The language, dialogue, and characters Jackson uses in the book seems quirky, twisty and imaginative. It was like reading a Raymond Chandler novel. Did you like the snappy style?
Created: 12/01/16
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Yes , it was "real" especially what Paula had to endure when she was in placement.The Hindu mythology bothered me. I saw it as an extention of the mother's personality disorder i.e. Pretending she is someone she is not. Unable to have real realationships with her many boyfriends.again not taking responsibility for her actions. I know I am getting stuck on the personality disorder thing but this hits close to home.
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"Gritty style" throws me for a loop. This is a term I don't recognize! If that means down-to-earth, say-it-like-it-is language, it goes perfectly with the characters Joshlyn Jackson created.
Iread49: my exact thoughts on the Hindu lore. Personality disorder seems very relevant here.
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I agree with Cynthia about the ending and Iread49 about the references to the Hindu story.
I don't think the author wanted us to like Paula, especially when she was getting ready for her night on the town which nearly got her killed. The rawness of the language in the foster care institution was real. The language emphasized the girls' differences and backgrounds. When Clark told her in the alley that everyone who knew her thought she was a whore, it seemed to stop her in her tracks for a moment. Afterward she had more compassion for Birdwine.The grittiness of the language definitely helped in Paula's transformation to loving big sister, forgiving daughter, and probably happily married.
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Gritty did fit the characters. The only thing part of the book that bothered me were the descriptions of Paula's panic attacks. Those seemed to go on a little too long and did not seem so believable for someone that had overcome so many odds to be a high powered attorney.
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