1. Who was Roy Valois?
Roy Valois is just a sculptor and the husband of Delia Sterns. He had a severe illness called sarcomatous unresectable malignant pleural mesothelioma and this sickness brought his life more miserable except the sadness that caused by the death of his wife Delia.
2. Who was Delia? Did she love her husband before she died? Did she really die?
Delia is said to be the loving wife of Roy. She was working at Hobbes Institute without knowing what is the real purpose of establishing this institute and it’s already late when she knew that it is an illegal company established by the Vice President and its colleagues. Sad part was, she was not given a chance to know all about this not until when she was dying, and even his husband Roy doesn’t have any idea. She loved Roy much that she tolerated the false report about her death just to protect him knowing that the secret operation run by Hobbes Institute could put the Vice President in jail, with that she have to secure that Roy will know nothing even where she is, is she still alive or not, do they have a baby, all this is a secret to Roy. But nothing remains unrevealed, and another problem started there when Roy noticed that everything seems turn to be a lie-her work, her friends and even his death.
3. Who was Richard Gold? What’s the real reason of his death?
Richard Gold was a writer who wrote the obituary of Roy in advance. Yes, he was dead and Lenore killed him due to some secrets that he had knew about Roy and some that he will soon discovered if he will not die.
4. What is the real motive of Lenore, Westie, Tom and Paul Cabib of entering the life of Roy as other individuals for the time after the death of Delia?Simple! They were all part of the plan of shutting down Roy. The former Hobbes Institute sent them to keep the secret unrevealed especially now that Roy is doing everything just to know the truth. They want Roy to forget Delia, her work, the Hobbes Institute, everything about her to cover the secret operation run out of the Vice President office, an illegal operation that would have land the Vice President in jail if it got out, and impeach him if he ever makes it to the White House. The four of them and many more were working for Hobbes Institute including Delia but unfortunately, Delia died due to an unsuccessful operation and her death caused more trouble that killed many innocent friends of Roy.
5. Did Roy Valois know the truth about her wife and the Hobbes Institute at the last part?
Yes, with the help of some friends who sacrifices their lives to uncover the truth about the woman he can’t stop to loving-Delia. He resolved all the problems and the biggest prize he’d ever received is to know that they had a daughter under the custody of Paul Habib named Adele. Adele accepted her father when she knew everything and they live happily together.
Summary of NERVE DAMAGE by Peter Abrahams
Roy Valois is a renowned sculptor and artist who is still haunted by his deceased wife Delia Stern. He was working on the last series of his work the Neanderthal Number Nineteen named after Delia and many art dealers became interested on it. He was on the middle of finishing his work when something inside him have been torturing his body.
When he was diagnosed of having a rare virulent form of Cancer called Sarcomatous Unresectable Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma which usually affects the lungs and sometimes the heartas well. It could be acquired from asbestos exposure and it is incurable. Roy was panicking inside. He insisted to be a part of an experimental program to treat this kind of disease.
Roy realized how tough life could be not only that he was carrying the burden that Delia had brought to him from the past but also he was totally shook by his present illness. He consulted his friend and lawyer Turk McKenny. They agreed to arrange his last will and to prepare for his obituary. Roy struggled on the complex thought about cheating death.
With the help of a computer whiz kid working for him Roy had browse illegally through the Internet about his obituary. He read it and the biggest hunting game of his life had begun. He wanted to correct that little mistake on his obituary but he ended up seeking for the truth that his past wife whom he loved with all the love he could give had kept and buried with her had now struck Roy.
In his effort of seeking for the truth his deceased wife’s true identity was revealed but the love she had for him never faded until the last day of her life. Roy found out that Delia works for a private ranch owner and businessman named Calvin Truesdale and that he was a very dangerous and influential man. Truesdale hid Delia after the helicopter crash and she was pregnant bearing Roy’s daughter. When Roy confronted Truesdale in his own place, there he met her own daughter named Adele. They both found out the truth and despite the fact that Roy is struggling to fight for his life because of cancer, he still has the most precious treasure that make him well through his life and that is Adele.
CHARACTERS OF NERVE DAMAGE
1. Delia Stern
· She is allusive because her explanation to Roy about the nature of her work is indirect.
· She is uncertain on how to tell the truth to her husband. She doesn’t want him to be involved in the conspiracy.
· She is regretful as mentioned in her last letter for Roy because she did not reveal her true identity to him.
· Far-off because she was being imprisoned by Calvin Truesdale to keep the secret conspiracy they had work on.
2. Roy Valois
· He is artistic as a sculptor.
· He is ambiguous because he is doubtful about Delia’s identity and how he acquired his illness.
· He is aggressive because he risk everything even his life to know the truth.
· Barren because of his new discovery he was becoming incapable of doing the right thing for himself.
· He is downcast because he was longing for a life with Delia.
3. Turk Mckenny
· He is amenable, supportive, curious, bifocal and persuasive.
· He is amenable as Roy’s lawyer he gives solution to every problem.
· Supportive as a friend.
· Curious about the truth that Delia had kept from them her true identity.
· Bifocal on pointing out to Roy the possibility of Delia’s death and identity.
· Persuasive because he had convinced Roy to create an obituary which leads to the true
cause of Delia’s disappearance and death.
4. Calvin Truesdale
· Ambitious because he was rich yet he wants more he already have.
Throbbed-To beat rapidly or violently, as the heart; pound. p.1
Counterintuitive-contrary to what common sense would suggest p.5
Pimply-(of complexion) blemished by imperfections of the skin p.5
Connoisseurs-A person with expert knowledge or training, especially in the fine arts p.7
Trouvé-composed, invented p.11
Rads-describes something really awesome p.13
Rotor-a rotating part of an electrical or mechanical device.p.13
Moguls-a small hard mound or bump on a ski slope. p.16
Veered-To turn aside from a course, direction, or purpose; swerve p.16
Axles-a supporting shaft or member on or with which a wheel or a set of wheels revolves. p.20
Nexus-A means of connection; a link or tie p.20
Corrugated-shaped into alternating parallel grooves and ridges p.25
Groggy-dazed or staggering, as from exhaustion, blows, or drunkenness p.28
Attenuated-To reduce in force, value, amount, or degree; weaken:To make slender, fine, or small p.38
Juxtaposition-the act of positioning close together (or side by side) p.44
Whack-to strike with a sharp resounding blow p.49
Plummeting-Something that weighs down or oppresses; a burden. p.53
Scrawny-very thin and bony; scraggy p.63
Suede-leather with a napped surface p.69
Cherubs-a sweet innocent baby p.70
Ravenous-extremely hungry p.79
Pristine-Remaining in a pure state; uncorrupted by civilization. Remaining free from dirt or decay; clean: p.82
chaise longue- reclining chair with a long seat that supports the outstretched legs p.85
Triptych-A work consisting of three painted or carved panels that are hinged together. p.97
Trellis-A structure of open latticework, especially one used as a support for vines and other creeping plants. p.100
Gurney-metal stretcher with wheeled legs, used for transporting patients. p.102
Gaudy-Showy in a tasteless or vulgar way. p.108
Querulous-Expressing a complaint or grievance; grumbling p.110
Peckerhead-An annoying or rude person. A dick-head. p.131
Trudge-To walk in a laborious, heavy-footed way; plod. p.133
Menigue- is a stream (a body of running water moving to a lower level in a channel on land) p. 145
Hearse-vehicle for conveying a coffin to a church or cemetery p. 152
Bogus-Counterfeit or fake; not genuine p. 163
La-fleur-means the flower p.163
Mongrel-An animal or a plant resulting from various interbreedings, especially a dog of mixed or undetermined breed. p. 170
Murky-Heavy and thick with smoke, mist, or fog; hazy. p.171
Shenanigans-Anything that is wild or over the top, something that is considered crazy.
Aquifer-a porous deposit of rock, such as a sandstone, containing water that can be used to supply wells p.213
Urn-A vase of varying size and shape, usually having a footed base or pedestal.A closed metal vessel having a spigot and used for warming or serving tea or coffee. p.216
Reedy-Resembling a reed, especially in being thin or fragile p.245
Superbly-Of unusually high quality; excellent p.247
Albeit-Even though; although; notwithstanding p.249
Sleuthing-To act as a detective. p.259
Tourniquet-A device, typically a tightly encircling bandage, used to check bleeding by temporarily stopping the flow of blood through a large artery in a limb. p. 271
Fiascoes-A complete failure. p.280
Supine- Lying on the back or having the face upward.Having the palm upward. Used of the hand.
Pewter-Any of numerous silver-gray alloys of tin with various amounts of antimony, copper, and sometimes lead, used widely for fine kitchen utensils and tableware.
p.300
Spasmodic-Relating to, affected by, or having the character of a spasm; convulsive. p.304
Drone-A person who does tedious or menial work; a drudge p.312
Colicky-Severe abdominal pain caused by spasm, obstruction, or distention of any of the hollow viscera, such as the intestines. p.317
Shindig -A festive party, often with dancing. Also called shindy. p.319
