Unspoken Words

[alyssarlp]

I have enjoyed this class a lot!! It was a nice break from the rest of my classes. Probably the most interesting too! I've enjoyed meeting and getting to know the wonderful people I had in my group and instead of discussing the novels, we would sit there and talk about walking dead all class period lol. Anyways I loves the books we read, I was hesitant at first but I really enjoyed them. My favorites had to be Goon Squad and ELIC. I'll miss this class! Everyone good luck on finals, I'm sure we will all do great.

[nitsirkeellehcim]

The Road starts out slow, and has a lot of description but not a lot of action. Throughout the story I was constantly waiting for something to happen. The events in the story never fully lived up to my expectations. To me the book seemed boring, but at the same time it made me think about the life...

[alyssarlp]

As much as the patient, slow pace of this book got to me, I really helped me see the monotony and loneliness that these two people faced. They lived everyday in fear of running into another person or dying from hunger or being frozen. In someway they forgot how to be human and only knew to survive. I felt as though them finding the beach would somehow let them be themselves again and really live but in the end it really wasn't. The truth of the story is that life is sometimes sad and as much as we try sometimes we can change that. I think this novel represented some people reality, sadly, because not everyone lives a happy life. I enjoyed the end of the book though. That did give me hope and I feel that it taught the boy to love and let go.

[alyssarlp]

I really enjoy the story of The Road. Unfortunately I had already watched the movie back in high school so while reading all I could picture was the movie. The book really did not do me in like the movie did. It was way too slow and patient for me. I love the story, don't get me wrong, but something like this I feel should be only a movie. The movie was extremely slow too, so reading this book just took me forever.

[scoobyrocks44]

So…The Road….when first reading this, I was like ZOMBIES!!!!! Then I realized they were just cannibals. Did anyone else get that feeling? Anyways the writing style of the book in the lack of quotes is a pain in the butt. It’s hard to follow sometimes because while the child is still innocent„ he...

[alyssarlp]

Gosh I totally forgot it was Sunday and had to do this... Also forgot about Fridays. Anyways yeah I totally agree on zombies thing. I think because there is so much 'walking dead' we expect every apocalypse story to be about zombies. Sadly it isn't, but it's still cool. I really can't stand the lack of quotation marks and breakup paragraphs in the novel. Personally I like the movie SO much better. The book just seems so dry. The movies is pretty slow also, so after watching that and now reading it, the book is even worse. I just do not have the patience for a patiently read book. But I like the story all in all!

[starespera]

Egan’s style of writing was definitely different. The change of perspective and the jump of time were unique; however, I wanted to know more about Scotty, Jocelyn, Rhea and Alice. I have finished the book, and I honestly do not know what I really think or feel about it. The way Egan structured the...

[alyssarlp]

I agree, I found myself wanting more and more of some particular characters stories. I felt like she gave us more information about mediocre characters and left us hanging on some of the best. But I too think that was her way of postmodernism. I really liked this novel but some parts definitely disappointed me.

[alyssarlp]

Final thoughts

11.8.13 Gosh I really ended up loving this book! Especially after discussing it in class, I really connected way more. There definitely were some stories I really wish we could have seen more of. For example, I loved Rob and his story and I was hoping I could know more. I felt so bad for him but I felt I could understand him a little. Most all the stories in this novel really had no definitely ending. Which I guess in reality, we never get to know the end of everyone's story. That's what life is about is mystery. So I really enjoyed that concept in the book because it seemed so authentically real. It also reminded me a lot of one of my absolute favorite books by James Fray, "Bright Shiny Morning", which I also about many people's individual stories over a span of time in Los Angeles. All in all I loved this book! And that surprised me

[hellostephanymaurer]

It’s very….difficult. It has interesting stories but right when it starts to get interesting and the story starts going somewhere it just stops and ends and you don’t hear anymore about that character again really. I mean, you do but it isn’t detailed information. The beginning character in the...

[alyssarlp]

I agree, I keep finding myself interested in certain characters stories and then suddenly it ends. It's sort of irritating. I'm just hoping that in the end they all somehow connect and we possibly see more but I highly doubt that will happen. This novel reads so much like a movie. Hopefully it'll get better!

[alyssarlp]

Visit From the Goon Squad

11.1.13 Gosh, so far this book reminds me so much of myself when I was younger (I'm sure you can't really tell by looking at me now), other than the snorting cocaine and sleeping with older men. But other than that, when I read the story, more so about when they were in their teens, I think about all the crazy things I did. I was for sure a rebellious teenager that started around 13. I tried so bad to put off that punk persona and I did it pretty well. Much like Alice, I was a fraud though. I lived in a nice house with a nice family with pink walls in my bedroom...Definitely not punk. But my spiky hair, crazy makeup and clothes and the music I listened to definitely told otherwise. I think it was just my completely rebellious stage that I went through to try and figure myself out. Much like the people in this book I guess. I find it interesting though because I can relate. I ran off numerous times to do stupid crazy things but it was a learning experience. This book has brought back so many memories. In a way I think it's good to experience that person completely opposite from what you are, because you find the things that make you, you. I still enjoy the music and whatnot but I am more myself and not trying to be something I'm not. All in all, I like this book!

[lbblr]

This week I was interested in the excerpt out of our PA book. Although I wasn’t aware it was due wednesday, talking about it in class helped better understand the rearrangement of fictional fairtales and how they might have tied in. Now I wasn’t really up for recreating a fairytale this week...

[alyssarlp]

I agree! Although I love fairy tales I just couldn't begin to think of one I could recreate. Not to mention, I haven't seen them in years also. But I definitely did seem the resemblance of these fairy tales in "Generation X". It was a quirky story but I enjoyed it. Like you said, talking about all these fairy tales really makes me reminisce and want to see them all again.

[alyssarlp]

Fairy tales

10.25.13

As a kid, I always loved fairy tales.  As i'm sure any child did. Mostly girls I think.  I remember my favorite was always Beauty and the Beast and Little Mermaid.  I have seen many renditions of fairy tales to appeal to I guess "older kids" I enjoy them because it gives another perspective and as well grow up we relate more to them. 

In "Generation X" I really liked how many fairy tales were intertwined in the story.  I saw a little Cinderella with the three sisters, Darlene, Arlene and Serena and Serena's need for independence.  I also saw some beauty and the beast with Buck turning into the monster thing and she still loved him. Then he turned into a handsome human.  Maybe she didn't love him, but used him to get away.  Put in the end, he used her as well.  Like any fairy tale, he was the prince and she was looking for safety which I assume he gave, it really wasn't said.  All in all, I enjoyed the piece, I thought it was creative and comical. 

[alyssarlp]

10.18 Now we have reached mid term time and I am remembering the readings we have had. I enjoyed most of them but my favorites were definitely Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Shiloh, In Cold Blood and Stories from the Nerve Bible. I liked these because some I could relate to while others just triggered interest. I really did not like The Things They Carried, to me it was just way too hard to read and really dragged on. I just could not get interested in the book what so ever. But that's okay! It's not for everyone. All In all I enjoyed the majority and wish everyone the best of luck on midterms!

[jeff-madison-blog]

After having finished “Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” I thought that the story was well written and fairly easy to understand. The author gave good detail and made the reader want to keep reading. I really liked how the author told the story from different people’s perspectives. By looking...

[alyssarlp]

I definitely would have to agree! I thought this book was much easier to read and in my opinion way better than 'The Things They Carried'. The different perspective really did help with some insight and help to understand the story better as well as break it up. I was extremely disappointed in what the key opened. I was hoping for something that would be associated with his dad but it was a major disappointment. Other than that I really enjoyed the book! I watched the movie for the second time after reading this. The first time before, and I have to say that they movie was a major let down after reading it and seeing it for the second time.

[alyssarlp]

10.9.13 After finishing this book I have realized a lot about life. Oskar's determination and hopefulness is so strong for such a young boy. He never once gave up despite all his fears that he did in fact conquer. He grew and learned so many things, which I do believe was his dad's mission. But what I think the true moral of the story and what Oskar finally found out from his failure was to let go of the past and live for the future. It's was extremely hard for him to move on but I believe this failure made him realize he needed to move on and somehow that gave him closure. I saw this same concept in the grandfather with him letting go of his past and mistakes and trying to live for the future and start fresh. I personally loved this book and the messages within it.

[hellostephanymaurer]

I think one of the most interesting parts of this book is the photos that are used throughout, not only because they take up a LOT of space, but also because the kind of give us a look at everything Oskar is seeing and experiencing so we can feel as though we are right there with him. The...

[alyssarlp]

The pictures definitely help with the story. They sort of give you a break from the sort of monotony of the text and put into perspective what Oskar is doing. I was confused at first as well as to what some of the pictures meant. As I kept reading I found myself flipping back and remembering and connecting the picture to the text. The pictures really help convey the message and stories as well as helped me stay entertained. It really made me feel like I was feeling some of the same emotions and understand certain situations. For example the flying of the birds and the art pad at the store which is later explained far into the book. They just helped connect everything in a way.

[alyssarlp]

Life.

10.4.13 We all have our stories that make up who we are. We all believe our story is completely individual and there's no way anyone could relate. In reality, we are move a like than we think. Everyone suffers, loves, hurts, triumphs and so much more. That's part of life and we all experience it in different ways. I really enjoyed how this novel is broken up into the characters stories. It draws me into them individually and helps me relate as well as relate one character's story to another. For example, both the grandparents suffered loneliness, hope, sadness and happiness too at times. These attributes were also seen in Mr. Black from the apartment building and Oskar. It's interesting to know that someone's story can be so different from another but at the same time so similar. The only difference is how events and feelings play their way out.

[hellostephanymaurer]

I feel so bad for how everyone feels about Oskar! That poor child has gone through so much, losing his best friend at such a young age, dealing with his mother’s calm response to the whole thing, reading a letter- that might be disturbing for a young boy to read-from his grandmother, feeling like...

[alyssarlp]

I completely agree with everything you said about him. He is extremely strong for his age. If I were his age going through that situation I would not take it near as well as he did. His way of coping and learning from his situation is extremely mature. I do feel very bad for him too and understand he probably does have some social issues but he really is trying not to let then fully take over him. He's trying to live on this adventure with his father and understand the situation which is very bold for a young child. If I lost a parent, even now, I would be hysterical. He is a very strong kid, despite his corks. I admire him for that.

[alyssarlp]

Oskar. I admire Oskar and really appreciate his character. Most kids his age going through a similar situation may not take it the way he is. In his situation he's curious and wants to know everything, or at least the things he doesn't already. In some way I think he's treasure hunting is a way to cope but I also think he just wants to have the answer to something. I think he is also given way more information about things than he realizes. I like Oskar and am excited to see how his character plays out.