It didn’t help that Renata’s older son Jackson was famous at school for winning chess tournaments, while Madeline’s son Fred was famous for being the only student in the history of Pirriwee Public brave enough to climb the giant Moreton Bay Fig tree and then leap the impossible distance onto the roof of the music room to retrieve thirty-four tennis balls. (The Fire Brigade had to be called to rescue him. Fred’s street cred at school was sky-high.) (查看原文)
Jane saw that Madeline’s feelings about Jane’s baking were similar to Jane’s feelings about Madeline’s accessories: confused admiration for an exotic behavior. (查看原文)
“Were you talking about Ziggy?” said Chloe chattily to Samantha. “He was crying today because Oliver’s dad said he had to stay far, far away from Ziggy because Ziggy is a bully.” “Oh for God’s sake,” said Madeline. “Oliver’s daddy is a bully. You should see him at the PTA meetings.” “So I punched Oliver,” said Chloe. “What?” said Madeline. “Just a little bit,” said Chloe. She gazed angelically up at them and hugged her teddy. “It didn’t hurt him that much.” (查看原文)
when she thought about Zach now it was remembering an old school friend, someone she would hug with geuine teary tenderness if they met at their school reunion, and then not see again until the next reunion (查看原文)
（Madeline googled Saxon Banks and thought)
What would she have done in Jane's. situation? She couldn't imagine herslef reacting the way Jane had. Madeline would have slapped him.
...
Perhaps this man specifically picked out girls who he knew would be vulnerable to his insults.
Or was this line of thought just another form of victim blaming? This wouldn't happen to me. I would have fought. He wouldn't have shattered my self-respect. Jane had been completely vulnerable at the time (which she shouldn't be in the first place), naked, in his bed, silly girl." (查看原文)
