Somebody Up There Hates You (18 page)

Authors: Hollis Seamon

BOOK: Somebody Up There Hates You

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Me, too. One more thing to do. It's cool, though. I've got role models. I'll wait for my moment, and then I'll do it right.

I mean, no sense waiting for your birthday when you already grew up, right?

Don't worry about me. It's all right. Shit, any way you look at it, me and Sylvie, we're both going to be okay. Swear to God.

And, really, that's all I got to say.

Over and out.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

First, profound gratitude to my brother-in-law, Matt Dyksen, who enjoyed the harpist in his hospice unit and who really did, through it all, maintain a cheerful mind. Many thanks to the readers of earlier versions of this book who gave me such helpful suggestions: Bill Patrick, Tobias Seamon, Dan Dyksen, Libby Dyksen, Erika Goldman, and Nalini Jones. I am also grateful to Danielle Ofri, who published the original “SUTHY Syndrome” story in
Bellevue Literary Review
and who has been a wonderful supporter of my work. Thanks to the College of Saint Rose for the gift of a sabbatical leave to work on my writing. And a very special thanks to Gail Hochman and Elise Howard for sharing their enthusiasm, knowledge, and wisdom.

Finally, to the doctors, nurses, and staff who care for sick kids in hospitals and hospices everywhere, unending gratitude and admiration.

SOMEBODY UP THERE HATES YOU

Hollis Seamon

Algonquin Young Readers

Questions for Discussion

The book begins with an epigraphâa quotationâfrom Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius: “Wait for death with a cheerful mind.” What do you think of that philosophy? Do any of the characters embody it completely? Who has the most trouble embracing that attitude?
Richie calls his disease SUTHY Syndrome, an acronym for “Somebody Up There Hates You.” What does this tell you about Richie's attitude toward his situation? About his sense of humor?
Why is Richie's nickname, “King Richard,” significant? What do you think it says about how other people see Richie, how he sees himself, or the role he plays in the hospice?
Phil's drawings of the patients on Richie's floor are not exactly true-to-life. What might Phil be trying to depict in his illustrations? In what ways are his drawings realistic?
Why is Kelly-Marie an important character? In what ways does she help Richie?
Why does Sylvie believe that she'll get better, even in the face of terminal illness?
After Richie upsets Jeanette by staying out too late, Edward tells him, “You got to grow up, man.” What does “growing up” mean in a context where Richie won't age much more at all? Do you think Richie grows up or changes at all over the few days during which the book takes place?
Richie's mom and Sylvie's dad have very different ways of dealing with their grief. How do these differences come across? How do you think their attitudes might affect their kids?
What do you make of the poker game scene? What does it tell you about the value of time in the hospice?
The end of the book is somewhat open-ended. Do you think it's a sad ending, or a hopeful one? Why?

Questions for Discussion prepared by Avery Finch

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