65 pages 2 hours read

Paul Murray

Skippy Dies

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2010

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Part 3, Chapter 15-Part 4

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Part 3: “Ghostland”

Part 3, Chapter 15 Summary

Disappointed by his conversation with Howard, Ruprecht conducts research into the scientific approaches to spiritualism. His findings affirm what Howard told him, and he becomes disillusioned with the natural sciences.

Ruprecht goes to the bathroom, where a bully named Lionel dunks his head in the toilet. Ruprecht soon hears a teacher passing by, whistling a song. This inspires him to gather Geoff and Dennis, informing them of his new plan to use music waves to reach Skippy in the spirit world. When Dennis initially refuses to join Ruprecht’s plan, Ruprecht admits that Dennis was right about him lying about his educational background. He further confesses that he was transferred from his last boarding school because he was caught getting an erection in the school shower. This regains Dennis’s sympathy for him.

Part 3, Chapter 16 Summary

The Van Doren Quartet rush through catch-up rehearsals the day before the concert. Titch takes it upon himself to check on them and assesses that they are not ready. He goes to tell Acting Principal Greg Costigan about it, but the principal ignores him so that he can focus on courting more donors.

The quartet members struggle to get their act together. Geoff realizes that the Pachelbel piece reminds him of Lori’s favorite pop song, which Skippy used to listen to incessantly.

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By Paul Murray