Two teen-aged girls, a middle-aged woman, and the school shooting that connects them.
Written: Jul 30 '09 (Updated Jul 30 '09)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Reads almost like free-flowing poetry; beautifully written, thought-provoking story
Cons: One particular question the ending left me with; some imagery felt forced
The Bottom Line:
The Life Before Her Eyes
is poetry. Not in the straightforward sense of haiku or pentameter, but in a free-flowing style full of brilliant imagery.
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| dandj's Full Review: Laura Kasischke - The Life Before Her Eyes |
On an April day when the coldness of winter slinks away, and the fresh life of spring walks gloriously in, two girls, best friends, will face the bitter ugliness of death.
They are in the bathroom, primping and talking before their first class, when the sound of automatic gunfire breaks through the barrier of teen-aged immortality. They hear the screams echoing through the halls, the chaos inching closer, and then he's there in the girls' room asking the question "Which one of you should I kill?" Choosing neither is not an option. One of the girls, loyal through her fears, offers up herself and asks that the other be saved. And the other . . . what does she choose?
Diana McFee's life is as close to perfect as she can imagine it ever could be. She has a wonderful husband, who was once her professor. She has a beautiful daughter, a part-time job teaching art at the community college, and she lives in her dream home. The events that shape her daily world blend together as though they are her own personal series of paintings. Why is it then that she suddenly seems to be struggling? Is it the effects of middle age? The voice of regret? Perhaps it is simply the intrusion of reality as it nudges its way in, a rude reminder that nothing is that perfect.
These are the two stories (or rather periods of time, past and present, past and future) that share the space inside the covers of Laura Kasischke's artistic novel "The Life Before Her Eyes." There is so much more I would love to touch upon regarding the plot points, but I fear saying the wrong thing and taking away something from the next reader. I do not want to spoil, but to encourage more people to read this beautiful book. Simply put, it bleeds with the need for discussion. In fact, I will be recommending it to my library director for her book group.
I was drawn to this book after having seen the movie, starring Uma Thurman, that was based on it. My hope was that the book, being necessarily more in-depth, would answer some questions that I was left with at the end of the film. That endeavor was unsuccessful, as I was actually left with further questions due to the slightly different ending. Far from being disappointed, however, I welcomed the provocation of thought. A good work will do more than show or tell you something that the artist or author wants you to know, but instead will cause you to delve into yourself and use your mind. This kind of book makes it more difficult to just close the cover and move on to the next.
The Life Before Her Eyes is poetry. Not in the straightforward sense of haiku or pentameter, but in a free-flowing style full of brilliant imagery. Each chapter is given a one word title which further enhances the poetic feeling. The story smoothly bounces back-and-forth between the forty-year-old Diana and flashbacks of the two teen-aged girls. The time spent with each is longer in the beginning, but shortens as the book nears its end, and they begin to blend together with signs that, once subtle, become clearer as truth begins to dawn on the reader. And then you know . . . and then it's over, but it will remain with you as you mentally recount certain events that now, when put into this enlightened perspective, make sense.
This book very nearly earned a five-star rating, but for two things. There were a few occasions where the imagery felt forced, as though the author were trying too hard to find some poetic comparison, and the result was unsuccessful for me. Try as hard as I could, I was unable to visualize some of them. Also, as satisfying as it is to be moved to think deeply about a novel even after it's over, I was left with one burning question that I just can't answer for myself. In that aspect, the final choice, the film left me with a clearer reasoning, but it does not detract from the overall beauty that is The Life Before Her Eyes.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
dandj
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Member: Danielle Reid
Location: Michigan
Reviews written: 439
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In the old days, it was not called the Holiday Season ~ Dave Barry
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