*SPOILERS FOR PLOT *

So I thoroughly loved the experience of reading this book, amazingly written and had such a fantastic slow and tragic reveal of what was really going on. I was explaining the plot to my gf and she asked

“why is the town like that though? What makes the town need to do this crazy ritual?”

And I did think about it - it’s possible I am just forgetting a small critical element, but it was definitely something I wasn’t sure about. I get that they need the winner for the next October Boy, but why do they NEED the next October Boy and the next run? My thought was that was just the way that the Guild maintained this control over the town, and maybe have people a kind of religious hope of escaping the town.

I also remember a thought about Jim Shepherd by Pete mentioning that the kid would have “been a problem” if he stuck around another year - maybe the Run is also to weed out the most violent teenagers in town, because the most ruthless kid gets killed?

Such a fascinating read in general, but wanted to ask what people’s thoughts were on that or if there was something I’m not remembering.

PS. I’m also really exited to see the movie coming out.