappointed in anyone else. He's got his parents that have let him down incredibly. Although he's loyal to them to the degree he doesn't want anyone coming in to take their places either. I do not like Mike's dad. At this point I'm not sure what he would be capable of when drunk, And it doesn't sound like he's sober too much of the time.

[T-Mo]

I tend to agree- that exchange between MIke and DeSalle left me with a bit of a negative outlook toward Mike. I also couldn't figure out why he was pushing DeSalle so hard when he knew it was going to have an adverse affect on the little boy. Based on Doiron's descriptions it was obvious that Mike knew the boy was already suffering from anxiety for whatever reason. And that anxiety clearly continued to grow as Mike continued to push the boy's father. I couldn't help but thinking he was just throwing his weight around because he was trying to prove himself for some unknown reason. Mike certainly came across as pompous during this exchange. I understand doing your job but it just seemed as if his whole exchange with DeSalle was calculated to push the guy to the extreme. Why did he wait until the little boy climbed into the boat before he asked about the life jackets- he could have just as easily brought them up when DeSalle and the boy were still on land. Seemed to me that Mike was just looking for any reason possible to keep them from enjoying their fishing trip. 

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babzilla41 wrote:

I'm still trying to figure out why Mike was pushing DeSalle so hard.  Although it is his job to make sure boat registrations are up to date and life preservers are on board etc, he also knew that he was antagonizing DeSalle to the point where he was taking his anger out on his little boy.  Mike knew the kid was in for it beacuse he was throwing his authority around.  If he saw himself in the little boy, it doesn't make sense that he would put him in that position.  He knew that DeSalle was hard on the kid because when he fell from the boat he told him "Don't you cry. Don't you cry."  By the end of that passage, I disliked both DeSalle and Mike.

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[Lil_Irish_Lass]

It's going to be REALLY difficult sticking with the reading schedule for this book! I wouldn't necessarily say that Mike is lonely, rather that he prefers to live a solitary life (doesn't mean he's sad or that it's a bad thing). Those who have difficult parents and rocky relationships with them (much like Mike has with his father) seem to grow up being used to being on their own and have a hard time factoring in another person's needs or even the simple act of relying on someone else.

I think that the tension and distance between Mike and his father is going to be fascinating to see develop. I agree with Mike, his Dad isn't a cop killer, though unfortunately he has an abrasive personality so it will be harder for others to see past the exterior and habits to discover the truth. And the fact of the matter is that one cop is dead, another wounded and while the police want to arrest the actual killer, there will be pressure to convict SOMEONE of the crime, and Mike's Dad is the perfect scapegoat.

I can't wait to pick up TPS again so I can see what happens next.

[MsReaderCP]

I was surprised as a couple of others were at the young age of Mike.  However, it gives the reader a chance to start out with him on him on his life and follow through with many sequels and marriage and kids and all kinds of adventures; rather than the usual  older law enforcement officer predicament - wife has usually already left him and he's an alcoholic.  Of course there has to be conflict and apparently a lot of writers identify with alcoholism, but this is a refreshing protagonist.

Also I was glad someone brought up DeSalle.  With this young age of 24 comes mistakes.  Mike is going through a lot and obviously took some of it out on DeSalle and yes, DeSalle's kid suffered.  (Please don't tell me he would have suffered without a lifepreserver, my point is I think Mike went overboard and you could tell from writing he was power hungry.  He could take control of this situation and he can't do anything about his dad's situation.  So it's the motivation behind what he did that bothers me. 

Also a lot has been said about the bear.  The bear showed me how much Mike 1. loved his job, willing to look for it at any hour or time and 1. respects nature.  He repeatedly told people not to shoot the bear.  He intended to tranq or trap it.

[Lil_Irish_Lass]

As far as the bear subplot is concerned, the bear IS Maine. He is the untamed wilderness that has been forced to deal with modern human society as it further encroaches on his territory. Had the bear had his free reign of the undeveloped woods he would never have taken the pig or tried to break in to that annoying woman's home for food.

He fits nicely with the murder plot dealing with the Canadian logging company who is looking to further develop and market the land.

[BookWoman718]

Mike is a decent young man, who has chosen a way to “come home” to the scene of his early childhood, choosing a profession that is an honorable contrast to the way his father chose to live his life. Nevertheless, he has not chosen to emotionally distance himself from his father; instead he believes that he understands the reasons for Jack’s failures as a father, a husband, and a law-abiding citizen. The result is that he feels a loyalty to his father, probably born out of years of being his father’s only defender. He’s accustomed to having no one who has a good word to say about Jack.

Mike got into a serious relationship leading to marriage, far too young. It wasn’t clear to his wife that he was not cut out to be a lawyer; indeed, he apparently allowed her to hope he might ‘change.’ It’s an easy mistake to make when you’re young and in love. It takes a lot of wisdom and courage to give up the idea that ‘love conquers all’ and that there are some basic differences in the way people want to live their lives that just can’t be overcome. He misses Sarah; they had been together for a long time, but he is more often completely comfortable living and doing his job without the company of others. He would be better off if he were to meet a young woman who shares his passion for living simply, in the wilderness, perhaps an environmental scientist or water expert.

I think the stories of the failed relationships echo one another to drive home the difficulty of maintaining a marriage in a place where so many things, despite the surrounding beauty, are hardships. Few amenities, little money, snowstorms, mud, dangerous animals, teeming insects - life in the woods is not easy. No wonder there’s resentment of those who can afford to come to ‘taste it’ in luxury - the potential buyers of the proposed land development.

[MSaff]

Hello Again All,

  Mike Bowditch  loves the outdoors and has chosen a career which places him in the outdoors.  I believe he is an environmentalist dedicated to the protection of the wilderness and he truly loves his work.  Mike is also relatively new in his field and has a lot to learn, but my guess is that he is going to do just fine.  He is a capable young man and apparently knows what he wants to do with his life.  He also wants to give back, and his education is allowing him to do that in his chosen profession. 

  Mike's father appears to be a bitter man.  He also appears to have been dealt a rotten hand, yet he has chosen to wallow in his bitterness.  Mike's father is also a loner.  I can understand how that happened, as he is described as a Viet Nam War Vet, with underlying issues.  I too am a Viet Nam Veteran, and for a long time I couldn't talk to anyone about my time in country.  This is what I believe Mike's father is going through and for some reason, he has not come out of his stupor.  One other thing I noticed is that he is extremely confrontational with a very short fuse.  Not a man to fool with, if you catch my drift.

  As for the romantic relationships thus far in the novel, the only one that stands out is that between Mike and Sarah.  I know that this sounds crazy, but Sarah was looking for stability and a 9 - 5 job for Mike, and when he decided to go in a different direction, the relationship simply fell away.  I don't think that there's any bad feelings on either party's part, but they weren't going to mesh.

  My early expections for the stroy have been met.  The author is weaving a neat little time line and story together with twists and turns thrown in to keep the attention of the reader.  I don't think we are going to figure this one out any to early. 

  The story about the German Prisoner of War and the bear incidents and keeping my attention, as well as the murder of the Sheriff's Deputy and intriguing in themselves.

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Rachel-K wrote:

What is Mike Bowditch like? What about his father?

What are the romantic relationships like that have been described this far into the novel? What was Mike's relationship with Sarah like?

What are your early expectations for the story? What has shaped your sense of what to expect?

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[kittydanza]

What is Mike Bowditch like? What about his father?

Mike seems to always be fighting against his past with his father. He is always trying to make right for himself and doesn't let anyone in the way of what he wants. His father feels that he has been let down in life and is just letting it pass him by. 

What are the romantic relationships like that have been described this far into the novel? What was Mike's relationship with Sarah like?

Mike's father was left by his mother and it devastated his father, still does. Mike's relationship with Sarah was full of expectations that were not realistic for them. I could tell from their meeting Mike's father and her expectations of their relationship that it would not work out. 

How do Mike's attitudes so far seem similar to and different from the people around him?

They are similar in the fact that he is immersed in his life as a warden as well as the others around him are immersed in their lives and not really concerned with the world around them. His attitude is different from those around him because he has more of a worldly view that the others around him do not share, and this is what separates him. 

What are your early expectations for the story? What has shaped your sense of what to expect?

From these first chapters I can only hope for a great thrill ride. The setup of the characters and the background of the area has shaped my view on what to expect in the later chapters. 

[tennisgirl3194]

What is Mike Bowditch like? What about his father?

Mike is a guy who loves nature and working as a Warden so much that when Sarah leaves him, he thinks it's for the best. He misses Sarah but knows it'll be less stressful when it's only him at home if he gets called to work in the middle of the night. He likes to help others, even when they are not appreciative of his help. His job is his main priority, it's what he loves to do. He seems like a nice guy.

His father, however, has a long criminal record and gets into fights all of the time. It seems like he cares about Mike, at least the tiniest bit, but he is too caught up in messing up his own life that he doesn't time the time to actually talk to Mike.

What are the romantic relationships like that have been described this far into the novel? What was Mike's relationship with Sarah like?

Mike and Sarah seemed to have a good relationship, then Sarah released she wanted more than what Mike had to offer. She wanted a lawyer for a husband and she wanted Mike to make more money. She wasn't happy being with a Game Warden, and Mike started to distance himself from her. They eventually broke it off.

What are your early expectations for the story? What has shaped your sense of what to expect?

I'm hoping that Mike will get to talk with his father and find out what's been going on with him for the last couple of years. They've been out of touch for a while, and I'm hoping they can repair their relationship.

[nymazz]

What are the romantic relationships like that have been described this far into the novel? What was Mike's relationship with Sarah like?

The obvious problem with Mike and Sarah is that she wants him to leave his job and go to law school, while he is obviously happy being a Warden.  I think their bigger problem is that Mike doesn't feel he can live up to what's needed to maintain a loving relationship, he's a loner and Sarah can't cope with all of the time he spends on the job leaving her alone.

What are your early expectations for the story? What has shaped your sense of what to expect?

My expectations for the book at this time are very high, I want to learn more about Mikes father and what happened in his life to shape his personality. When Mike went to see his mother after his father escaped, she mentioned that she still speaks to Jack which surprised me, and I hope we learn more about that.  

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[ilenekm]

I agree with some of the posts that said that Mike is very much like his father. He became a warden in defiance of his father.  However, deep down I believe that he admires his father and his love of the outdoors. Even though they dont talk much, as soon as his father called, Mike dropped everything to try and find his father. It cant wait to read more to see what happens with his father and the murder investigation. I am guessing that the foreshadowing of the POW camp in the first chapter will come to play a big role later in the book.  I cant wait until this weekend when I can read the next set of chapters.

Now back to Holden Caufield

Ilene

[chris227]

What is Mike Bowditch like? What about his father?

  Mike appears to be a kind and idealistic man.  He appears to have been hurt greatly by the family turmoil he suffered in the past.  I believe he became a game warden to attempt to make amends for the lawless life of his father.  His father is more of a free spirit who seeks pleasure from life.  He drinks and smokes and gets into occaional brawls and finds nothing wrong with hunting and poaching.  They seem very different except in their inabilities to form close relationships.

What are the romantic relationships like that have been described this far into the novel? What was Mike's relationship with Sarah like?

The romantic relationships described so far have ended in sadness.  Mike's parents are divorced.  Mike and Sarah broke up, and the man we meet in the beginning of the novel is alone.  Mike's relationship with Sarah seemed as if it was good at first but quickly broke up after the two began drifting in different directions.  I believe Mike is afraid of getting close to anyone and cannot accept anyone completely into his life ecause he was injured by the broken relationship of his parents.

How do Mike's attitudes so far seem similar to and different from the people around him?

 As I had said earlier I think that Mike is idealistic.  His attitudes towards yje possibility of his father committing the murders is very fidderent from those around him.  Everyone else believes that as a criminal his father could have committed the crime but he thinks that his father is incapable of such a thing.

What are your early expectations for the story? What has shaped your sense of what to expect?

At this point I am no so sure what to expect.  I think that Mike will do everything that he can to help to prove his father's innocence and find the true killer.  I just hope for his sake that Mike is right and his father did not commit the crime.

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[Shaggy68]

Yes Amanda I was also surprised to find the character was only 24.  I was also picturing a 40ish type backwoods character.

The descriptive narratives are well written.  I have every chapter pictured in my mind so clearly I feel as though I am part of the character and story.  I even use an accent...LOL