Personal Roots

Throughout the novel, Falk struggles with the internal tension between his origins in Kiewarra and the bitter history that has corrupted those origins. As a result, Falk feels a dramatic conflict between his past and present with regards to the place he considers his hometown. Despite Falk’s many happy memories of growing up in Kiewarra, various misfortunes have transformed his hometown into a nightmarish landscape. For example, after Ellie Deacon died, Falk and his father were forced to move away from Kiewarra due to widespread rumors about Falk’s involvement in Ellie’s death. When Falk and his father move away, they share the sentiment, “My friends and my life are back there” (212). However, when Falk finally returns to Kiewarra as an adult, he finds no warm reception waiting him. The town is plagued by drought, and people still suspect Falk of killing Ellie...