MovieChat Forums > Dark Places (2015) Discussion > Just finished the book... Crystal?

Just finished the book... Crystal?


How is Crystal not mentally disabled? Diondra drank and smoked while pregnant. I was expecting either the baby to not survive birth because of this or have a disability either physically or mentally. I don't get how she could be 'normal.'

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Me too, just finished it this morning....gonna rent the movie tonight!

Not every fetus will be affected by drugs/alcohol consumed by the mother, although babies borne of late-term narcotics-using mothers are ALWAYS born addicted.

But here's a BETTER question: Crystal HAS to be, at least, emotionally unstable, having lived a life listening to the depraved musings if her Mother! Diondra states that she has shared EVERYTHING with Crystal, that they are best friends with no secrets. Couple that with Diondra still dressing like a teen, which Libby noticed immediately.

A real nature versus nurture conundrum, since we know Ben isn't right in the head, either.

Even Crystal, in what she attempts to do to Libby, shows that violence and homicide are not just normal everyday topics in her life, but perhaps even romanticized.

Gives me chills.

I'd also like to add this: I haven't had a nightmare in 50 years, and I always read to fall asleep....I had a horrible nightmare about this book this week!!

Dark Places, indeed.

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She was also doing drugs. I was disgusted watching it, what a vile character she was.

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None of that even remotely guarantees disabilities or birth defects. The risks are increased but literally millions of healthy babies are born to smokers, drinkers and drug addicts. That said, I do think it's awful that mothers to be, do these things with no regard to the risks.

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