Cristi Cîrdei

"Jack, I swear--"

this line gets me every time.
add The Wings by Gustavo Santaolalla to the mix and i'm crying my heart out.

ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUALBUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS

Maybe George Orwell's choice of characters is right in that people acting in such ways are less-than-human.

two kids talk about their inebriated mothers. one of them says something along the lines of: that's what alcoholics want — to die. it's just that some take the long road.

and: there is nothing you can do to help.

Shuggie Bain is a book about losing one's self to the coldness of addiction. losing what you were and what you could be, and losing the people you care about.

it is also about finding oneself. or rather, finding out that you are not actually lost, you just are. and you should start owning your self.


i liked this book. it is an emotional story. a good story, in its tragedy and realism.

for me, one thing that made itself noticed is how whole and encompassing this book feels. it is not only a description of a topographical place or of a certain period, not only a story about a girl on one side and the entire world on the other. it is all of these and more.

it touches on every aspect of life. rich in themes and emotions conveyed.

what is also remarkable is that the author knows her space. no surprise Delia Owens is a wildlife scientist; she is more than capable to describe and tell stories about the marsh and the interconnections of the ecosystem.

the subplot of the Walker family is well built and i enjoyed it, probably, the most.

in the end, it is a well-written book and a good story.

i am presently at a loss for words.

this story is as beautiful as it is tragic — and tragic it is. so many times have i had to stop and stare into the void because it was simply too much to take. it is beautiful in its depiction of friendship, love, and simply life; of finding reasons to keep going and bumping into walls that keep you from it.

it is heart-wrenching and also heart-warming.

i can see how Hanya Yanagihara's storytelling (in this instance) could be an issue for some readers but i, for some reason, enjoyed it. i still have some issues with the development of story and characters and the authenticity of feelings that this book supposedly tries to convey (minor issues i might add) but, for the time being, i'll keep my own counsel.

the fact that the book gave the reader an overview of an entire life, makes one think of one's own — how it's been and how it is going to be — and maybe, even make one consider living it more consciously; if there is something to walk away with from this reading.

altogether, i liked this book. it is unlike anything i've read (at least recently) and it might even find its place amongst this year's favourites.