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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
reflective
sad
slow-paced
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I was looking for books written by Isabel Allende and I came across this short story. It was based from the 1985 Volcano Eruption in Colombia. I saw the picture of Omayra Sanchez from a Facebook post years ago. It haunted me. I tried looking for context online but I was overwhelmed with sadness. The same feeling has returned while I was reading this.
"Beside you, I wait for you to complete the voyage into yourself, for the old wounds to heal. I know that when you return from your nightmares, we shall again walk hand in hand, as before. "
"Beside you, I wait for you to complete the voyage into yourself, for the old wounds to heal. I know that when you return from your nightmares, we shall again walk hand in hand, as before. "
This was absolutely tragic. It gives light to rubbernecking disasters instead of actually helping, it informs us on how children can teach adults so much, and shows what little help governments actually provide. This is heart wrenching
When I was a preteen myself, a boy holding a National Geographic flipped it open to the portrait of Omayra Sánchez and said “that’s what you look like”. He was referring to, exaggerating, my big black irises. At the time I was hurt and disturbed. It might have been the first time I ever properly saw a dead or dying person. But I never forgot the picture, and always wondered where it came from.
Years later, I’m studying Latin American history in university and have developed a liking for Isabel Allende. I knew I had to track down a copy of this story. But where?
Believe it or not, I eventually found And of Clay We Are Created in a 10th grade English curriculum PDF. Looking for it there was probably the nerdiest thing I’ve ever done, but a great lifehack to keep in mind for the future. There’s a lot of curriculum online ripe with literature for the picking
To me, this story seems like the purest form of writing. Allende’s muse in Sánchez, who she has fictionalized here, is an honest and vulnerable thing. I think most writers have a tragedy or two that has struck the core of their humanity. It’s important to write about the things that stir you. And while the reporter in the tale is only somewhat able to exorcise his demons, I think the same can be said for Allende, and all writers.
The Armero Tragedy is a story of help that would never arrive. Omayra’s calm dignity and strength changed Colombia, and the world. I can only imagine how difficult it was for Allende to capture this topic with passion, and tact. I guess all I can say is... well done.
Years later, I’m studying Latin American history in university and have developed a liking for Isabel Allende. I knew I had to track down a copy of this story. But where?
Believe it or not, I eventually found And of Clay We Are Created in a 10th grade English curriculum PDF. Looking for it there was probably the nerdiest thing I’ve ever done, but a great lifehack to keep in mind for the future. There’s a lot of curriculum online ripe with literature for the picking
To me, this story seems like the purest form of writing. Allende’s muse in Sánchez, who she has fictionalized here, is an honest and vulnerable thing. I think most writers have a tragedy or two that has struck the core of their humanity. It’s important to write about the things that stir you. And while the reporter in the tale is only somewhat able to exorcise his demons, I think the same can be said for Allende, and all writers.
The Armero Tragedy is a story of help that would never arrive. Omayra’s calm dignity and strength changed Colombia, and the world. I can only imagine how difficult it was for Allende to capture this topic with passion, and tact. I guess all I can say is... well done.
Very sad short story based on a true mudslide following a volcano erupting in Colombia in 1985. Allende focuses on individual connections in a heartbreaking situation and how these moments can last forever within a survivor or witness.
Ugh. This was absolutely heartbreaking.
I highly recommend reading up on the tragedy that this story is based on before reading it. In 1985, a volcano erupted in Columbia and killed over 23,000 people. A 13 year old girl was trapped in the mud under her house with her aunt's lifeless arms gripping her tightly under the water. They couldn't get her out without tearing her legs off. She was trapped for 3 days while reporters surrounded her and interviewed her. A picture of her won photo of the year. She died on the third day of being trapped in the mud while the world watched and wept.
This is a fictionalized re-telling of that from the POV of a reporter and his wife. So, come prepared to be sad.
I highly recommend reading up on the tragedy that this story is based on before reading it. In 1985, a volcano erupted in Columbia and killed over 23,000 people. A 13 year old girl was trapped in the mud under her house with her aunt's lifeless arms gripping her tightly under the water. They couldn't get her out without tearing her legs off. She was trapped for 3 days while reporters surrounded her and interviewed her. A picture of her won photo of the year. She died on the third day of being trapped in the mud while the world watched and wept.
This is a fictionalized re-telling of that from the POV of a reporter and his wife. So, come prepared to be sad.