People of the Book

People of the Book is a historical fiction novel by Geraldine Brooks. It is about Hanna Heath, an Australian book conservator, who is called upon to conserve the world-famous Sarajevo Haggadah (a Jewish text setting forth the order of the Passover Seder). As she repairs the manuscript, she stumbles upon little clues as to where the book has been over its 600 years of existence. The finding of each artifact--- a hair, a stain, an insect wing--- is followed by a flashback to the time when it became part of the Haggadah. For example, the book explains in detail how an Italian Inquisitor spilled wine on one of the illuminations. Geraldine Brooks used some interesting techniques to make the reader think more deeply about what was going on.

The use of flashbacks is a powerful tool in this book, especially since it's historical fiction. Reading Hanna's part of the story is engaging, but without the voices of the past it would be a rather boring book to read. These recollections show real feelings and meaningful thoughts, which helps the book have some more insight. Overall, it's not a very juicy book--- just straight and to the point, with a few creative techniques.

Another appealing twist Ms. Brooks adds to the story is the historical element. As you read the flashbacks, you travel back in time, and there are many engrossing facts to learn. I found it fascinating to learn that the Sarajevo Haggadah was actually made in Barcelona, Spain, since I myself was born and raised in that very city. It was nice to have that special connection to the book's history.

I sense that by the end of this novel, I might be able to discover something more profound in the story, but for now the author's tactics have made me think about how I could improve my own writing. It made me think of new ways to write stories, which is exciting to me. One method I'd like to try out is having an object "carry" the story; all the events in the book are tied to one object as it travels through the plot mountain, like in People of the Book. I think this is unique from most other books, in which the story tracks the main character.

  

Illuminated pages in the Sarajevo Haggadah.

- Adrian  

It's Human Nature

I'm about halfway through "Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close", Jonathan Safran Foer's incredible novel. The deeply complex story tells about Oskar Schell, whose father died at 9/11. Searching the entire city of New York for a lock to match his father's key, Oskar embarks on a journey that changes his own life and that of many others. Although Oskar's feelings and actions are sometimes perplexing, I think it's an amazing piece.

In the book, it is quickly made evident that Oskar and his dad had a strong connection, and that Thomas Schell guided his son through many aspects of life. Realizing that Oskar wasn't a social person, he set up a "quest" for his son to find the Sixth Borough of New York City. As he continued finding clues and evidence of the 6th Borough's existence, Oskar made important communication skills. Oskar had to talk with many people all over Central Park to solve the mystery. However, after reading more of the story, I wonder if Oskar's father was a good mentor after all. Oskar's conversation skills are improved– but not quite. At school, he has no friends, and is bullied regularly. He doesn't seem to have the ability to speak well with his classmates. Instead, he has developed a way with words when he talks with adults, which is especially brought into focus when he begins searching for the lock to his father's key. And although he can get through to many people, he is often rude, mean, and inconsiderate. For example, Oskar (who is only nine) speaks to a maid like she is a child, making her feel self-conscious and nervous. Despite the fact that he may not know he is doing it, he is cruel to his mother. He insults her and acts as if he doesn't love her.

We're all inconsiderate, mean, and selfish at times. We've all said something rude about someone. But in this world, where conflicts happen every second of every day, it's important to be compassionate. Being nice to others, helping them out, and even just saying hello are key things to do to be compassionate. Communication is also fundamental– if we can't speak with someone about problems or conflicts we're going through, we'll be lost in a whirlwind of secrets, worries, and self-consciousness. Feeling emotion is part of human nature! If we don't show our feelings, we seem cold and distant. Nobody wants to hang out with someone monotonous and expressionless. Maintaining relations with other people (even if they aren't personal) is vital. We have to connect with others in order to stay anchored to the world, just as Oskar had to. Oskar had his own imaginary little world he lived in until he started talking with people and exchanging stories with them. Gradually, he came closer to Earth and real life, which is exactly what we have to do if we don't communicate. All in all, I think this book sends a very powerful message: To share our emotions with the world.


 

The Weight of Secrets

The Color of Water is James McBride's tribute to his mother, an enlightening biography of a white woman who left her family and raised a family of black children on her own. I think that her story is one that many people can relate to– a story of secrets and pride, of being strong under pressure, and of being independent.

Ruth McBride Jordan, the author's mother, was a very strong woman. She left her Orthodox Jewish family in Virginia at a young age, married two black men (at different times), became a devout Christian, and raised 11 black children, who each became successful in their field. Throughout her life, she kept many secrets about her history from her children. I think keeping these secrets from her family for such a long time made her into the person she was- proud, willful, and independent. I think that holding that many secrets inside you would prevent you from interacting and depending on other people, which describes Ruth perfectly. She was proud, and refused to talk with the other people in her neighborhood, much less rely on them. For example, she would always tell James to "...stick to your brothers and sisters, that's it. Don't tell nobody your business neither!" She did not want to socialize with anyone, and didn't want her children to either. 

We all have secrets and we're all proud at times (in good or bad ways), but I don't think that makes us completely independent of others, and we shouldn't be. Pride precludes us from showing emotion, acting from the heart, and being compassionate towards others. It prevents us from accepting mistakes, resolving conflicts, and it stops us from changing who we are, inside and outside.
I think many of these problems can be fixed by talking and being with other people. I think that, deep down, every person relies on someone else for their happiness, no matter how independent they might seem. Even Ruth McBride turned out to be dependent in the end– when her second husband died, her composure fell away and she was unable to stay organized or enjoy herself. She never fully regained her original independent personality.

Never Alone

The short story Am I Blue? by Bruce Coville is about a young man named Vince, who is having problems facing the possibility of being gay, and is scared because he's being bullied. He is visited by a fairy godfather who helps Vince find his true self. One of the things that Vince learns is that there are many, many other people like him in the world and so feels a lot better about himself.  I think this advice relates to the whole world, not just gay people.

In the story, Vince is insecure about being gay. More importantly, he is being bullied about it, which makes him feel scared about being different. He thinks he's an anomaly, someone who doesn't belong. Melvin, his fairy godfather, shows him how many other gay people there are in the world, hiding their true selves in fear. I think Melvin's advice that you are never the only one experiencing a situation that makes you nervous is a very comforting thought. It is good to know that there are other people going through the same insecurities as you are, other people who have made it through. It gives you hope that you can overcome your challenges.

When I first read the story, I was reminded of times when I felt insecure because I was different. One of my more prominent memories was of when I started going to a theater afterschool class. Although I had been in theater classes before, I felt scared of what it was going to be like. Already nervous, I peeked inside and saw several people who I was certain were in the Drama department. I was in the Art department at the time, and felt like I might be left out in the class. Extremely insecure, I wandered the halls of the school for a while before going home. The next class, I decided to go in, no matter how insecure it might've made me feel. Once I was used to being there, I slowly discovered that most of the other kids in the class had had little (if any) theater experience. Realizing that I wasn't the only one in an uncomfortable situation, I toughened up and resolved to do my best acting. After discovering I wasn't that different, I was able to play several roles in the play and was offered a position in the Drama talent.

Knowing I am not alone in my struggles has helped me greatly in conquering them. I, having been through several hard situations where I have to accept the fact that I'm different from others, thinking of others undergoing the same experiences has enabled me to defeat my fears. This priceless piece of advice helped Vince overcome his insecurities about being gay, and, undoubtedly, countless other people too over time. Because I'm shy and often lonely, I feel like Melvin's counsel in the story is an amazing way to help me live through hard situations, ranging from simple tests to falling-apart friendships.