I was browsing through The Writer's Block in Las Vegas when I inquired about Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer. It follows 9-year-old Oskar Schell in his adventure to find information about a key he found in a vase that belonged to his father who was killed in the 9/11 attacks.
I can't quite remember where I heard about it but I searched through rows of immaculate shelves with an employee. They didn't have it. I found it at another used bookstore & was excited to start reading it. Well, I've finally finished it.
3 Things I Learned from Reading Extremely Loud & Incredible Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
1. DESCRIPTION OF DRESDEN BOMBING.
I just finished reading Kurt Vonnegut's Armageddon in Retrospect where he discusses his experience with the bombing. Incidentally, Foer's book captures one of the most vivid descriptions of that event.
2. LITERARY DEVICE GALORE.
The book is a goldmine of literary devices including symbolism, allusion, point of view, stream of consciousness, pathos, motif, etc. I wouldn't be surprised if it's in a literature course syllabus.
3. THE MOVIE.
There is a movie adaptation and the cast includes Tom Hanks, Sandra Bullock, Viola Davis, & John Goodman. I can't wait to watch it.
When I first started reading it, I was lost. Various images were scattered randomly throughout the book and it felt chaotic. However, having finished it and reflecting on what I read, it showcased Oskar's complicated mind. How difficult it was to lose his father in such a tragic manner and how complex the character's were (I'm talking about you, grandpa).
Needless to say, I enjoyed reading it.
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