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A review by schadenfreudes
Waiting for Augusta by Jessica Lawson
5.0
Rating: 4.5/5
I would never imagined, I like this book more than I expected. This is the kind of bildungsroman that would make someone sad. It's beautiful, the tale of second chances for people that you've wronged in your life. The closest people you get in contact with are the most likely to easier get hurt by ourselves. The male protagonist went to seemingly a wild goose chase, supervised by his father who have already been ashes in a pewter urn.
His Dad is depicted as great man for other people in their café, but his love for golf always went overboard and got the better of him. In this book, Jessica Lawson tried to show how hard it is for teenage to process the death of the closest ones. Even though they claimed to hate them because of various things they did when alive, the process of letting it go sometimes make them seem strong without shedding any tears, but deep inside they are hurting.
There are some philosphical quotes about golf and life here and there, and I'm reading it delightfully. This book is a good rendition for golf athletes, lovers, and enthusiasts out there, with a touch of sentimental value of father and son bonding, including the friendship of Noni and Ben.
Benjamin Putter always feels his dad never really proud of him because he never really got into golf like his father expected to. Then suddenly, his dad died from the sudden surgery. He never shed a tear, and suddenly there is a lump in his throat as big as golf ball. After his death, Bogey Putter suddenly talked to his son from his ashes in the urn, asking him to take both of them to Augusta, where there is a biggest golf course in America.
This book showed how important wording is to everyone. Just a long sigh, unclear intention, the extra words, it could make the wrong impression towards the other party. The second chance that every one always need but don't deserve, is magically given to this boy.
The struggle Ben had is happening to other teens as well, so I feel like this book is good for contemplating life for the adults too. I must admit this book is a bit heavy to be called middle grade because the philosophical value it holds.
Noni is a sheltered girl with too many privileges. Indeed she was being a jerk for some times, but after reading this book I must admit I'm touched by her tenacity to give her father the sign to move on with his life. To forgive her, to let her go and make peace with this world. Her attempt to befriend Benjamin is so typical for teenage girls, and I like it because it's so natural.
Jessica Lawson brought out the racist issues back from the 70s, when the public schools were being opened for the colored people and the white people opened up private school so their children would be safe and sound. For the records, most of the bullying were done by the white supremacist children. Not the colored ones, like Benjamin said to his dad about these issue:
In the end, I give this book 4.5 stars because its complicated plot and heavy moral value. It's a good book, well written and worthy to read. It would give you a long time to contemplate life's meaning. Like Walter Hagen said:
“Some things are true whether other people believe you or not.”
I would never imagined, I like this book more than I expected. This is the kind of bildungsroman that would make someone sad. It's beautiful, the tale of second chances for people that you've wronged in your life. The closest people you get in contact with are the most likely to easier get hurt by ourselves. The male protagonist went to seemingly a wild goose chase, supervised by his father who have already been ashes in a pewter urn.
He only owned one book in the world, and it wasn’t the Bible. It was full of photographs and facts about Augusta.
His Dad is depicted as great man for other people in their café, but his love for golf always went overboard and got the better of him. In this book, Jessica Lawson tried to show how hard it is for teenage to process the death of the closest ones. Even though they claimed to hate them because of various things they did when alive, the process of letting it go sometimes make them seem strong without shedding any tears, but deep inside they are hurting.
“Golf is the closest game to the game we call life. You get bad breaks from good shots; you get good breaks from bad shots, but you have to play the ball where it lies.” (Bobby Jones)
There are some philosphical quotes about golf and life here and there, and I'm reading it delightfully. This book is a good rendition for golf athletes, lovers, and enthusiasts out there, with a touch of sentimental value of father and son bonding, including the friendship of Noni and Ben.
He sighed, and the disappointment hit me right in the gut, just like it always did. One sigh was all it took. I wondered if Daddy knew how much power was in his sighs, even his dead ones.
Benjamin Putter always feels his dad never really proud of him because he never really got into golf like his father expected to. Then suddenly, his dad died from the sudden surgery. He never shed a tear, and suddenly there is a lump in his throat as big as golf ball. After his death, Bogey Putter suddenly talked to his son from his ashes in the urn, asking him to take both of them to Augusta, where there is a biggest golf course in America.
But love isn’t a fact, it’s a feeling, and the feeling that my daddy loved me was like catching fog. It was there, but I couldn’t get a solid hold on it. I think maybe it was that extra word that made it all seem slippery. It was the anyway that made it feel like a lie.
This book showed how important wording is to everyone. Just a long sigh, unclear intention, the extra words, it could make the wrong impression towards the other party. The second chance that every one always need but don't deserve, is magically given to this boy.
Maybe I hadn’t said the right things either. Maybe I should have said more. Tried harder. Mrs. Marino showed up in my brain. It’s harder to be proud of something you don’t understand.
The struggle Ben had is happening to other teens as well, so I feel like this book is good for contemplating life for the adults too. I must admit this book is a bit heavy to be called middle grade because the philosophical value it holds.
“How come you’re never your charming self with me?” I asked.
“Still not funny.” She wrinkled her nose and handed me a cookie. “Showing you my true self is a testament to our friendship. Consider yourself lucky.”
Noni is a sheltered girl with too many privileges. Indeed she was being a jerk for some times, but after reading this book I must admit I'm touched by her tenacity to give her father the sign to move on with his life. To forgive her, to let her go and make peace with this world. Her attempt to befriend Benjamin is so typical for teenage girls, and I like it because it's so natural.
I’d wondered about Mr. Walter’s chair for months, staring at the spot in the café where he’d sat—a magic chair where it was easy to say things. I thought maybe Daddy and I could sit down and eat one day, and I’d sit in that chair. When I’d finally sucked down enough nerve to ask Mama about it, she’d said there was no magic chair. The thing that man was sitting in was his skin color. She said being white had made things easier for me, too.
Jessica Lawson brought out the racist issues back from the 70s, when the public schools were being opened for the colored people and the white people opened up private school so their children would be safe and sound. For the records, most of the bullying were done by the white supremacist children. Not the colored ones, like Benjamin said to his dad about these issue:
“Just because something’s allowed and it doesn’t break any laws, I don’t know if that makes it right.”
In the end, I give this book 4.5 stars because its complicated plot and heavy moral value. It's a good book, well written and worthy to read. It would give you a long time to contemplate life's meaning. Like Walter Hagen said:
You’re only here for a short visit. Don’t hurry, don’t worry. And be sure to smell the flowers along the way.