Pavlina > Recent Status Updates

The more I read, the more I get the impression that the text could use a VERY sharp editor's pen

"The Man from Mars" is a coming-of-age story about Christine, a student stalked by a mysterious Asian man: the man becomes obsessed with Christine and follows her everywhere. Christine feels uncomfortable and annoyed by his presence but also curious and flattered by his attention. The man is eventually deported back to his country, leaving Christine with mixed feelings of relief and regret. Creepy AF!!!

"Training" follows Rob, a young camp counsellor trying to connect with Jordan, a girl paralyzed except for the slight movement of one hand. As Rob experiences awkward moments, he's forced to confront his own biases and the subtle power dynamics between caregiver and camper. "He wondered if she were ever allowed to help choose her own clothes" (164) = the institutional tendency to strip people of personal autonomy