I decided to branch out and try a YA novel for a change in my reading pattern.
In Speak, Laurie Halse Anderson peels away the layers of a broken heart and traces its step-by-step journey to find emotional healing. Anderson chose to work within a first-person narrative. The prose is blunt and contains minimal window dressing. Anderson made a wise choice: when someone endures the type of mental and emotional turmoil the main character endures, she wouldn't feel motivated to go into detail. In fact, narrative is external (words) and mimics the main character's struggle to gather the courage to vocalize the hurt and rage that boil within.
Anderson digs deep to expose complexity in the simple. She delves into the psychology of the victim. The novel seems to reveal little in its first half, but again, this mimics real life: the main character finds it difficult to trust, so she spends the first half of the book building trust with the character. As you listen to her daily observations on life, she begins to trust the reader a gives a glimpse of her inner pain. In fact, I believe a second read would reveal depths in the first half that seemed insignificant the first time around.
Effective, heartfelt. Speak is a winner.
Today's playlist: Icon (The Cranberries), My Christmas Wish (BeBe Winans).
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Beautiful writings. Good thinking. Keep going. Thanks.
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ReplyDeleteCheering work. Many will like it. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteExcelent work. Will be beneficial for others. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteEfficient job. Worthy of applause. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteUnique idea. Make it persistent. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful article. Go forward. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteEfficient job. Worthy of applause. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteEssential post. As rose in all flower. Keep writings. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteGood job. Wants more post. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteSpeak was by far an amazing book. It kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time I was reading it. I kept wondering "Whats going to happen next?" It truly was a touching story. This book speaks the truth about our society today. Many teenagers probably go through the same thing as Melinda did everyday. There are many lost teenagers out there who is looking for guidance and help just like Melinda felt. If this book gets read by more and more teens, a lot of teens would develop the courage they need to speak up not only for them, but for others as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment, Canada. You're right. What I found most fascinating was how the author unfolded the events of Melinda's struggle step by step, as a parallel to how Melinda gathered the courage to process and come to grips with her experience. Like you, I'd highly recommend the book to others.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Loraine. Nice blog!
ReplyDelete