Finished second book: short stories

I've noticed that in many of the stories my author wrote the main character is in constant struggle with something. They go through internal struggle as well as trying to fight for their own individuality usually because they're different in some way. There is also a reoccurring mention of comic books or comic book characters. This may be due to the authors own preference to them and the books mimic his childhood or it has a deeper meaning. I thought that the main characters try to relate themselves to these comic books because they are so ridiculed and different that they long to be a 'super hero.' Super hero's are different as well but everyone loves them.

I just finished the book of 12 short stories and now going into my third and final book.

Pages 172-292

I have not noticed any symbols in my book yet. I have noticed that the style of the book is very different from any I have ever read. In a way it's a typical murder mystery except the author has chosen to make the main character have tourette's. We read from first person and read Lionel's random shouting and tics he has and what he does to control them or keep going despite them. The book relies completely on language specifically what Minna tells Linoel right before he dies, and with Linoel constantly twisting words around more obvious connections become entangled with random outbursts in Linoel's head or while he's talking. When in fact those 'random' words may have more meaning to more of the plot line. Yet, as we read about how Linoel struggles and his urge to tap, count, rearrange, ect we can see past him being just a human freak show and see that his intentions are good.

The only theme which could also go as a symbol is Tourette's just because it's compared to the city and technology so often. Tourette's could symbolize a constant flux of information and impulses which force their way through the human brain. Many people do not understand Lionel and just bypass him like he is invisible or call him a freak. Ironically a typical lifestyle is just that; rush of information and a lot of commotion coming at you all at once. People just take it for granted but when a person reacts in the same way we label them a freak.

Lionel has been going back and forth between people trying to figure out what is going on. We last left him at The Clients which were Minna's bosses. They want Lionel to find out where Minna's wife ran off too, we also find out that Tony has been sleeping with Minna's wife. When Lionel leaves Tony is waiting for him in a car, Tony is very hostile and pulls a gun on Linoel. Tony wants him to stop investigation and tells him that he knows too much. A homicide detective which had questioned Linoel before comes in time to save Lionel and we leave. Linoel goes back to the Zen retreat where Minna had went too before he died. He knocks on the door and meets with a young girl he saw before. Linoel then learns that Minna's brother is the main Buddhist teacher there and goes by the name Rashi. While they are all sitting in meditation the giant which had killed Minna arrives and so do the boys that kidnapped Linoel. Overcome with nervousness Linoel breaks the silence with his tics and the giant beats him up outside. When Lionel recovers conciseness he goes back to L&L where he sees the giant staking the place out, Linoel takes cover and watches both the giant and Tony inside. He calls Tony to warn him while Tony starts to threaten to kill him. Linoel waits in a car when Tony drives away followed by the giant. Linoel follows them both to Maine.

I have noticed that the theme growth has come up again. Lionel is growing in himself or searching for his own identity. While on his investigation the girl from the zen meditation place asks Linoel why he feels so guilty about Minna's death. She explains that most people mourn over their loss not obsess of finding the killer. Linoel is at loss because Minna was like his father and now he is gone he realizes that the other guys, "minna men", have no real connections to each other. When ever Lionel says his name his tic repeats it with very different sayings such as: Liable Guesscog, Laughing Gassrog, Confessdog, Freakshow, Valiant Daffodil, Alibi Diffident, Final Escrow, and ronic Pissclaim. These names show how Lionel sees himself. While going through his investigation he is on his own and desperately trying to find his own identity while still holding on to his past life.

Pages 74-172

Minna arrives at the boys' school one day with his brother Gerard. He tells the boys that he is leaving and doesn't know when he is coming back. Before going Minna gives Linoel a book on tourette's syndrome and this is the first time he's heard of it. Once Minna is gone the boys barely speak to each other. Lionel tries to a few medications for his tourette's but the side effects are worse then his actual disease. Linoel and the other boys attend High school and Linoel becomes a nobody, an 'invisible man' despite his tourette's. Three years go by before Minna comes back again, yet he has changed completely. He now has a wife and is more hardened. Minna doesn't have time for explanations and doesn't look at the world in a humorous way like he used too. Minna tells the boys to drop out of school in their senior year, and they start working for him. They are a detective agency yet their cover is L&L car services. The book goes back into present time where Linoel starts to investigate Minna's murder. Linoel is wary of the rest of the group and hesitant to what he is told although Tony is trying to become the new Minna.

So far I have seen growth or change as a constant theme. The obvious change is in Minna when he comes back much different than he left. The most important change I think is in Linoel. Once Minna died he broke from the 'stupid' stereotype and is now taking things into his own hands. He becomes more tough and represses his urge to shout out words more.

I have also noticed that the tourette's syndrome is being referenced a lot in many other aspects. The city itself is said to have some compulsive tendencies that can be called a 'tic.' Linoel notices some tics in people, such as when he waves at a man and he waves back seemingly involuntary. The most recent event where this is mentioned is on page 162 when Linoel takes a phone call in a restaurant. A man sitting by explains to him that he has been to all these fancy resturants the past week where people have been yaking on their phones. The man is upset because he thought that he could enjoy a hot dog without hearing people yak on their phones. He ends the conversation by yelling out "Fucking people talking to themselves in a public place like they got some kind of illness!"
Another important factor I found is that Linoel specifically says he has five hot dogs. He mentions that he has dropped the number 6 possibly because his tic was subtracting a digit for Frank. Yet, he realizes that he should be at four since him, tony, Gilbert, and Danny minus Frank came to four. On page 135 he says "I had an extra aboard, but who? Maybe it was Bailey. Or Irving." Baily is referring to a name that he picked up somewhere as a kid and has become a constant tic he goes back too. Irving is the name of the joke Minna mentions.