Paul finds the key to his lost memory late in the novel. In a flashback, he remembers that he did indeed kill his father during a desperate fight. The fight started when Paul happened upon his father while the father was sexually abusing Paul's sister. Paul himself had often been severely beaten by this seemingly mild-mannered man, but seeing his sister's pain was more than he could stand.

Teachers should be aware of this story strand before assigning the book.

However, it is handled with great sensitivity and indirection. In fact some young readers may read right through the passage without realizing what was going on. Paul's killing of his father is another possibly touchy issue. Given the circumstances, most people would feel him completely innocent or at least justified, but Paul's own conscience has not let him off so easily. Similar events are often covered...