VLVL Zoyd: good dad or bad dad?

[jbor]

>> Zoyd [...] at the last minute had dropped just a quarter of
>> a tab of acid on the chance of glimpsing something cosmic
>> that might tell him he wouldn't die (285)
>> 
>> "Where's 'at Zoyd at?"
>> "He clocked out as soon as the kid was born, probably off
>> on one of the lesser-known planets by now." (288)
> 
> A momentary lapse which seems to pale in comparison to the complete
> abandonment (semi-permanent post-partum depression?)  from her mother not
> long after.  His trip away was very temporary, and at least intended as
> soul-searching.

I think it's noteworthy that even while he's at the birth Zoyd's totally
self-involved. But I agree that there is substantial improvement in his
approach to parenting once Frenesi has left for good.

When Frenesi gets over her post-natal depression she finds herself "liking
this infant with the offbeat sense of humour" (292), and she's back at home
with Zoyd and the baby for a time ("weeks") -- though she's already taken up
with Brock again (282) -- before she heads off to Hawaii (56) to get away
from Zoyd's constant "bullying" (282, 57-9). Zoyd has realised by this time
that he was just some random guy Frenesi latched on to: "It could've been
anybody, Scott, the two junkie saxophone players, all's you was lookin' for
was some quick cover." (282)

best