Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em—that pretty much sums up Cam's wacky relationship with his family. Sure they provide him with a sense of belonging, but at the same time, Cam doesn't always get along with his family—or even like them. He can't stand his dad's negative attitude toward him; he knows Pin is bored with his stories about war; and he can't really relate to anyone now that he's returned. We're told family is something worth fighting for, but we're left wondering whether that includes everyone's families.
Questions About Family
- In the end, Cam promises to come home soon? Do you believe him? Why or why not?
- Do you think Cam's family treats him fairly when he gets home from war? Why is his dad so angry with him?
- Does the book leave us with the message that family is important, or not so much? How does Cam's relationship with his family differ from other characters'?
- How is Gyaar's relationship with his dad different from Pin and Graceful's with their dads? What can this tell us about family?
Chew on This
While some might believe in the value of family, Cam's decisions show us he does not feel attached to his family like others do around him.
The Returning uses a family as a microcosm to explore larger issues about the repercussions of war.