I agree that if Johanna had gotten pregnant, the book would have taken a maudlin turn. But maybe it's the mother of teenagers in me--I'd like to have seen some sign that she understood the risks she was taking. By the 90s, AIDS was certainly well known enough that she would have heard of it, not to mention pregnancy.
I do wish Johanna had been less coy about her brother being gay. After all she's been through, she should be able to see what might be difficult for him going forward.
I would like to address your comments about the book but am too busy watching my skin turn green with envy at the thought of seeing Cumberbatch as Hamlet.
Also, what I like about Merlin is its cheeky disregard for authenticity. That and Arthur is a whiny baby. :-)
It is curious that someone so new to drinking seems to manage it so well.
I'm with the other commenters--I worry about her getting carried away with sex and ending up in worse shape with something that requires more than codeine and cranberry juice. It's one thing to be confident sexually, and another to be stupidly risky.
Heh. I missed those Star Wars inconsistencies too. Should have gotten them, given how many times I've seen the original trilogy.
Kayleigh, I'm with you--I didn't love this section as much. I fear Johanna is setting herself up for a big fall. I'm not saying she shouldn't have sex, but she's so reckless about it (and I don't think males have the right to be reckless either, but we're in Johanna's head here). Hurray! I'm no longer the only one bothered by the tense changes! :-)
I"m on the fence about Dolly and John Kite. I want it to work too, but I can't wrap my head around the age difference. Later in life that age difference wouldn't matter, but 16 and 24? Oof. I wonder about his intentions. The Norwegian Wood scene was lovely, but I'm still suspicious.
I really liked this section too. Except for more of the past/present tense switches, which annoy me. But her look at poverty and the outing with John Kite--brilliant.
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writerrea 
Brainchild