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Hi, Izzy,

Wow. You’re right. It’s comedic, but only semi.

I see very little reformation in Frank. Yes, he rises to the occasion at the end, but only because it has to be shocking to see your son on trial! The minute that’s resolved happily, he’s Frank again. I really don’t believe he would ever be able to change who he is, mostly because the real him just doesn’t get it. At the end, he realizes that his son dodged a bullet, and so did he. But it would never occur to him that he didn’t do right by the older son. 

BUT if by some chance he had a flash of sensitivity and actually realized how his behavior affected his boys, I think the boys would be old enough and wise enough to accept it at face value, and not expect it to be real, or to last very long.

I could be wrong. I’d LOVE to be wrong. But people who see ther kids as a means of proving their own self-worth usually can’t change, and don’t really understand that there’s anything wrong with them.

I have an amazing Dad, and my two grandfathers were everything a kid could hope for. So I don’t think I’m being cynical. But it’s what I believe about Frank. And you might save a little sympathy for Frank himself, who really is missing out.

Thanks Izzy, for writing, for your praise for my work, and for making me think about this!

                                                  Kindest regards,                                      —–Gordon Korman—–