Runaway Max Annotation Guide
I am working on annotating Runaway Max by Brenna Yovanoff. This book is often used to argue points re: Billy Hargrove's character, where he is described in summary as "totally out of control," "violent," and "terrifying." The book is told in Max Mayfield's limited first person point of view, which creates challenges to understanding Billy and the context of his life without a strong bias.
My goal is to unravel what exactly is happening in the Hargrove Mayfield household especially as it applies to Max and Billy and their relationship. This book is not 100% canon compliant, and as such I will discuss its limitations. Unfortunately, one of those limitations is the overall lack of Billy's point of view. Despite enduring canon abuse within the show and book, he's not given much of a voice on it.
I will be giving him a voice as much as I can by talking about what he's experiencing and why it's important to separate Max's thoughts as a child within the dysfunctional household from the reality of Billy's situation. After each chapter, I will provide a brief summary and a list of annotations. I am using highlighter stickers to mark up the book and a notebook to record my annotations.
If you would like to follow up on this series I am doing, you can check [#rm annotations] on my blog which will also be tagged below. Here is my list of annotations and what they mean and/or include.
1) Background Information; Timeline
Basic "objective" facts such as setting and scene, as well as details that help establish a timeline of events.
2) Family Context; Circumstances
Details we're told about the Hargrove Mayfield household. This could include "objective" facts like where Neil or Susan work, or details that expose their family dynamics.
3) Unreliable Statements; Limited P.O.V.
Details that are subjective, or presented as true from a limited point of view. Missing information. Implications that can't be fully verified. Things that are assumed about a character's thoughts and feelings that aren't explicitly expressed by that character - mainly about Billy.
4) Evidence of Abuse / Neglect
Explicit or implied instances of abuse and/or neglect. Emphasis on the role of Neil and Susan as parents. Does not include antagonism between Max and Billy unless it's relevant or contextualized by the abuse and/or neglect from their parents.
5) Neil / Billy Associations
Documenting the context in which comparisons are made between Billy and his abuser, Neil.
6) Max & Billy Relationship
The development of Max and Billy's relationship over the course of the novel; good, neutral, and bad interactions included.
7) Other Valuable Insights; Potentially Useful Information
Details that I think are important to the plot or characterization that may or may not have to do with Billy. They may "fill in gaps" within the overall Stranger Things narrative.
8) Characterization of Billy
Includes external and internal factors such as Billy's appearance, mannerisms, speech, actions, thoughts, interactions, and what other characters think, feel, say about Billy Hargrove.
Here is a preview of what these annotations will look like in practice. (A detailed description of these will be available in my next post in this series: Runaway Max Prologue)
There are multiple ways to read and understand a book. These ways are informed by the reader's own biases. That includes me. I am providing my own interpretation of the book, and that comes with my own limitations. You can use my posts as references for fandom discussions, but I am not making these posts specifically to argue with people. If you don't like my interpretations, you can make your own.
