Early Chapters

[Rachel-K]

Please use this thread to discuss the early chapters, from the novel's opening, through page 101 of the Harper Collins hardback.

(Apologies for the use of page numbers, but we must because our chapter breaks are signified by the small figure of an eagle rather than numbers!)

[IBIS]

We meet the Clefts in their idyllic eden, and they are not attractive. They are described as layabouts who don't have much initiative. Except for their monthly cycles, their lives are circumscribed around catching fish, feeding, living in their caves, and giving birth.

They don't question their existence, don't aim for anything other than what they know. Things are done the way they've been done for ages. There's no point in questioning their existence.

If this is a creation myth, why aren't there any specific characters? I was hoping for revelations of the psychology of some main characters. In the Old Testament, Adam and Eve had traits that somewhat explained their behavior.

So far, I find the Clefts simply too far away, without concepts of individuality, or love.

IBIS