Should John have been honest about his amnesia?

[George Anorue]

Of course, he should have been honest. It would have spared him a lot of trouble. Amnesia is a serious mental illness that should not be hidden. Perhaps it's because he had solid reasons to keep things hidden. On the other, the book would be drastically different if he had been honest. In that way, I'm glad he wasn't honest! Because it's a thrilling and delightful read!

[Amenrodion]

I understand his hesitation in discussing his amnesia condition but we must realise that the omission of his condition was a key part of the story development. In real life, however, I feel like a person would conceal such a serious condition if they felt unsafe around the people who are with them. Then again, I imagine that if you were to wake up with amnesia, you would have an automatic sense of distrust because you cannot remember anything.

[EternalD]

Generally, with minor exceptions, this is a matter that should never be kept secret. It's easy for us to get here and comment after we know all the events that happened, but still...

What is known for sure is that if he were sincere, the book would completely change and become much less attractive.

[Limpho Mojakisane]

I think communication would have prevented many hardships and a lot of inner turmoil. I've noticed patients with amnesia usually keep to themselves in novels and movies. I don't know about real life. John should have been more open but I also understand how hard it can be to open up. It made his character more real, in my eyes.

Well, as much as I agree with you on the issue that he should have been more open, I think the author purposely made his character to hide his amnesia. Why? Because I believe it also contributes to the story development. If John had been more open on his amnesia, then I don't think the story would have turned out the way it did.

[Cwilde13]

In a real life scenario, you should be honest with your doctors and family if you are suffering from something as serious as amnesia. This would not only affect you, but the people around you as well. However, for the sake of the story, John had to keep his amnesia a secret or the plot would not have unfolded the way that it did.

[Bukola02]

In my opinion, I think John should have opened up about his amnesia initially. It would have helped him avoid some of struggles. However, his decision to keep hidden is also valid. As certain people might take available of his memory loss. The plot twist made the book exciting to read else it would have been a boring read.

[Inge van Tonder]

I feel he definitely should have been honest! I can see that being scared might have been what caused him to lie in the first place, but he would have avoided it all if he just faced it and told the truth. But seeing as this caused the story to be more interesting, and having me think "You idiot!" the whole time, kept me on the edge of my seat to finish the book to know how it ended.

[victoriasimons]

From a practical point of view, I think he certainly should have been honest. However, from a character perspective, it is interesting that he isn't. It allows plot development, albeit a lot of frustration for the reader!

[Jolaade Idowu]

Of course, he should have been honest. His truthfulness would have saved him all the troubles he went through in the novel

[usef nahg]

i think by lying you create more problems for yourself, and thats what John does. He puts himself in situations he couldve easily avoided if he was honest. this is why honesty is important.

[Bridgette C 2]

Of course, he should have. How will he know himself? He needs people who can help him remember himself. If he won't, it's gonna be a dreadful feeling. It's gonna be frustrating.

[Jimmy Irvin]

I have to agree with everyone that he should have been honest about his amnesia. However, if he had told the truth, it would have taken that element out of the book. That element not being there would have drastically changed the storyline.

[Sharill Rasowo]

In a normal world, he should have shared that he could not remember anything. However, secrecy was needed in this book to push the plot forward. I also think he would have suffered less had he been more honest.

[Niklaus Mikaelson 1]

It would have been better if John was honest about his health condition. Honesty helps to create empathy link between two partners.

[Bello Qudus Ola]

i think john should have opened up about his mental illness, but on the other hand the novel would not be retriggering as it was