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A review by salgalruns
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
4.0
Let me admit that I did the unthinkable - I saw the movie BEFORE reading the book (or listening to it, in my case). I now want to see the movie all over again for a couple reasons. 1) The book CLEARLY gives much more background to the highly developed characters that Jonathan Safran Foer weaves through the story and 2) I happened to love the movie. Seriously well cast.
As for the actual story, I was completely drawn to Oskar. I love him. His creativity knows no bounds. I could just imagine the conversations that would, of course, bother most adults to a high degree. However, the author weaves him in such a fashion that his eccentricities become his language. I think the audiobook really helped this point. I fell in love with the language that was Oskar - his thoughts just sort of developed a rhythm, much like the accents that were read for the other characters in the story.
Grandma - Wow. She's a bit of a nutcase, and yet, you really don't see that in the movie. Her use of something spaces and nothing spaces? Really? It's enough to drive anyone insane. While I cannot fathom her reason for marriage, even though so many parts of it seemed miserable for her, I cannot fault her for the deep and intense devotion she had for her grandson. Remarkable. Everyone should have a family member such as this.
Grandpa - I thoroughly enjoyed his backstory. Not at all what I had envisioned, and again, was drawn into his life. Tragic. Don't quite understand why he chose to marry Grandma either, but I guess grief will make a person a wee bit nutso as well.
Mom - I used to hate her, especially in the way that I think Oskar needed more support. Yet, with the fact that she knew just how to read him, and knew to keep him safe, you DO end up respecting her by the end. I had to keep reminding myself that she experienced her own loss as well, and that she was obviously the 2nd loved parent, after the close father/son bond with Oskar and his dad. I just feel she needs more friends.
LOVED LOVED LOVED Mr. Black from upstairs. Kooky character and the audiobook was AWESOME with him. He just sounded amazing. What a great relationship they had! If you ever get a chance to hear the portions with him, just do it. He'll have you cracking up.
Fantastic choice to listen to - thank you to my local library for having it it on CD for me!
As for the actual story, I was completely drawn to Oskar. I love him. His creativity knows no bounds. I could just imagine the conversations that would, of course, bother most adults to a high degree. However, the author weaves him in such a fashion that his eccentricities become his language. I think the audiobook really helped this point. I fell in love with the language that was Oskar - his thoughts just sort of developed a rhythm, much like the accents that were read for the other characters in the story.
Grandma - Wow. She's a bit of a nutcase, and yet, you really don't see that in the movie. Her use of something spaces and nothing spaces? Really? It's enough to drive anyone insane. While I cannot fathom her reason for marriage, even though so many parts of it seemed miserable for her, I cannot fault her for the deep and intense devotion she had for her grandson. Remarkable. Everyone should have a family member such as this.
Grandpa - I thoroughly enjoyed his backstory. Not at all what I had envisioned, and again, was drawn into his life. Tragic. Don't quite understand why he chose to marry Grandma either, but I guess grief will make a person a wee bit nutso as well.
Mom - I used to hate her, especially in the way that I think Oskar needed more support. Yet, with the fact that she knew just how to read him, and knew to keep him safe, you DO end up respecting her by the end. I had to keep reminding myself that she experienced her own loss as well, and that she was obviously the 2nd loved parent, after the close father/son bond with Oskar and his dad. I just feel she needs more friends.
LOVED LOVED LOVED Mr. Black from upstairs. Kooky character and the audiobook was AWESOME with him. He just sounded amazing. What a great relationship they had! If you ever get a chance to hear the portions with him, just do it. He'll have you cracking up.
Fantastic choice to listen to - thank you to my local library for having it it on CD for me!