A survivalist, her father becomes more paranoid and controlling as the story progresses. In this page-turner by Kristin Hannah (author of The Nightingale), thirteen-year-old Leni watches her gentle and artistic mother struggle to live a happy and secure life with her father, a Vietnam War vet, who suffers from PTSD. The Great Alone is the story of a dysfunctional family that eventually moves to the harsh wilderness of Alaska to make a fresh start. These memorable characters allow me to rate both stories 4 Stars and to recommend these reads to others. He had defined me to myself, and there’s no greater power than that.” Brief Synopsis and Review of The Stories:
Tara’s words about her abusive brother: “Shawn had more power over me than I could possibly have imagined. Learning to dance felt like learning to belong.” Tara’s words after dance class: “The other girls rarely spoke to me, but I loved being there with them. Each girl is memorable in her grit, her ability to survive, and her drive to strive for something better in her life. While Leni receives support from her small village community, Tara receives support from one brother, a BYU counselor, and some professors. Each girl feels threatened (one by her father and the other by her brother) and fears for her safety. In addition, they are determined, persistent, courageous, loyal, clever, and brave. Leni and Tara share a drive to pursue an education and a desire to belong. Surprisingly, they continue to love and show devotion for their parents (this struck me in The Glass Castle, as well). Both endure emotional and physical abuse (not sexual), yet despite difficult childhoods, they each rise above their circumstances. Both Leni and Tara are my choices for this month’s most compelling characters because they share some experiences and traits that make them memorable. For me, memorable characters who grow and change despite the obstacles make all the difference in a good story.
0 kommentar(er)
