MARCH BOOK CLUB REVIEW

This month's book:
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer

Synopsis (thanks Janine): Oskar is nine years old and grieving after the death of his father, in the 9/11 attacks. Oskar comes across a key that is tucked away in an envelope labeled “Black.” He is convinced that finding the owner of the key would somehow lead him to answers about his father’s death. The event of finding the key becomes the backdrop of the story as Oskar sets off to track down everybody with the surname Black in the city. Interwoven into the story are stories of Oskar’s grandparents who came to America from Dresden, Germany.

Did you like/dislike the book:
I point blank didn't like it. I tried and tried. The different voices confused me at times, sometimes I wondered who was speaking. I perservered through about 3/4 of the book then skimmed to the end and read the last chapter hoping all would become clear. It didn't.

I did like the illustrations throughout which added a slight quirkiness.I kept thinking they were cool.

Penny said she struggled to comprehend that a nine year old would think these things but I concede that a 9 year old (was he autistic?) kid might. My Mr Nearly 9 never ceases to amaze me with his thought processes.

The best thing about the book was the title.

Did it affect you in any way?:

Well reading a book I didn't like reminded me that it is good to stretch myself sometimes. But it made me feel like a loser because i just didn't 'get' it - made me feel intellectually inept or something.

This book remined me that it's OK not to waste time reading stuff I don't like!