Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer is a deep, complicated, beautiful novel about one family's experience with loss on 9/11. The novel was turned into a movie and it was surprisingly wonderful. They seemed to capture the essence of Foer's story in such a way that moved me to tears, caused me to feel that deep tug of sadness and yet there was a hopeful edge that reminded me that
we are all so very connected.
Even though 9/11 and all the events surrounding it reaches the depths of despair in such a way that is incomprehensible, there is a sense of "common experience" of 9/11 that Foer and the movie makers truly captured. There is a level of reality that is not always realized in fiction.(Even fiction based on true events.) The story was messy, complicated, surreal, endearing and allowed us to feel our humanity. It had elements of relatability that I appreciated.
It not only remind me that as a nation we were all a part of the Tragedies of 9/11 but that we, as humans, have the potential to be connected by incredible stories.
Our stories may not be as stark as the 2,996 incredible stories that could be told from the 9/11 attacks but we all have incredible stories to tell. Our stories are also complicated, deep, messy, endearing and often surreal. Their powers lie in the ability to teach others about life and how to navigate
through triumphs and tragedy.
It takes courage to tell our stories, but I think when we do, we connect to each other in a way that helps us feel less alone, less afraid and more able to survive in an unpredictable world where everything around us feels extremely loud and incredibly close.
So, so true. Wish I could have seen it with you guys:( Maybe a red box when it comes out? xoxo
ReplyDeleteI would see it again, for sure. Redbox or in the theater...I will see it with you if you want...:) xoxo
DeleteI think you've captured my emotions right along with yours! I was so grateful for the strands of comic relief that came along just when I was about to sob out loud and also that the message of connectivity came through loudly and clearly. Wow. What a book--what a movie.
ReplyDeleteLoved both!
ReplyDeleteI just have to share these because it's awesome that we both blogged about this book!
ReplyDeletelovemaura
http://maurabryn.blogspot.com/2011/12/foer-strikes-again.html
http://maurabryn.blogspot.com/2011/11/extremely-loud-and-incredibly-close.html
Awesome, Maura!!! I remember reading these last fall...aren't there just a million quotes that could be life lessons from that book? Are you still seeing him in April???
Deletexoxo
I do get to meet him in April! I'm so super excited. I'll probably turn in to a blithering idiot who can't speak a coherent sentence, but it'll still be a cool experience!
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