Reading Schedule It should be stated that the novel itself is not difficult to comprehend. As the writing is concise, clear and dynamic, I have read it over the course of three days, spending an hour each day (Picture 1). However, the author used satire extensively, which complicated the comprehension at first. Therefore, I dedicated an hour for the consecutive two days to reread the novel and understand what the author has tried to convey. Altogether, reading the book took me five days, including the time spent on reflecting on the text. Picture 1. Monday       Tuesday      Wednesday    Thursday       Friday        5 pm – 6 pm  7 pm – 8 pm  5 pm – 6 pm  7 pm – 8 pm    5 pm – 6 pm   1/3 reading  2/3 reading  3/3 reading  1/2 rereading  2/2 rereading  Reasons for Choosing the Novel I have chosen this novel because of the extensive social commentary, which pertains to contemporary society (Picture 2). Lawrence Hill is a famous social activist with volunteering experience, which means that all his writing is based on real life challenges and problems. Furthermore, the novel is not overly complex, thus it is fairly easy to read and analyze. The authorial conceit is an attractive one because the setting of the book comprises fictional countries in Indian Ocean. As a result, the author has the ability to connect the novel’s storyline to real events and tendencies without explicitly criticizing any government. Such flexibility appealed to me because it enabled me to interpret Hill’s critique of refugee policies in relation to almost any modern state. Picture 2. Character Growth and Development There are two main characters in the book, with Keita Ali (Picture 3) being a protagonist to whom the title refers and Viola Hill being a supporting protagonist. In the same manner as the plot of the book is dynamic and twisting, the main character also undergoes considerable growth (Picture 4). In the first third of the novel, Keita Ali is a young enthusiastic black man, who sees running as a way to get rich and escape poverty. He lives according to the morals his parents taught to him, which was commitment to running, as this is the only way for him to succeed in the fictional country Zantoroland. Keita is attached to his family and loathes his country, which is presented as a state run by a corrupt government. Picture 3. Picture 4. The second third of the book adds a new layer to Keita’s personality – the desire to save his sister. Whereas previously, Keita saw running as a way to become rich, at this point, it is a means of his survival. Keita embraces his new identity of an illegal migrant, trying to make a living via running. Keita realizes that the Freedom State – the fictional wealthy country he immigrated to – is as corrupt as Zantoroland. As a result, Keita has only his exceptional running abilities to trust in. The final third of the novel completes Keita’s transformation as he succeeds in saving his sister and realizing that both governments are corrupt and cannot be trusted. Viola Hill is a leading character in the second part of the novel. Unlike Keita, she is more static since her development is not as evident (Picture 5). She is introduced to the read