auto #2

Rosie Caldwell
Professor M. Boland
English 329- literacy
26 January 2008
Autobiographical Insight #2
When I was fairly young, I remember reading Where the Red Fern Grows. This is a classic that I have heard many people reflect back on and comment on the feelings they had when they first read it and the evolution of emotions as they read it for the second or third time. I remember being completely enthralled with the story of the little boy who wanted these two hounds. I was touched by his determination and love for these dogs. Late into the night I would curl up under the covers with a flashlight, always anxious for the ending and yet, not wanting it to end. Feeling proud of the boy for saving his money and seeing the response of his grandfather was touching. But mostly, remembering how I was engulfed in sorrow when the Dan died and Anne wilted and died soon afterwards. I remember how the pain I felt for these fictitious figures was as real was when I had to put down my cat of 13 years. I thought it was odd, being so attached to figments of my imagination, but I was. I cried while reading it and for several weeks afterwards.
My mother reads compulsively, and my father has begun to read almost as much as her. The master bedroom, guest room, living room and even the dining room are all lined with bookshelves filled with an assortment of books. Cooking books, history books, encyclopedias, books for dummies, books about westerns, fantasy, and whatever else. Also, there always seems to be a LA or NY Times around. Between my parents, every book on those shelves has been read. Needless to say, my parents are very well read and learned. Obviously, books and newspaper articles were important to my parents and were constantly present in the house and their conversations. At lease once a week my mother would find an article about how yoga or breathing deeply will greatly reduce my stress level. She would read different political views, or express her gratitude for her family after reading a clip from “Dear Abby.” Dad seemed more interested in local type news and human interest pieces, as well as finding grammatical trouble areas in the local newspaper. Through osmosis, I picked up my current ideologies, views and base of knowledge of the world and the political and moral complexities that are embedded in society.
I have not read for pleasure in quite some time. Even when I have read, I find myself not appreciating the story as much as observing different writing methods. Despite the complexity and brilliance of the plot, I am more interested different descriptive passages, the author’s voice and use of language. I’m not sure when my approach to reading fictional work changed to this attention to style rather than content, but it has persisted throughout my college years. The last time I read a book (Wit’ch Fire?) that I loved and enjoyed reading was by James Clemens. Even then I was more attracted to his voice and style…the story was engaging and eventful; full of action, battle scenes, a sexy knight and a hot protagonist who eventually fall in love and go on their way. This book is an emotional rollercoaster, many plot twists and interesting characters throughout this book; all of which made it enjoyable and fun to read. But the author has the most beautiful way of describing things. I would read passages over and over in an attempt to soak in the beauty of his language. I felt as if I was placed there in his reality, experiencing the world he so artfully described. I cannot remember the last time I connected so strongly to a voice or style, but perhaps when I graduate I will be able to read more and find another author who stirs the senses of my imagination.