Welcome to week 3! I have bumped into a couple of the students at school who are reading the book. They expressed being shocked and very emotional, just as we have been. There are many folks who have been incredulous about the possibility of Carver being prosecuted for the text. Upon just a little research, it seems that the topic of liability on the texters part is being widely explored.
In Chapter 17, on page 149, after describing the antics of the Sauce Crew in school, I noted what I felt was a bittersweet and prophetic statement, "There doesn't seem to be any consequence to anything we do." That left a lump. Carver has been forced to face the myth of the "immortality of youth." And the encounter in the hall with Adair...that's a lot of wrath! I was really taken aback at much of what she said, but accusing him of trying to curry sympathy with his "episode" on the first day of school? Her rage made me think that she needs to be in some form of counseling. That level of acrimony is dangerous in such a young person and I wish we knew whether or not this was typical behavior for her. And then we learn about the Facebook page she created. Can we just talk about this? Georgia driving away for school leaves him feeling like his "life was shrinking again." Seriously, Zentner, you capture emotion in such a beautiful way! When Carver's parents came into his room to tell him about the investigation into the accident and he told them he needed to be alone, I died As a mom, I don't think I could have left him alone. I think I would have been terrified to leave. He reached out to Jesmyn, but I just could not have left. Speaking of Jesmyn, after admiring her healthy ability to mourn, it hit me that she did not have the added torture of guilt, as Carver does. So let me turn it over to you, my friends. I'm sure you have lots to say about all this, and I've left you Nana Betsy and Carver's goodbye day. Wow...
10 Comments
Virginia Williams
12/3/2018 03:16:34 pm
I totally agree with Anne about Adair and her unhealthy attitude towards Carver. She certainly needs some counseling. While I understand her complete sense of loss and how she really doesn't know how to grieve, she is a viscious young lady who could use the help of Dr. Mendez.
Reply
Chris Danielewicz
12/8/2018 04:09:01 am
I agree that there seems to be some difficulty in the Briggs family dynamics. There were hints of this when Carver spoke about the argument he had with his mom while Blake was visiting. We may be given a fuller picture of this as the other "goodbye days" take place.
Reply
Heather Chung
12/4/2018 07:03:31 am
I agree with the Pg. 169 what if's section being hard to read about. His detailed story of what could have happened all pointing to him being the changing factor is tough. I also thought it was interesting and sad how on Pg. 174 he has a conversation with Eli in his head imagining what he would have said in that situation about his interactions with Jesmyn. And then at the beginning of Ch.26 he says "sometimes I forget they are gone for a few seconds" and then goes on to equate it to having a phantom limb. I thought that was a really interesting comparison and power point by the author to get a glimpse of what he is feeling.
Reply
Chris Danielewicz
12/8/2018 04:16:11 am
I agree, Heather, that Carver is a hero in so many ways.
Reply
Renee Tobias
12/6/2018 07:03:34 pm
It was very interesting to read about the goodbye day that Nana Betsy has planned. I even tried to research if a goodbye day is really a thing people do but didn’t find anything. Nana Betsy seems to rely on her faith to get her through this difficult time. She felt that God’s hand guided her and Blake to Nashville and that his death was God working in mysterious ways. Perhaps this explains why she doesn’t put blame on Carver like the others have. So, the goodbye day revealed some interesting information about Blake, Carver and Nana Betsy. The bad fishing trip seemed fun until the end when Nana Betsy left the rods and note. I wonder what the note said that she left with the very large tip at the Waffle House. I was surprised to read about Blake’s past and give Nana Betsy kudos for intervening and wanting the best for her grandson.
Reply
Chris Danielewicz
12/8/2018 04:27:13 am
I could not find any information about formal "goodbye days," either, but I did find references to such a thing here: https://www.mitchalbom.com/if-you-had-one-day-with-someone-whos-gone/ The everyday little moments are the ones we miss the most and the ones we tend to want to relive.
Reply
Chris Danielewicz
12/8/2018 04:02:42 am
I have so much underlined and starred in this section. Zentner is a master at creating imagery that not only awakens the senses, but that touches the heart. The point in this section that stirred me the most was Nana Betsy’s and Carver’s heart wrenching struggle with their understanding of God.
Reply
Chris Danielewicz
12/8/2018 04:35:35 am
At the 4:30 mark in this video, there is a beautiful encouragement that I would love to share with Nana and Carver if I could: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI3I6xYor6E
Reply
Gretchen Vogle
12/9/2018 07:33:07 pm
The idea of a good-bye day was interesting to me. At first, I didn’t like it. No one can replace someone who is gone. However, after reading about Carver’s day with Nana Betsy, I started to realize how such a day could be healing and comforting. They each learned more about the person they lost. The day must have been comforting to Carver if he is thinking about having another for Eli.
Reply
Lisa Foran
12/10/2018 03:35:59 am
As I was reading the the chapter about Carver's goodbye day with Nana Betsy I kept waiting for something bad to happen - especially after the incident with Adair in school, I really thought that someone would find out and criticize Carver for it. I was happy to commence the goodbye day with just tears of my own. Although I am an emotional reader, I was really surprised to find myself so emotional over this event. The author was so convincing in his portrayal of love between Nana Betsy and Blake even after his death. I cried for Carver as he had to tell Blake's mom about his death, but it gave me some solace knowing that Nana Betsy didn't have to do that horrible task.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |