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Cruel Beautiful World


Cruel Beautiful World examines the intricate, infinitesimal distance between ...
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Which of the families in Cruel Beautiful World seem to be the most successful, and why? What do you think Leavitt is saying about the nature and importance of family?

Created: 08/04/17

Replies: 5

Posted Aug. 04, 2017 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
davinamw

Join Date: 10/15/10

Posts: 3442

Which of the families in Cruel Beautiful World seem to be the most successful, and why? What do you think Leavitt is saying about the nature and importance of family?

In her novel, Leavitt investigates family, what it means to be part of one, and what it means to bend the rules about what "family" can really mean. Which of the families in Cruel Beautiful World seem to be the most successful, and why? What do you think Leavitt is saying about the nature and importance of family?


Posted Aug. 06, 2017 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
sweeney

Join Date: 05/24/11

Posts: 185

RE: Which of the families in Cruel Beautiful World seem to be the most successful, and why? What do you think Leavitt is saying about the nature and importance of family?

Look at the families that iris was able to create..a life with Sam that was not traditional but still not totally unsatisfying. And then she gets two ersatz daughters and they create a bond none of them thought possible. And then when she thought her life was pretty much over... A partner to spend her remaining years.


Posted Aug. 10, 2017 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
reene

Join Date: 02/18/15

Posts: 497

RE: Which of the families in Cruel Beautiful World seem to be the most successful, and why? What do you think Leavitt is saying about the nature and importance of family?

I would have to say Iris created the most successful families, all be it, they were not traditional.
she was capable of providing love and happiness for two girls that came out of no where and could have caused her a tremendous amount of jealousy considering who the father was. Later in life she established a loving relationship with Joe, to spend her time with. Apparently the one ingredient for a happy family is love.


Posted Aug. 14, 2017 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
susiej

Join Date: 10/15/14

Posts: 363

RE: Which of the families in Cruel Beautiful World seem to be the most successful, and why? What do you think Leavitt is saying about the nature and importance of family?

I have been thinking about this question since I finished the novel, and I still don't have a decent response. I am not sure that much positive comes out here about family life. Iris was good to take responsibility for the girls and attempt to create a family for them, but did that really work? Iris is able, near the end of the novel, to begin a new family for herself, after both girls are gone, but is that a family? The sisters were connected more early on - but that connection broke down and it took a long time for "the family" to really look for Lucy. Maybe the most that comes out of this with regard to family is that it becomes who you choose it to be, not necessarily who you are born into. Even this doesn't work for me. Sorry....


Posted Aug. 14, 2017 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
alycet

Join Date: 04/23/12

Posts: 182

RE: Which of the families in Cruel Beautiful World seem to be the most successful, and why? What do you think Leavitt is saying about the nature and importance of family?

I think Iris created the most successful family. She did not have an easy task. Iris is
to be admired for raising the children without bitterness or resentment.


Posted Aug. 27, 2017 Go to Top | Go to bottom | link | alert
jeannew

Join Date: 04/23/11

Posts: 118

RE: Which of the families in Cruel Beautiful World seem to be the most successful, and why? What do you think Leavitt is saying about the nature and importance of family?

I didn't respond to this question originally because I had no idea how to answer. What families? There were really only relationships, Other than Iris, Charlotte and Lucy, there really were no other families. There was William and his mother, but that didn't seem to be much of a family. Lucy and William certainly weren't a family. Patrick and his family didn't have much of a relationship although it did seem more promising when he went to see his in-laws. I guess this makes me realize that Iris, Charlotte and Lucy were a good family unit, despite Lucy's running away. And this was mostly due to Iris' generous spirit and willingness to take on the 2 girls. Parents can't solve all problems for their kids, no matter how much they wish they could.


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