Jolynn’s Comments (group member since Sep 09, 2011)

Jolynn’s comments from the 108A TE Fall 2011 group.

Marissa wrote: "I wonder if Cecile left because she knew she could not be a mother and that the girls would be better off with the dad and grandma?"

I wonder that too. If so, it must be heartbreaking for her to take them on again. I hadn't thought about it in this way. It's too easy to just see Cecile as a bad, cold person.

Steven wrote: "So although I have many questions about this book, including why is the book's narrative progression so jumbled between and within chapters?, I also think I have made some connections and predictio..."

Wow, yes, you two just took it to a whole other level with the connections to writing workshop. I hadn't connected the writing of a story in this letter to the writing process in general. Thanks...gonna steal it for next semester! :)

Oh yes, that quote about the veils is so deep and a little chilling for me. I agree, the veil is kind of comfortable at times, no?

Nga wrote: "We stopped at a very suspenseful part of the story and I'm anxious to read on too. It lightens my heart when I read that there are many characters besides Gram that care for Naomi (and Owen), inclu..."

I'm really struck by the point you bring up, Nga. It seems to be a theme here about protecting kids. It seems as if we aren't necessarily really protecting them, but ourselves sometimes.

Wow, I hadn't made that connection to The Wire (perhaps my favorite tv show of all time), but it makes a lot of sense particularly the complex characterizations of the "young thugs" (using quotes to show how the outside world sees these young men). It's too easy to demonize children by their actions and I was also struck by the moments of tenderness and even innocence in both the characters of Yummy and certainly Michael in The Wire.

Why did you choose this book as one of your top choices?

Why did you choose this book as one of your top choices?

Why did you choose this book as one of your top choices?

Why did you choose these two books as one of your top choices?

Why did you choose this book as one of your top choices?