How do you think this novel would have been different if various narrators were allowed to contribute rather than seeing the story strictly through Ginny's eyes? Would we have gained a different perspective on Gloria's motives? Brian & Maura's?
Created: 01/16/18
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Interesting reflections on the topic I introduced. Sometimes, I found Ginny's viewpoint rather simplistic & predictable. I would have appreciated hearing more from the less sympathetic characters such as Gloria & Maura. I understood why the author wrote the way he did but also felt like he was not fair to some of the less likable characters.
Join Date: 06/25/14
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By having the narrator be Ginny, the reader is immersed in Ginny's world and mind. I think the writing with this point of view made the novel more interesting, unique and compelling. Other narrators would have diluted the impact of the novel.
Join Date: 04/20/17
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The tone of the book would be different and I would not have gotten to know Ginny to the extent that I did. I think one of the purposes of using Ginny’s voice throughout the book was for the reader to gain a deeper understanding of the autism spectrum (at least Ginny’s place on it) and interacting with someone who is on the spectrum. Other voices, especially Gloria and Crystal with a C, would have been too self-involved to include Ginny and her experiences.
Join Date: 09/30/17
Posts: 59
Although it would have changed the voice of the book, I would have appreciated knowing more about Ginny’s story from the various points of view. For instance, were Ginny’s mental issues simply a result of autism or were they combined with the results of being born to an addicted mother? Other points of view would have added details to her history to provide context for her narrative.
Join Date: 10/16/10
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I think it would have lost its impact. Having the whole story told in Ginny's voice made it much more interesting to me than I think it would have been otherwise.
Join Date: 03/13/12
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I am glad that this book stayed with a consistent point of view. I think chapters of switched narrators would have detracted from this story, and that literary device simply was not needed. The author did an excellent job of conveying the borderline anger and fear of Ginny's adoptive mother as well as the frustrations of other adults when one is unable to elicit the behavior that is desired. Even the birth mother's sarcastic "have a good life' comment at the end helped to convey her anger and lack of true love for Ginny.
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Multiple narrators would have detracted from the story. It would have over-complicated the storyline and likely made Ginny's voice simplistic when compared to the others. She had a black and white way of looking at things and any other speakers would have taken the focus away from her experiences.
Join Date: 09/09/13
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Having Ginny narrate makes the book a success. Not sure of others POV would have been as powerful or interesting. Multiple narrators can cloud the crux of the story. The story is Ginny's and having it unfold through her eyes only makes perfect sense
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