Thalia @ Pictures in the Words

I probably should have guessed that this would not have the happiest of endings... The Cain and Abel metaphor was easier to process in these characters the closer I got toward the end, and I guess nothing could have worked out any other way. 

I will speak religiously now, because I am religious, so I do believe Cain was much more than just a story. It is interesting, for me at least, to see this played out in a way that makes me sympathetic (completely) to Cal (the Cain character), especially because Cain is the epitome of the first real evil in the world. He murdered his brother out of jealousy. But, although it was kind of the same, it was also much different for Cal, who did, inadvertanly, murder his brother out of jealousy as well. Cal, I believe, is the real hero of this story, as heartbreaking and uncomfortable his story may be.

So I did, for many reasons, love this book. I like that it made me think about things, acknowledge in a very interesting way that there is always more than one way to look at any story, and see those interpretations reflected here. I liked the writing and the characters, their development, and my emotional investment in all of them. I do wish the Eden metaphor had been a bit extended as far as Adam and Kate's story went, because Kate/Cathy reflected literally nothing of what Eve represents. (Although perhaps a large chunk of the Christian world believes Eve was evil--my religion doesn't believe Eve is the cause of all sin in the world, so I guess I don't know how Kate's character is supposed to be taken.) 

The one thing that bothered me was Lee, Adam's Chinese servant. He was wise and philosophical at times, yes, but most of the time, he seemed stuck up and snobbish. He yelled and humilated and degrated his friends, all in the name of making them see clearly. I only realized how much I disliked him when he started to get in on Cal after Adam got sick and Aron had died. Yeesh. I don't think I would have given this five stars anyway, that Lee was a major roadblock for me as far as enjoying this book fully went.

Still, four stars is nothing to scoff at, since it feels like I've read nothing but disappointment for the last several months. Yay!