I have a little over 100 pages left to go of the ATTACK OF THE CLONES novel. When I shut the book last night Anakin was just heading off to rescue his mother from the Tusken Raiders.

The novel has cemented in my mind that Anakin was very troubled and that Padme and Anakin's relationship was doomed from the beginning. It is clear to me that Anakin saw Padme as a second mother, not as an actual sexual-romantic relationship, and Padme didn't see Anakin like a lover, but as a little boy she could rescue--another diplomatic project. I've always held these beliefs, but the book has emphasized to me that these were correct assumptions.

However, I didn't realize how bad the problem was until reading the novel. In Episode II--the film--Anakin comes off to be as a whiny, immature, brat, but in the book it is clear that he is obsessed, perhaps boarding on psychotic. Obi-Wan was right to believe he was not ready for the assignment, but I don't think even he realized the implications.

On a different note, lately the most intriguing "scenes" have concerned Jango Fett. I never really thought it was necessary to reveal Boba as a boy, and I guess I still don't, however, Jango is an interesting character. He seems strange to our culture, I mean, he's a single man interested in raising a child on his own. If he were an American outlaw, among his bounty hunting skills, he might be known as a suspected pedophile. However, that was obviously not his intention. I know what it's like to realize you are probably never going to marry and have the opportunity for natural offspring. Jango probably never married due to his secretive life and he knew that most women wouldn't be immoral enough as to live with their husband going off to kill anyone that a bounty was placed on. I haven't married due to severe health reasons. Still, just because one does not marry, doesn't mean one wishes not to pass his life on to another. I know when I leave this world there will be many things that will go with me. Many thoughts and feelings that have not made it to others; simply because they don't care. If I had a son he might be interested enough in his father to care about these "little things" that are important to me.

Therefore, I feel a bit sorry for Jango and Boba Fett. I always have felt bad for Boba, since the end of Episode II in theaters in 2002, but now I can even be somewhat sympathetic to Jango. Maybe the Jedi somehow failed him, too. Perhaps, like his son, he would not have had to turn to a life of crime had someone intervined. However, the lesson there is; sometimes you have to intervine on behalf of yourself. I don't believe we can change ourselves, but Christ can, but one has to be open to His change.

So far I am still not happy with Obi-Wan's overall attitude toward his apprentice, but I understand a little better (although it's an area where I wish the Prequels would jive better with the Original Trilogy). I am also surprised that I am more than halfway through the story and Count Dooku has still not made an appearance.