decemberthirty (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
decemberthirty) wrote2002-12-18 02:56 pm
decemberthirty) wrote2002-12-18 02:56 pm
Entry tags:
(no subject)
Well, it's certainly been a while since I've had anything to say... But that's not because I haven't been reading! Since my last update I read Bastard Out of Carolina by Dorothy Allison, and found it totally engrossing. I wouldn't necessarily say that it was the most literary piece of fiction ever, but it was well written and extremely engaging. I particularly appreciated Allison's ability to work with a large cast of characters and yet manage to have each one of them seem like a distinct character, with individual qualities and and a unique perspective.
The book also provides an incredible portrait of rural poverty. It's easy for those of us who live in big cities to look around and see the panhandlers and homeless folks and think that that's all there is to poverty in this country. But this book served as a strong reminder that there is crushing destitution in rural areas as well, and that lives are as easily destroyed by poverty out in the sticks as they are in the inner city.
One caveat, however, before I recommend this book to anyone: it has at least one highly disturbing scene that could potentially be very upsetting. It is certainly worth reading, but you should be warned.
The book also provides an incredible portrait of rural poverty. It's easy for those of us who live in big cities to look around and see the panhandlers and homeless folks and think that that's all there is to poverty in this country. But this book served as a strong reminder that there is crushing destitution in rural areas as well, and that lives are as easily destroyed by poverty out in the sticks as they are in the inner city.
One caveat, however, before I recommend this book to anyone: it has at least one highly disturbing scene that could potentially be very upsetting. It is certainly worth reading, but you should be warned.