Author |
Message |
Twiggyish
| Saturday, February 08, 2003 - 4:39 pm
I'm not here, yet... but, thought to get the ball rolling.
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Calamity
| Wednesday, February 12, 2003 - 3:00 pm
I've read a little into the second chaper but don't have my book with me. I am in love with the writing. The author has a great knack for characterization - it's so easy to picture the people and hear their voices. There are some extremely disturbing incidents and language though. And then there are his daydreams and everyday observations which he conveys with such exquisite simplicity that I almost feel as if I'm seeing and experiencing things right along with him. I need to look at the book - at the end of the first chapter he describes a recurring dream he had as a child that is so vivid and powerful. I'm fascinated by dreams.
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Seamonkey
| Wednesday, February 12, 2003 - 3:14 pm
Totally agree about the vivid images in his writing and that he has such an ear for voice.. you can hear and see the people he describes. I finished the book last night and loved every delicious page. Definitely found myself angry and disturbed all too often as I read, but it was all amazing. I'm not feeling like a discussion starter, but cannot wait to hear what other readers think as they progress.
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Twiggyish
| Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 4:30 pm
It sounds like a great book. I'm still waiting to get it! I should have it by this weekend. (crossing fingers)
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Egbok
| Thursday, February 13, 2003 - 10:50 pm
I am looking forward to reading this book and I'll join Twigs with crossing my fingers to have the book by this weekend.
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Kaili
| Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 8:26 am
I like how it's written frok HIS perspective as he ages- rather than "I remember when I was a kid taht these things happened..." or writing third person. I've finished the first two chapters so far- I think it's sad- it's so well written that you feel how horrible all these things must be.
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Heyltslori
| Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 4:15 pm
I just finished reading the introductory part and chapter one. This book is breaking my heart. That poem right before the chapter began was so powerful, and his descriptions of the awful things that happened to him and how he was ashamed and somehow felt they might have even been his fault is just so terribly sad. I hate knowing that things like that have... and I'm sure continue to happen to children. I like how he has a bond with Dwight. I thought it was funny (although gross) when Mizz Pickett spit cleaned their faces and they ended up smiling at each other and he says that they both knew since the previous night that that was coming. I'm glad that he has at least someone to talk to and co-miserate with. I can tell right away that this book is going to be one that I want to keep. The writing is excellent...like many of you have mentioned...he paints a good picture with his words. Having already seen the movie I know that I'm in for more tears, and some laughs as well. I'm excited to keep reading.
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Kady
| Saturday, February 15, 2003 - 4:37 pm
I am really liking this book. I haven't seen the movie so I have no idea how things turn out for him. My Aunt is a foster mother. She only gets kids that have been abused either mentally or physically. She keeps them no more than two years and then they are moved. I don't see how his foster Mom could have him so long and not love him as her own. But I am trying to remember if it ever talked about how she treated her own children.
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Ericka1012
| Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 1:09 pm
I just finished the introductory chapter and Chapter 1...I agree this is a very heart breaking book. How terrible to have these as your first memories. I'm not sure that these things still don't take place in the foster care system and I think it's very sad that our system doesn't give more money so we can have have better foster parents and case workers that have the time to make sure these children are being better taken care of. Maybe we should also encourge more people to be adoptive parents. But of all the parents how could this parent do this to children. A woman that was married to a man of God...I guess looking at the Catholic Priest situation it answers my own question. Before this book is over I think it will make me shed many more tears.
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Myjohnhenry
| Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 2:35 pm
I hope you don't mind that I jump in here for a minute since I am not yet reading the book. I keep looking at it and putting it down at the store...partly because I am not sure I want to read such a sad story at the moment. I just want to say that I hope people do realize that for every sad story of the foster care system that there are success stories and stories of good homes and families. It is a fact of our society that the bad stories are the ones that garner attention and overshadow the good (not just in the foster care system). And from reading your posts on the first 2 chapters it is obvious that this is one of those not so great stories of the system. I would hate to see too many generalizations made based on horrific and sad stories that we read though. As a foster/adoptive parent I know many, many people who do not foster for the money (who in fact put out more money than they receive)...who do get very attached to their kids (often despite the advice given by caseworkers)...who are fantastic parents dedicated to raising kids who are often difficult to raise due to accompanying baggage. And I have known not so great ones too (some downright horrible). (But then again I know good biological parents and not so good biological parents.) I will also add that there are many, many things in the "system" as a whole that need to be reformed. There are children that are removed that shouldn't be, there are children that should be removed that aren't, there are overworked caseworkers, there are policies that are ridiculous and need to be overhauled for the good of all, policies that need to be established, there is a huge need for foster and adoptive parents...especially those who will parent any child who needs a good, loving, nurturing home regardless of age, race, disability, past history, etc.
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Seamonkey
| Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 3:06 pm
MJH, thanks so much for that input!! My hope is that you will eventually pick up the book.. having finished it I can tell you it isn't solid sadness.. and the writing itself is beautiful, too.
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Azriel
| Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 5:50 pm
This book is GOOD and it is going to be a hard book to discuss chapter by chapter because I am flying through the book. Antwone's story is compelling and beautifully written.
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Kaili
| Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 5:52 pm
I agree- I think I just finished chapter 4 or 5- I haven't been really pausing at the Chapter breaks. Whatever the case- I just passed the section where he turns 18.
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Seamonkey
| Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 7:58 pm
It is hard to stop turning the pages, isn't it??
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Egbok
| Sunday, February 16, 2003 - 9:22 pm
I've just finished reading the pre-memoir, Chapter 1 and I'm well into Chapter 2. This book is filled with descriptive writing that places me right next to Antwone as a young child. I can feel his sadness and his pain and I wish I could have helped him somehow. It amazes me that Mizz Pickett could treat these children with such callousness and void. How can this be a norm in anyone's culture? I've already cried once and I'm sure there are more tears for Antwone's plight as I read further. I am truly touched by Antwone's memories of childhood.
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Knightpatti
| Monday, February 17, 2003 - 8:58 pm
Started the book today and I am very touched by it.
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Kady
| Monday, February 17, 2003 - 9:59 pm
Patti...it gets better as you go. I'm not even taking the time to post in between chapters. I am on page 261 now. Antwone is a character you can't help but fall in love with. I want to strangle Mizz Pickett.
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Seamonkey
| Monday, February 17, 2003 - 10:30 pm
Ah Kady, it gets even better I never go to movies but I want to see this one.
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Kaili
| Tuesday, February 18, 2003 - 9:31 am
Is the movie out yet? I wasn't sure if you could rent it or go to theaters or what? Same thing for White Oleander- I read the book and wanted to watch the movie but it's at the inbetween stage where it's not on video for a few more weeks. I finished- great ending. I love him I even read the thank yous at the end and I NEVER do that. It is hard to post chapter by chapter- I find it easier to talk about the whole thing once I'm done with the book.
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Myjohnhenry
| Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 3:25 pm
I picked up the book today...remembered a gift card I needed to use soon so decided to use it for this book. Sea...as far as books about good foster homes there really isn't much out there. Doesn't seem to catch the interest of publishers and readers. Probably the closest thing I know of to a positive spin on Foster Care and a great success story is Lost in the System by Charlotte Lopez, Susan Dworkin. Charlotte Lopez is a child of the system who became Miss Teen USA.
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Seamonkey
| Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 9:03 pm
Mjh.. thanks.. sadly I'm sure you are right.. less interest in dysfunction than function, at least by publishers.. me, I kinda like to know the whole spectrum on a subject. I went to look up that book but BN has lost my whole wish list and I'm too ticked at the moment think about books, but I will get over it. And look into this book.
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Twiggyish
| Thursday, February 20, 2003 - 8:48 pm
I can start combining chapters.
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Mak1
| Friday, February 21, 2003 - 6:59 pm
My book finally arrived yesterday, woohooo! I started it this afternoon, and before I knew it had read over 100 pages. What great writing, he pulls you right into his life and his mind. His spirit from a young age is amazing!
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Seamonkey
| Friday, February 21, 2003 - 8:21 pm
I was thinking today that he also had such a vivid imagination; I think that helped him to cope also. Example.. that he thought of the foster parents as being aliens who would quickly take human shape when he turned around, but he kept thinking he'd catch them someday.
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Ericka1012
| Friday, February 21, 2003 - 10:35 pm
Seamonkey you are so right about his imagination helping him cope...otherwise this kid could have not made it to his teen years.
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