Given the limits and challenges Christina faces, how does Christina Baker Kline bring drama to her story?

The majority of historical fiction revolves around important or influential figures—monarchs, cultural beacons or warmongers. Christina, by contrast, lives a 'quiet, ordinary life.' How does Kline extract drama and complexity in Christina's character?

Poorly.

The author makes her have desires and hopes just like everyone else. Her love affair with Walton, her family’s dynamics, her friendships, and her fear of getting medical help for her disability.

Her story is not dramatic--it is everyday life -- there are flashes of something new and different in all our lives--the changing seasons, new people, a shopping trip to the big town miles away, the sudden discovery of a perfect shell on the beach or the first robin. A momentary jolt out of the ordinary, that brings a smile, a lifting of the heart, a piece of an old song on your lips, a tear at bad news.

The author brings drama to the story by specifically addressing Christina’s emotional state, expectations, and ways she overcomes her physical limitations. In Christina’s childhood trip to the doctor who was supposed to fix her legs, Christina’s relationship with Walton, and her later relationship with Al, there is tension building for the reader until the resolution of the matters being discussed. The author very skillfully interjects drama into the common interactions and experiences.

There is drama in events such as: the visit to the doctor: will Walton return: will she be able to get an education; the trip to the city: will Al leave her: and so on. There is drama in just wondering what will happen to Christina next, how she deal with it, and what is to come?

There is drama in Christina’s life due to the fact that in spite of her ability she is denied further education and the fulfillment of her dreams. In spite of her disabilities she is expected to take care of everyone but herself. Her relationship with Walton was her bright spot and through him she could have realized more of a life. Walton kept her hanging with the implied promise that they would have a life together. It was heartbreaking when he let her down and she knew that her life would continue as it was

I don’t think there was much drama. I kept reading and reading, waiting for something to happen, and nothing ever did, except for a lot of farm work and drudgery.