The Page Turner: White Oleander

So. Here I am with book numero dos. I keep wondering
as to why I even started this thing, but I figure
it'll help me keep my reading up. Like so many things
in life, I don't read as much I used to nor as much
as I would like to. I'm hoping that I read a book
that you've read before and some conversation is
sparked! For this addition of Look, it's a Book
Ms. Fitch's novel is a little more well known than
the last one I covered - some of this is contributed
to Hollywood and Oprah I'm sure. 

Now, I don't want to be overly critical, because

I don't necessarily think this novel was lousy,

but I found it a little young for me. The only

reason I chose it anyways, was because it was

sitting on my shelf unread and I had nothing

else to undertake. That being said, the poetic

narrative was highly engrossing, which was what

saved me from putting it back on the shelf. 

You're going to see a pattern in my reading, that's

for sure. While I don't tend to stick to one 

genre, time period, or country for literature, I

have noticed a similarity in the books I've read.

There's something about the poor man's plight that

profoundly speaks to me. I myself come from a

relatively poor family and one could say there is a

sense of relation with the lower class characters

of the novels I read. In regards to this novel

specifically, while I've never been in foster

care I did spend part of my fifteenth year in a

group home. Although, Astrid, you had to deal with

drama I would never even want to wish upon my

worst enemy. *SPOILER* While I've never been shot,

living in a group home was not all peachy keen.

I remember most this girl named Olga; was she ever

miserable and did she ever torment me! Too many

times did I walk down the steps to my basement

bedroom to find my room in a state of a tornado's

aftermath. All my posters would be ripped off the

wall and thrown about the room in pieces. The drawers

of the dresser were taken out and my clothes were

strewn on the floor. Oh, and malicious Olga sure

did get a kick out of me mopping. She would come

and kick my bucket causing dirty water to spill

over the freshly cleaned floor. If only I had

little talking critters and I would be set to

star in my own Disney movie! It wasn't until

she threatened my life that she was removed from

 the home...How I hope you're chewing on some karma

now, Olga! I think there is some sort of self

satisfaction when you read about someone who has

a less than idea life. Well, maybe not exactly a

feeling of satisfaction, but you do tend to stop

being so harsh on yourself. Come on, anyone watch

Shameless? When I watch that show I instantly feel

as if my life is glamorous. 

You might be wondering: was it worth reading? 

Hmmm....if you're into that whole Lolita thing,

then yes. Personally, that book irked me beyond

belief. There's something about the loss of

one's innocence that deeply saddens me. If I

could forever wear my overalls riding my bike

with my sister pretending they were horses and

we were cowgirls, then I would. Life isn't like

that though. Girls grow up. We start to doubt

ourselves. My blonde hair, which had always been

a subject of compliment when I was young, was

dyed almost black due to the intense desire to

look like everyone else. I suppose I did take

something from this novel, which coincidentally

mirrors the last novel's theme: the empowerment

of women. Wouldn't my professors of my women's

studies classes be proud of me now! 

What will I be reading next?

Kanthapura 

by Raja Rao