I'm going to say that he weaves this story. I know it's one of those forbidden review words, but that's what he does in all his novels. How he takes words and phrases and events and moves them in and out of his storytelling is genius. It makes the reader reflect and wonder what is it he is trying to put together and the result is a deep and involved reading experience. A reading experience that you feel. The plot is not pushed forward. He builds it gently and purposefully. Or as Doug says, "which you might remember if you cared." I love this. Love it.
3 more things to add:
1. The shout-out to the librarian cataloging all those Houghton Mifflin books (publisher of this novel) = fun.
2. In The Wednesday Wars, the passage where Holling says his sister's name for the reader ranks as one of the most memorable reading experiences of my life. I will never forget sitting in my car in a parking lot at work and wiping tears from my eyes as I listened to the CD. There's one of those in this one. Thanks, Mr. Schmidt.
3. I was worried reading this book. Ack! What if one day my sons don't like Gary D. Schmidt books?! I panicked for a moment. But only just that.
Note to the video: For 2 or 3 years we arranged for Mr. Schmidt to come to TLA. Every year there was some kind of transportation snafu. He finally came the year I was chair and I will forever regret the scant amount of time I was able to hear him speak.
*Okay, I will say that this could be what holds it back from proper medal award winning.
P.S. If anyone wants to talk about Doug's Dad & Ernie Eco with me I'd like to hear your thoughts on that in the comments.
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2 comments:
I loved this book! I don't think it is as perfect as Wednesday Wars, but Gary Schmidt slightly less than perfect is still pretty brilliant.
I agree with the play situation...and I also had a little issue with the dad and Ernie. The dad is not a very good dad, but I think, in many of the things that happened, Ernie was the instigator and the dad just couldn't stand up to him, even when his family really became affected. My issue is the character change/growth in the dad - it seemed to me to happen out of nowhere. I keep thinking I will go back and re-read to see if I pick up what made him change...But, this is what I keep wondering - Do I expect to see the subtle shift in his character because I'm a reader, when really Doug is telling the story and he may not have seen what sparked the change, only the end result? I'm curious to hear what others think.
I agree with you regarding the dad and getting the story from Doug. It was a fast transition. There were also a few observances of the mom and Ernie that gave me the chills. The dad seemed to be the tough guy, but the more I read the more I thought Ernie might be calling the shots. Ernie got him the job, the house, the truck. The part where Christoper was crying and worrying that maybe he is like his dad already also made me thing about the dad and Ernie. Maybe a long time ago the dad reached that point, like Christopher said about everyone saying you're one thing and that's all you'll be and so you just decide to be it.
Also, Mama's Baby? So powerful. I just can't forgive the guy so easily for that.
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