Healer of the Water Monster

How does the genre of magical realism help the author communicate his message in ways that high-fantasy or realistic fiction could not? Consider the novel’s structure, characters, and themes in your response.

An important part of the Hero’s Journey is finding the right mentors. Which characters act as mentors to Nathan, and what does he learn from them? In what ways is Nathan himself a teacher or mentor? How do Nathan and his mentors develop the theme of Finding the Hero Within?

How do Nathan and his family members demonstrate their love for one another? In what ways is their family a source of pain for Nathan and his relatives? Ultimately, how do Nathan and his family members resolve the problems between them—or are some of these issues unresolved by the novel’s ending? What message is Young trying to communicate about family, and how does this theme impact the novel’s overall meaning?