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A review by erboe501
The Opposite of Loneliness: Essays and Stories by Marina Keegan
5.0
Most moving book I've read this summer? THE OPPOSITE OF LONELINESS. I took this book slowly. I wanted time to digest each story or essay, to let it mature in my mind before moving on to the next one. I am amazed by Marina's talent, which makes her loss all the more crushing. To think of what other works she could have produced if she'd been given years. As a rising college sophomore, I'm impressed by how prolific Marina was in college. To have so much rich material to publish by your senior year of college is remarkable.
Everything about this book was good. The forward was just the right amount of reflection and praise. The photo on the book cover is just so perfect. A bright yellow trench coat, an almost smile, a long sleeve shirt with too-long sleeves. The photo also points to what part of the fascination with this book is. It's about the stories, but it's also about Marina herself. Who was this bright writer whose light was doused too early? But even if I hadn't known the tragedy of Marina's background, I would still be haunted by the truth of her prose.
My favorite essays were the title essay: "The Opposite of Loneliness," and "Stability in Motion," "Putting the 'Fun' Back in Eschatology, "Why We Care about Wales," and "Song for the Special." So, basically all of the essays. They are so relevant to college students. They are so truthful. I think every college student should read, if not this entire book, at least these essays. My favorite piece of fiction was "Cold Pastoral."
This is one of the strongest voices of our generation, in my opinion. Hopeful and only slightly rational.
Everything about this book was good. The forward was just the right amount of reflection and praise. The photo on the book cover is just so perfect. A bright yellow trench coat, an almost smile, a long sleeve shirt with too-long sleeves. The photo also points to what part of the fascination with this book is. It's about the stories, but it's also about Marina herself. Who was this bright writer whose light was doused too early? But even if I hadn't known the tragedy of Marina's background, I would still be haunted by the truth of her prose.
My favorite essays were the title essay: "The Opposite of Loneliness," and "Stability in Motion," "Putting the 'Fun' Back in Eschatology, "Why We Care about Wales," and "Song for the Special." So, basically all of the essays. They are so relevant to college students. They are so truthful. I think every college student should read, if not this entire book, at least these essays. My favorite piece of fiction was "Cold Pastoral."
This is one of the strongest voices of our generation, in my opinion. Hopeful and only slightly rational.