"Everything Is Illuminated" by Jonathan Safran Foer seems extremely interesting in the way the author decided to organize his writing. The character, Jonathan who is based off the author, goes on a journey to meet the woman who saved his grandfather during the Holocaust. I saw part of the movie two years ago and I found the story fascinating because the author decided to do something very unique. The narrator is a Ukrainian translator that knows some butchered English and Jonathan is an accomplished writer. The author wanted the narrator to tell the story using extremely sophisticated vocabulary words and as the sentence continues the words are extremely simple and do not make sense with the very accomplished word he had previously used.
The author also wanted to tell the story of a Jewish culture during 1791-1793. The translator suddenly launches into the story of a man who vanishes (or may be dead) and how he had left behind almost everything he owned, including a baby, in a riverbank. It also shows a very comedic side to the Jewish holiday in the story they call, Trachim, after the man who vanished. The author also talks about the very long prayers that are screamed from the rabbis and the strange townspeople. The author created an entire world of extremely gossipy and nosy people whom are very interesting.
The author is extremely creative in the way he decided to write the book and create the all those completed characters. The world of Jonathan Safran Foer is fascinating and a thrill to read. The movie was particularly funny from the almost psychotic characters thrown into the quest. For anyone who can carry a dictionary with them while their reading this will probably enjoy this, even though I've only read about 30 pages myself.
Sasha,
ReplyDeleteI like how you dissected the way the author wrote. It's kind of like unpacking a line, except you're doing so with his writing. The way you describe it, as accomplished words fading to butchered english, seems very confusing, and carrying a dictionary around seems very tedious. Do you ever get confused with his way of writing? What would you change about the authors way of writing? Great post! :)
Fiona,
DeleteWhen you're done with "The Book Thief" read this book. To answer your question I am truly confused by Jonathan Safran Foer's writing style. I would really try to change the strange vocabulary he uses when he writes through the mind of Alex, the translator. For example instead of using the regular word "rest", the author decided to use "repose" which I had never heard of before that do not make sense with the context.
Thanks :)
Sasha-
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I love the way you describe the author's techniques in the was he wrote the book. You beautifully described the techniques that the author used to show his style of writing, as well showing what made the story interesting. You made this book seem very intriguing. I also love how you described the "world" that the author created in the book. Additionally, you gave a really great, clear summary of the book as well, just to give the reader a taste of what the book is like. You also made it clear that the book is challenging, and it's great that you can admit that. Do you like that it is written this way, and why? Does it make the story more interesting? How does it affect the organization of the story? Also, how does it stay narrative using such complex vocabulary? Great job!
Hiya Elinor,
DeleteThanks so much for your wonderful words of encouragement! I personally find the book extremely confusing based on the organization skills and the vocabulary. The chapters switch from telling the story of Trachimbrod to the story of how they went to find Trachimbrod and I sometimes get confused as to where I am in each story. This writing style, makes the book absolutely fascinating, to the point where I cannot put it down. The story of the journey to Trachimbrod is told in first person which helps to make you feel in the character's shoes which is a narrative tool. The complex vocabulary makes that part of the story a narrative since that is how that character thinks and feels.
Thanks so much! :)