Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat

       I recently completed Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat. The main character Sophie lived in Haiti with her aunt and grandmother. Sophie's mother lived in New York. Sophie was conceived after her mother was raped. When she was 12, she got a ticket to go to the United States.
        Being Sophie must have been hard, knowing that your mother suffered because of you, knowing that you weren't wanted. Sophie's mother drank poison to abort her and even tried to kill herself, but it didn't work.In the book, Sophie's mother said that she "didn't want to die". This persistence to thrive is evident throughout the book.
         Sophie did well in school, and he mother wanted her to be a doctor. She met a man and after failing her mother's "virgin tests" she was kicked out- sent to live with him. Sophie became a secretary, and married Joseph, the man. Sophie had a daughter, despite her being without her mother.
         Sophie's mother became pregnant again, and ended up taking her own life. This was later in the book but it was the most climactic point in it. Sophie was forever a mistake, and even though she was loved, she must've known this. I don't think I could continue to try to succeed knowing that I wasn't wanted. Sophie thrived, despite all of the problems that surrounded her, which is really inspiring.
         This reminds me of Girl in Translation, where the main character was a poor immigrant, but ended up becoming a doctor, and saving her family from an unsafe lifestyle.

Before We Were Free

         I've always loved Julia Alvarez's book because it showed me how hard it is to keep hope in times of struggle. The main character, Anita, lived in the Dominican Republic, where a dictator ruled in the 1960's. Anita's father was involved in the murder of the dictator, and Anita and she mother had to go into hiding.
         Anita's brother was hidden in the embassy, her father and uncle were in prison, most likely dead. Anita's sister had to go to the United States after the elderly dictator tried to court her. Anita and her mother hid in a closet in a friend's bedroom. Anita was only 12, and I don't know how I would have handled that. One man ruined her life. The reality she once knew was only in her memory. Throughout the day, she found satisfaction in writing in her diary and reading books reccommended by the friend's son, who she liked.
         Anita didn't know if she'd live; the chances weren't likely. At any moment, the secret police could've raided the house and discovered her and her mom. Surprisingly, Anita made it from day to day. When a small problem arises in my life, I panic, acting as if the world will end because of my miniscule issue. Anita's family was falling apart, but she didn't allow her sanity to. In the book you can see that she struggled to stay sane, as I'm sure anyone would. She faced her problems with optimism, and in the end, she won.
        

Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers

        I think the author of Redeeming Love, Francine Rivers, does a good job of conveying that people often fear love. This almost chilling topic was showed through the main character, Angel.
        Angel was born outside of wedlock, her father a married man. During her childhood, she heard her father say that he had wanted her aborted. Her mother died, and she was given to a man who raped her. She ran away and became a prostitute in 1850'S Gold Country. A man saw her, and married her after saving her life.
           Angel was afraid to love after all she'd been through. Angel didn't want to befriend a neighbor family, afraid they'd leave. She was afraid to love because she was afraid of getting hurt. In her opinion, everyone she loved and trusted seemed to die or leave. I don't blame Angel for her tendency to avoid love. Duke, the man who raped her said, "Love is a trap, Angel." (52%).
           Often in life, we avoid people who are kind to us. We avoid kind people- why? Because we're like Angel, afraid of getting hurt. Angel didn't want to love her husband, she didn't want to love her friend, or her neighbors. Sometimes we do this indirectly, by avoiding a particularly kind person. We let our stereotypes and prejudices cloud our vision of a person. Angel, from past experiences, was convinced that men were evil, out to use her. Her husband LOVED her. I can admit that sometimes, when someone is trying to help me, I avoid them, and I don't even know why.
            Angel later discovered that love wasn't what she'd been taught in her sad life. She saw that love meant trust. She had to trust that those she loved would treat her well, and not lean on her own convictions.
     
       

EC Blog

Life As We Knew It  by Susan Pfeffer

This book is absolutely thrilling, and very scary. Miranda, the main character, lived in a small town in Pennsylvania when an asteroid hit the moon, causing a worldwide tragedy- power was out, epidemics soared, tsunamis consumed cities, earthquakes killed thousands, and there was little food.
Miranda was a regular person, and one incident changed her life. She was once focused on school, friends and later Dan, her boyfriend. Her friend died, she didn't know where her father was, or if he was alive.  This makes me think about how easily life can be lost, and how precious it is.
Although this was a work of fiction, it was absolutely possible. Death may not be as extreme for us, but on any day we can be hit by a car, or fall, or have a heart attack. The scary thing is, we never know when death may come. We've become so used to life, that we don't realize it can end.
Miranda learned that the hard way, when all around her was death. On a more positive side, Miranda found life among the death by spending time with her family. She didn't know if she'd live, but she made the most of the life she had.
I commend Susan Pfeffer for teaching this in her book, because it made me think of how priveledged I am to be healthy and living. I don't have to worry about my next meal, or if I'll see someone I love again.

“Life is an opportunity, benefit from it.
Life is beauty, admire it.
Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is a challenge, meet it.
Life is a duty, complete it.
Life is a game, play it.
Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is sorrow, overcome it.
Life is a song, sing it.
Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a tragedy, confront it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is luck, make it.
Life is too precious, do not destroy it.
Life is life, fight for it.”
― Mother Teresa