In the memoir, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, she recounts the story of her crazily adventurous life through various snapshots of different moments. Where she doesn't have a little anecdote, she gives a detailed summary of what happened. The author moves forward in a quick sort of way, as she must with a book ranging from when she was three to well into adulthood. But even as she does this, she will zoom in on certain moments and really capture the feeling in them, and make the reader do the same. Maybe this uniqueness comes from the fact that she can only remember and pinpoint little moments, but I love how the author makes me want to know more about their lives and fill in the blanks. She does this through capturing me in every single anecdote.
When Jeannette asks her dad to stop drinking as her 10th birthday present, the reader gets a little uncomfortable with her at the big favor she is asking him for. When he begins to drink again, one is deeply betrayed alongside her. I've had the experience of reading a book and caring about the characters, but I've never really related to a character the way I do to Jeannette.
I think its because of the way at times I envy the insane adventures she gets to go on. The way she describes the vast and beautiful desert is what leads me to feel that way. I also feel so badly for her when her parents do something especially out of the box, like taking her out of the hospital and taking off in the middle of the night, when she is not healed enough for it to be completely safe. When relating to that, the author gets me to do that through refraining from giving a lot of details. She lets you feel how you want to. She has people who disapprove of her parents who you can relate to, and then her own perspective, which is still forming.
I love when you quote," When relating to that, the author gets me to do that through refraining from giving a lot of details. She lets you feel how you want to. She has people who disapprove of her parents who you can relate to, and then her own perspective, which is still forming. Very good grammar, and what a great retail that was. Can't wait for more.
ReplyDeleteHey, nice post!!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this book, but it sounds interesting. Once in an IWP I had to skip through years in few pages, and it's always hard to choose the most important parts.
The fact that the author has had such a crazy childhood probably makes the book really quirky and different, and as a reader I can imagine thinking, "WOAH! WHAT?!". Your blog post style is impeccable and I really like reading your posts. They're straight forward, yet really thought provoking.
Keep up the great work!
I really like this post! I like how it's a different structure than what i'm used to, and to what we are taught. I can relate to this in a way. I read a book called The Audacious Escapades of the Somerset Sisters, which was about a woman named Virginia telling this girl about the "audacious" adventures that her and her 3 sisters went on when they were younger. I remember being surprised at the crazy adventures, and wishing I could travel around like them.
ReplyDeleteI like your style of writing (i can't think of a better way to say that at the time..)!!
Good blog post ellie. I like how you added your own opinions and I love your choice of words and books. Would love to read this book.
ReplyDeleteI sounds so interesting.
I love your quotes and grammar.
Good job!