One thing I adore about you let me in is how pepper man isn’t just a straight metaphor for her abusive dad. He’s her trauma in its entirety. He’s the trauma she grows old and comfortable with, who she learns to trust and plan her life around, but who is also seemingly less and less actively disruptive in her life as it continues on (which can be contrasted with her daughter, a different aspect of trauma).
It isn’t just that he’s her rapist (and he is) it’s that he’s her all of her traumatic experiences that she’s learned to just deal with. And like most childhood trauma he grows mellow and softer with age. Her personality rubs off on him. He’s less controlling. She plans her life with him in mind. They appreciate each other the way old people do. Because he’s a part of her that will never leave, and that she doesn’t see a reason to fight.
If you like any of my shit you should read you let me in it. Definitely one of the best books I’ve ever read. Seething with anger that I didn’t write it first tbh