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.
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