The conflict in Skippy Dies is immediately revealed in the book. As one might infer from the title, a person, nicknamed Skippy, dies in a donut shop. The very first chapter describes this death, but it's more like an introduction because the rest of the book flashes back to the things leading up to this event. For the first 100 pages, there really is no conflict, as the book is just setting the scene and telling stories about the people at this school. As of now I am about 300 pages into the book, and the main conflict of the book might be starting to emerge. However, the way the narrative bounces back and forth between characters makes me wonder if this conflict is a major plot point or just another anecdote, thrown in for entertainment.
Skippy is having a pretty tough life because his mom is dead (or he has some problem with his mother, the book hasn't quite said yet), and he's dependent on sleeping pills just to get through the days at his boarding school. One day, he spots a girl outside his window and immediately falls in love with her. Eventually, they kiss at a school dance, but afterward she disappears. Skippy finds out her number, but a bully, who also has a thing with this girl, knows about her and Skippy and smashes his head against a wall.
This conflict seems like it could lead to Skippy's death, but I'm not sure yet. The author goes very in depth with all of the character's backstories, and analyzes situations in life that we all go through. With all that and the switching perspectives, it's hard to keep track of a linear, neat storyline.
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