Part 3

        Towards the end of the book I began to like Hanna more rather than hate her. She truly did care for Michael throughout the years, same way Michael has always cared for her. As the book progresses Michael continues on to law school and eventually gets married. When he mentioned his wife I immediately knew that he did not truly love her. It is frustrating to see that he is still so caught up with his feelings towards Hanna, even after 30 years. I believe that the only reason why Michael was still constantly thinking about her and comparing his wife and later other women to her was because he never got closure when it came to his relationship with Hanna. The two didn't get into a fight and break up or even grow apart, she just simply disappeared one day, nothing was discussed. Regardless, Michael decides to take responsibility for Hanna after she is released from prison.
        During Hanna's last couple months in prison Michael begins to show his love and affection towards her once again. He sends her tape recordings of him reading books knowing how much she enjoyed that. At the same time, he was able to teach Hanna to read and write which was possibly one of the greatest things he could have done for her. I found it strange how he was willing to help Hanna with her new life out of prison and help her read and write by sending her tape recordings, but wouldn't visit her. Hanna didn't have anyone but Michael in her life and even though Michael had a right to be upset due to their past history I think he could have shown a little bit more interest considering that she was now old and living in her last couple of years. When he eventually did visit her it seemed very awkward and uncomfortable for both of them, but I do not think that is why Hanna committed suicide.
       The end of the book was my favorite part even though it was extremely depressing. I think Hanna didn't want to be a burden on Michael and add to his list of responsibilities. But after she committed suicide Michael seemed to have felt all those feelings and emotions that he had been bottling up for the last couple of years. He never tells anyone from the prison what his relationship with Hanna was, but he allows himself to feel and act the way one would when a loved one has passed away, which is something he wouldn't do when she disappeared, while she was on trial, and during her time in prison.