The Boy in the Moon

I arrived in East York via subway expecting a routine community service trip. Typically, the RSGC crowd arrives to compile the necessary hours, feigns interest and compassion, and leaves without being profoundly impacted. L'Arche was completely different, and ten colleagues and I left the chapel into the blustery November night having been emotionally touched. Everything suddenly seemed clearer, the music was louder, and I was grateful for every opportunity I presently had. There were no hokey, contrived scenarios created for us, but a brief video on the heroic Jean Vanier and a weekly, informal chapel service for the inhabitants of the home provided us with a unique and heartwarming experience. What struck me was the lack of self-pity the mentally disabled individuals had. Nearly every community member contributed to prayers by wishing well for their parents, or for a peer who was preparing to undergo surgery. I felt experiences with the mentally disabled would be impossible to describe in words, but Ian Brown's piercing novel The Boy in the Moon does just that, making for a thought provoking and compelling read.

Brown makes very interesting observations of L'Arche communities in Montreal and France. He arrives under full knowledge that Walker is far too young for the exclusively adult environment, and notes the gargantuan waiting list. Skepticism seems to be the tone throughout most of chapter eleven, yet Brown emerges impressed and impacted by L'Arche.

"Surrounded for the first time in my life by intellectually disabled adults I had only just met, I suddenly realized I didn't feel nervous." (190) In the company of members of the L'Arche community, Brown is surprised to feel comfortable. He is also impressed by how well the church service functions and quickly agrees that Vanier's concept of giving the disabled a place of their own "was an idea I thought I could get behind." (196)

The peace in the L'Arche environment is almost overwhelming for Brown at times, which gives him a positive impression of what life would be like for Walker. "Had they been smoking kindness?" (197) Additionally, for several pages, he is in awe of some of the ideas presented by Vanier. Once Brown opens up to discuss means of communication with Walker, Vanier asks a profound question to which Brown reveals "I stared at him. I had no answer." (208) Although Brown can never fully wrap his head around the unique aspects of L'Arche, Vanier's thoughts greatly appeal to him. Ultimately, he learns from the disabled individuals in the same manner as he does from Walker, and mentions that "they reminded me not to be ashamed." (219)

When my family owned a house in Maryland, one of our family friends had a mentally disabled son, who came to visit us quite often. I could only build a vague idea of the situation at hand. Ian Brown spares no details in the memoirs, and these helped me to understand what life with a profoundly disabled child would be like.

Having to endure life with Walker constantly taxed Ian Brown and the rest of his family. The boy poses many difficulties that one would never dream of. In the first few pages of the novel, Brown describes Walker punching himself in the head, having to feed him through an IV stand, the process of changing diapers, and the bottle ritual. The endless work Brown needed to perform to ensure the safety of an eight-year old boy was unimaginably trying and required incredible commitment. He was also forced to deal with a difficult question: "What is the value of a life like his- a life lived in the twilight, and often in pain?" (3) In what I felt was far and away the most eye-opening and disturbing scene of the novel, Ian and Johanna discuss tests that reveal potential defects. "'If there'd been a test when I was pregnant that revealed what Walker's life would have been like, I would have had the abortion.'" (181) The mere concept that Walker's parents will never know what goes through his mind, or what their lives would have been like without him is shocking.

1) If Walker were to be fully functional for ten minutes, what would be one question you would ask him?

2) What regrets do you have in the manner that you raised Walker?

3) Without the presence of Walker, do you think that Hayley's life would have been better and more fulfilling?

Chillingly Good

This past December, I read "Dead Cold," a highly engrossing crime fiction novel written by the talented Louise Penny. The story boasted an intriguing plot, entertaining characters, and a classic whodunit style that many critics claimed to resemble the form of Agatha Christie. In this blog entry, I will comment on the character development, motivation, and use of humour in "Dead Cold."

"Calm was not a word anyone would apply to CC de Poitiers, despite her placid, frozen exterior." (3) Penny takes an interesting approach to the description of the featured antagonist in Three Pines. Not only does CC possess the usual cruelty, she is physically daunting and highly unlikable.

"For Ruth Zardo, dull was one of the greatest insults. It ranked right up there with kind and nice." (97) This quotation summarizes Ruth's bold personality, and conveys her eccentric manner and cynical mindset. Ironically, she acts as a capable firefighter for the village, and provides invaluable emergency assistance in the fire at Saul Petrov's estate and of course, in the death of CC de Poitiers.

"But while Clara knew (replacing the old windows) was the sensible thing to do, most of her decisions weren't really sensible. But they suited her life." (9) Clara Morrow is a talented artist and kind person, but she underestimates her own poise and abilities. She lacks proper self-confidence, clings to unrealistic dreams, and acts helpless when dealing with everyday decisions.

"His body spoke of meals enjoyed and a life of long walks rather than contact sports." (66) Immediately, the reader is aware of Gamache's grace. This simplistic sentence gives us a great understanding of his physique, and provides an early glimpse of the detective's professionalism.

Without uttering a single word in "Dead Cold," Crie decidedly emerges as the most powerful character. The obese, unwanted, somber, yet brilliant girl is not someone you would expect to methodically plan a murder, but motivation is what carries her through life. Unfortunately, she deeply craves respect from her incapable mother CC and strives to gain respect from peers.

"The other girls' mothers had helped them, but Crie had done her own. To surprise Mommy, she'd told herself, trying to drown out the other voice." (8) This quotation shows that Crie went out of her way to make her snowball costume, persistent in hopes of finally impressing her mother. However, her continued hope begins to backfire. Eventually, Crie briefly displays a previously unknown vocal talent, but is scorned by her mother in front of the entire village.

"'Everyone was staring at you. You humiliated me... Are you crazy, Crie? Is that it? Is that it?'" (49) Once Crie realized her desire to receive some form of love from her mother would never be founded, she likely constructed her plans for murder, and did so with brilliance extending past her "Straight A" grades.

"'You're wrong there,' said Ruth, following Myrna's gaze. 'This used to be my drug of choice. In my teens my drug of choice was acceptance, in my twenties it was approval, in my thirties it was love, in my forties it was Scotch. That lasted a while,' she admitted. 'Now all I really crave is a good bowel movement." (55) In the midst of a natural conversation, Penny incorporated a great deal of humour, making a common situation entertaining for readers. The comedic elements of "Dead Cold" are never forced, which allows for a more realistic and enjoyable read.

"Toss a toaster into your spouse's bath these days and all you'll get is a blown fuse, a ruined appliance and a very pissed-off sweetheart." (77) While Gamache peruses evidence, Penny prevents monotony by engaging readers with hilarious imagery that incorporates electrocution, and this bright moment sets the tone for the breathtaking mystery "Dead Cold."

By Nick Medline

The Cold Dish- Craig Johnson

"Revenge is a dish best served cold." - Les Liaisons Dangereuses

I chose to read The Cold Dish by Craig Johnson for my crime fiction novel assignment. Despite having the opportunity to select books from a number of acclaimed Canadian authors, I was intrigued by the midwestern setting of The Cold Dish, as it was something out of the ordinary. In an interview with mystery novelist Julia Buckley, when asked about the large amount of humour in his novels, Johnson replied "I'm a whore for laughs." Despite the intense subject matter, the cleverly painted characters and liberal use of humour made The Cold Dish a brisk and enjoyable read.

In Absaroka County, Wyoming, sheriff Walt Longmire is forced to deal with the apparent murder of Cody Pritchard, a teenager formerly convicted of raping a Native American girl with fetal alcohol syndrome. Longmire, youthful deputy Victoria Moretti, and the stoic yet powerful Henry Standing Bear each contribute in the quest to track down the murderer and restore justice to the small town. Despite the lack of sympathy towards the young criminal, Longmire has an uncanny ability to remain focused on the case. With an exciting main character, a series of unconventional clues, and memorable quotes on the part of Johnson, The Cold Dish is a remarkable literary achievement.

Walt Longmire is anything but the typical detective. Unlike many classic mystery novels, The Cold Dish is primarily a character-driven novel. This process begins with the likability of Longmire. He is never portrayed as a hero, but is an excellent example of the average man. Walt weights 255 pounds, lives in a rundown home, has trouble dealing with his daughter and wants to change his external appearance in any way possible. Rather than mourning his wife Martha's passing (three years before the story takes place), he jokes about her negative characteristics on multiple occasions. His many insecurities and flaws are evident, but Longmire exudes a sense of normality, which makes readers feel for him.

When individuals express their dislike of crime fiction, they usually cite dull and tedious situations. Longmire's various experiences with the opposite sex and his witty exchanges with his good friend Henry would make any mystery doubter re-assess their thoughts. Not long after Longmire handles the case, he will subject to re-election for his current position. Although he is under pressure to perform, he maintains his composure (possibly due to a near endless supply of coffee) and is inquisitive, thoughtful, and unbiased when approaching the case. The Cold Dish has a relatively flawed plot, but this was difficult to notice as the character of Longmire was entertaining at every turn.

The Cold Dish is a classic whodunit, but there are few clues that lead us to the identity of the killer. Longmire relies heavily on his partners and his instinct to eliminate the possibility of suspects. After the murder of Pritchard, a series of ballistics observations indicate the type of gun (rifle) and bullet (.45-70). These observations lead to Longmire's realization that the shooting took place from approximately four hundred yards away. He visits a local weaponry expert, who presents a short list of individuals capable of making the shot.

Longmire is simply an average sheriff. While the reader learns about his spiritual encounters and personal life, he designates most of the work to his subjects. He files through several lab analyses, but at some points, he feels as if the sparse clues will never amount to a solution. Fortunately, in between the pints of beer and cups of coffee, Longmire's hard work ultimately pays off. One of the few revealing clues is an eagle feather left at the crime scene, which is known to be a Native American symbol of revenge. However, Longmire finds that the eagle feather is inauthentic, which prompts him to rule out many of the Native American suspects. After he finds all the suspects are not guilty of the offense, Walt and Moretti are prepared to throw in the towel.

As Longmire prepares to leave, he mentions a container of bullets in the passenger seat of his car, assuming that Moretti had placed them there. Moretti insists that this was not the case, leaving Longmire dumbfounded. He and Henry Standing Bear think over the situation, and they are shocked to discover the unlikely criminal. As mentioned earlier in the blog, this is a character-driven mystery, not entirely focused on presenting a wide array of clues. Johnson is still able to give The Cold Dish a twist ending and mysterious feel.

"Yea, verily, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will live forever. If I don't, I sure as hell won't become an unattended death in the state of Wyoming with sheep shit all over me." (26)

This passage was humorous and remarkably appealing. Johnson is the first author I've read who can incorporate Biblical references and humour in the same paragraph. Longmire has recently observed Pritchard's dead body, and comments on his fall from grace. Longmire despises Pritchard, but as sheriff, he can't help but feel sympathetic regarding his sorry state.

"It looked like a heated conversation going on in the truck out front, and I thought about my child. I don't know how you get them to make the right choices, how you keep them from ending up like the two-parent pileup that was sitting in my office." (94)

This passage is appealing because Longmire sheds a light on the horrors of justice. He is speaking to Bryan Keller (one of the young men guilty of the aforementioned rape) and asks him whether he communicated with Pritchard before his death. Longmire is still haunted by this case, but can't help but think of the difficulties of parenting when talking to Bryan. Longmire doesn't believe Bryan was guilty, and pities the horrible turn his life has taken.

"The bullet had shattered the clavicle, passed through the muscle and tendons of the shoulder, and had exited through the blade, taking most of it as it went. The tissue damage was tremendous, and it was unlikely that George's arm would ever operate properly again. His pulse was weak and rapid, his breathing was shallow, and it seemed as if he was doing everything possible to lower my odds below fifty-fifty." (329)

This passage appeals to me because it shows off Johnson's abilities as a writer. Over the course of the novel, his prose greatly impressed me. The descriptions are realistic and occasionally graphic, making it clear that Johnson has the ability to become a force in the literary genre of crime fiction.

Ted Kennedy Eulogy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH9yYwM2pN8&feature=related

1) Describe how multimedia enhances the eulogy. Consider still and moving images as well as text.

The multimedia utilized in Obama's eulogy for Senator Ted Kennedy was very useful and effective. Over the course of the fifteen-minute presentation, there were just a few images and videos shown. Nonetheless, they were used in appropriate places and brought Kennedy to life. Aside from some humorous moments, the greatest moment was the video of Kennedy sailing away peacefully. This cleverly symbolized Kennedy's continuing journey and left the audience in a good state of mind.

2) Comment on Ted Kennedy's attitude to service. Provide examples.

Kennedy was extremely committed to improving the lives of American people. An example of Kennedy's diligence is the large number of laws that he managed to pass (approximately three hundred by him alone) and his endless pursuit of universal health care. Obama commented on Kennedy truly caring for people. He said that Kennedy personally called each of the one hundred and seventy-seven families that lost someone to the 9/11 attacks and how Kennedy continuously followed up and ensured they received the proper grief counseling.

3) Comment on the effective use of rhetoric and diction in Obama's speech.

One of the most important elements of any eulogy is the speaker's ability to contrast humour and seriousness. Obama, a very experienced speaker, does a superb job of this. He begins by somberly discussing some of Kennedy's achievements and successes in life, but without missing a beat, hilariously describes Kennedy offering a Texas Committee Chairman his favorite cigars in hopes of passing an immigration bill. Obama also specifically alludes to many past events to add authenticity to his speech. As an individual and president known for his speaking ability, Obama's diction is noteworthy and he avoids being overly repetitive at all costs.

Siddhartha- Herman Hesse

This past summer, I read the novel Siddhartha, which was written by Nobel Prize-winning author Hermann Hesse. Siddhartha, the Brahmin's son, is a very talented and blessed young man, but struggles in his pursuit of greater knowledge and inner peace. After much deliberation, Siddhartha and his loyal friend Govinda join a group of samanas and leave all pleasures behind. After years of suffering, the two colleagues encounter the Buddha and listen to his teachings. Siddhartha is wildly impressed but still lacks the faith that the Buddha's teachings will give him ultimate satisfaction. He departs on a different journey while Govinda stays behind. Siddhartha eventually settles into a new life of riches and becomes acquainted with Kamaswami, a wealthy merchant, and Kamala, a beautiful courtesan. He soon realizes the folly of his ways and considers committing suicide, but suddenly hears "Om," the sound of perfection. Siddhartha chooses to live with Vasudeva, a simple ferryman, and dies peacefully in the presence of Govinda.

Hesse manages to keep Siddhartha flowing through his impressive yet crisp vocabulary choices. The descriptions of the protagonist's thoughts are lengthy and complex, but never overbearing. Hesse shows the growth of Siddhartha from a young, restless adolescent into a peaceful old man. Siddhartha goes through many trials and Hesse clearly conveys his message that one must go through several trials and experiences before attaining peace and contentment. Govinda also grows throughout the novel as he emerges from Siddhartha's shadow and lives a happy life of his own. The development of each character is very realistic, and makes the character-driven novel an enjoyable read. An interesting element of Siddhartha is that dialogue is seldom used. In the Ancient India described in the book, individuals rarely spoke unless they had something important to say. It was only suitable for Hesse to save dialogue for important situations. When utilized, the dialogue fits in seamlessly and adds dimensions to characters.

There are three passages in Siddhartha that I found particularly interesting:

"Although Siddhartha fled from the Self a thousand times, dwelt in nothing, dwelt in animal and stone, the return was inevitable; the hour was inevitable when he would again find himself, in sunshine or in moonlight, in shadow or in rain, and was again Self and Siddhartha, again felt the torment of the onerous life cycle." (16) This quotation captures the despair felt by Siddhartha. It shows that this experience with the ascetics will be valuable, but will never grant him true peace. At this stage, I couldn't help but feel that Siddhartha needed to accept the world and believed that even though he gave up worldly pleasures, he still displayed selfishness in a hopeless quest.

"It seemed to him that he had spent his life in a worthless and senseless manner; he retained nothing vital, nothing in any way precious or worth while. He stood alone, like a shipwrecked man on the shore." (82) This quotation is perfectly written, which gives it great appeal. Siddhartha was once content with hoarding riches, but will not cease to search for perfection.

"Knowledge can be communicated, but not wisdom." (142) Govinda has once again returned to Siddhartha's side, and he inquires as to whether Siddhartha has created a doctrine. Siddhartha, now at peace, delivers this thought-provoking statement. This gives us the impression that his journey has reached its conclusion.