Thanks for this post, esp. the last two paragraphs; you put things so well.

[Perhaps I ought to plan a re-read of the book for this summer, and see how it strikes me five years on from my first reading. I expect I might be even more impatient with Laurie and his waffling and his hurting Ralph (who was my favorite character practically as soon as he was introduced). Awugh, that book. As the kids are saying these days: 'all the feelings'.]