UM Book Club: The King of Methlehem by Mark Lindquist - Part III
September 19, 2007 by Greg
Next Assignment
Pages: 179 - 235 (the end)
Due: Wednesday Sep 26th, Noon.
Part III
pages 120-178
Characters
- Howard Schulz - Meth cook
- Wyatt James - Detective
- Martin - Initial tweaker narc turning informant
- Midget - New narc found at identity theft scene
- Brandy - Howard’s current meth lab host
- Porche - Brandy’s 12 year old daughter
- Joe - Brandy’s 10 year old son
- Suki - Wyatt’s girlfriend
- Mike Lawson - Prosecutor
- June - Mike’s girlfriend
- Cocktail Ted Haller - Howard’s public defender
Compared with the last 60 pages, this next installment brings fewer changes. Mike becomes aware that Howard Schulz is awaiting trial and notifies Wyatt. Wyatt in the middle of a deep conversation with Suki answers the call ultimately leading to the end of their relationship.
Meanwhile, Howard convinces Porche to skip school, take off her clothes, and consume meth with him. The evidence in Howard’s case is suppressed after the judge determines the police officer made a pretextual stop. Howard, a newly free man, discovers martin has an extended trial date and is most likely operating as an informant. He then buys an electric chainsaw.
Points:
- How will Howard’s pedophiliac behavior harm him? Or is the author simply using this as a character builder?
- What is Howard doing with the electric chainsaw?
Thoughts?
I know someone with a Kitchen Aide Mixer… It’s real nice.
There’s a certain vicarious thrill that comes with reading others’ self distructive and unnerving behavior. For that reason, this expanse of pages is one of my favorite in the book. Howard is no innocent lamb, but Porche’s contribution to her own debasing is worth noting.
I could spill the beans on the electric chainsaw but shall refrain