Searching for a Place to Belong

Many of the characters face issues of belonging, a concept to which most readers can relate.

The most obvious character struggling with where she belongs is Sophie. From the beginning of the novel, it is shown that she does not have a home she feels truly a part of. She does not love her father, even telling Agatha she wishes he were dead. Her mother is long dead and the women Stefan is marrying to replace her Sophie hates more than anybody. The only person she finds any comfort in is Agatha. Sophie tells her, “you and me, Aggie. That’s all I need to be good” (21). It is no surprise that Sophie feels betrayed when she learns of Agatha’s wish for a new happy ending. To her, it is the worst kind of betrayal. The friend she relied on...