The Heroines Redux: Does Penny have Multiple Personality Disorder?
Published January 28th, 2008Here’s a provocative interpretation of the novel, from Mike F. Agree or disagree?
“I very much enjoyed the book, especially when I think I “got it”. I must admit, I may be completely off base, but I saw this novel as a complex study of a woman with mutiple personalities. The mother & 13 year old daughter being the 2 main personalities that were able to see the “heroines” which were additional personalities that come & go. Mother was the care taker of the mind- never wanting to alter a visiting personality’s destiny and who kept the visiting personality from discovering that other personalities exists (other than Mother & Penny), because if that ever happened, madness would result, which occurs when the King wants to see Dierdrie which results in Mother losing control of the personalities, resulting in the trip to the psychic ward. Gretta the housekeeper was the strong one to take care of any problems. When Penny was committed to the mental ward, she created another character/personality to help her cope with the new surroundings- Florence the nurse, who was kind and kept an eye on her.
I loved the authors use of the Heroine’s state of mind being determined by what section of the novel the heroine hails from. It allowed the author to explore the many moods of the character- from happy to sad to depressed to confused, etc.
This is the most unique book I’ve ever experienced. I still have ongoing thoughts about the characters and which ones were real and which were a personality.
I definitely need to reread the book to see if my theories are correct, and if I am correct, I think the book cover should hint that this novel deals with mental health issue of multi personalities, but maybe the point of the book is to have the reader decide/interpret what the book reveals to themselves. Definitely a different journey for each reader.
I also think this book screams for a sequel.
If I am 100% wrong in my interpretation of the book, I apologize, but I had fun reading it, and will enjoy it even more when I reread it based on my multiple personality theory.”
Ron Falzone on January 28, 2008
Well, it’s a theory. I’ve wondered if, like Prospero, the heroines were actually creations of both Penny and her mother’s id. They arrive when that arrival serves an important need. For example, Deirdre shows up right when Penny is wrestling with her own confused pubescent feelings. The whole adventure that Deirdre leads her to is a last gasp of a child’s illusory view of romantic love as well as that transition to a darker and more adult view.
Chrissy on January 31, 2008
I guess I’m happier thinking that magic is possible and not trying to find a rational explanation for something so deeply satisfying. The book takes the what if of good fiction to a both surprising and reasonable conclusion. Needing a rational explanation for what happens is like needing God to understand the world. Some people do, some people don’t.
Bernadine Morrow on November 12, 2008
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