The Book of Form and Emptiness

As Benny has retreated from the Book again in distress over his mother, the Book resumes narrating his story using the fly-on-the-wall perspective. Benny sits in his wheelchair looking out the window at Annabelle waiting at the bus stop. Benny brings himself to his feet and speaks to the Book, yelling at it for letting his mother suffer. When Benny approaches a nurse and demands to be discharged, the Book switches to using first person “because I’m not a fly on the wall, because I am Benny” (532).

The narrative continues in the first person. After Benny approaches the nurse, she texts Dr. Melanie about Benny’s sudden vocalizations and ability to walk. Upon receiving the text, Dr. Melanie returns to the ward. Benny explains to her that he must go home. Refuses treatment and threatens to go on a hunger strike if they attempt to keep him in the ward. Benny has taken full responsibility for his own actions and knows that only he can help his mom. Dr. Melanie observes Benny for the next two weeks, then organizes a conference with Annabelle before discharging him. During this meeting, Annabelle suggests that the voices Benny hears may be trying to help.