Chapters 1 and 2

There are many reasons that I love a book immediately. Natacha Appanah’s writing is wonderful. Her language creates emotions within me much like a wonderful piece of music. I sit on the edge of my couch as her words seem to stir inside of me the same emotions that Raj has when he dreams of another time…a time when David was alive and with him.

Interview with the Author

Click on the link below to hear an interview with the author.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/art/blog/2011/05/conversation-nathacha-appanah-author-of-the-last-brother.html

So many insightful observations and comments

Charlotte Bronte, through her characters, expresses a litany of observations and advise concerning education, self confidence and other life lessons. How many of us spend endless, yet useless hours angry as a person or situation. Read below…pass on some of your favorite quotes of sage advice from the book.

“Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity, or registering wrongs.”

“We shall think you what you prove to be.”

 

The Connection between Jane Eyre and Charlotte Bronte

I have been reading Jane Eyre and the Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte simultaneously. Jane Eyre is definitely written through the life and attitude of the author. During that time period, assertive women were “bound to be punished for violating the natural order of the universe.”Jane Eyre, like Charlotte Bronte was a very independent thinker who did not care about conforming to society.

A woman who refuses to conform to societal expectations!!! How vulgar and sinful!!!

I found a very interesting article, published in The Quarterly Review in 1848 (the reviewer is a woman) in which Jane Eyre is said to be “a undisciplined spirit.” While I find that to be a compliment, click on the review below, and lets talk about not only what a wonderful strong character Jane Eyre is, but how strong and wonderfully “undisciplined” a woman Charlotte Bronte must have been to have created her. Please also feel free to write about any other aspect of the book that you would like to discuss.

http://www.d.umn.edu/~csigler/Rigby.html

The Power of believing in yourself

“I was in fifth grade when my reading tutor …..asked me our of the blue what I thought I might like to do with my life.
Without a moments hesitation, I answered that I wanted to be a writer.”
The rest, as they say, is history. The except below is from his talk at the Churchill School.

The importance of parents as a child’s advocate.

As a former teacher I know there is a fine line between the parent who believes her child is never wrong, and the parent who knows that their child is suffering and has a reason to finally strikes back. How lucky for the author that his mother believed in him.

Some thoughts before reading

I have a grandson that is autistic. It is heartbreaking at times to watch him struggle, as he is such a wonderful person. What is it like to always struggle in school? What is it like for a parent/grandparent to watch the struggle?

Affirmative Action

Through Cedric’s life circumstances and education, Ron Suskind resumed the discussion concerning the importance of affirmative action. The importance of factoring in race, however, is diluted with the importance of lumping in gender, sexual orientation etc. It was quite upsetting for me to read that socieconomic status is considered foremost in determining the success of those who will benefit from these policies. Do you think impoverished minorities really benefit from Affirmative Action?

Parental Attitudes

Israel Atkins Sr. believes that hoping for too much in this world can be dangerous. Consequently, his son, a gifted saxophone player, becomes a cafeteria cook. I am appalled but pushing aside my views from an entitled perspective I wonder what is the reality that enables this feeling to be swayed. I know Cedric is an exception, but I am looking for larger percentages. Thoughts?