I Have Lost My Way.

Dear reader,

I Have Lost My Way by Gayle Forman is one of the best books I have ever read. 

If you remember my last post, I discussed a good example of constant perspective switching. This book does it even better. Even with one sentence, the reader can always tell who the book has switched to, with no indication. Each character’s voice is apparent in the way they think, their phrasing, word choice, use of italics, everything. Some perspective switches only last one sentence before it changes again, and yet, for that one sentence, it is obvious who is thinking. It’s also nice from a visual aspect: three centered dashes indicate a change, and they are thin enough so as not to draw attention and break the flow of reading.

The book also switches between first and third person. Simply put, the actions that take place in the present are told in limited third person with frequent switches, while flashbacks, memories, and other character backstories are told in first person with few switches. In addition, there are gray borders on the pages told in first person, adding to the dreamlike atmosphere in each flashback.

This book is about found love. Found family. This book is three kids bumping into each other out of complete chance and finding solace. Every day every single one has felt alone and when they find each other they are no longer alone and it’s too much, it’s all too much. I could never express to you in words how beautiful this is, which is ironic because I’m trying to anyways and that’s an overused phrase that has lost its meaning but you have to believe me. I can’t stay in a formal tone for this. This book made me feel things, deep seated things, it’s just--I can’t, I’ve been losing words for the past two weeks and I no longer have the ability to take what is inside me and spin it into words for you. I just can’t. I don’t have enough words and letters and sentences to form into what this book has created.

With love, pain, and nameless emotions,

Emily.

 

Comments

  1. Aryan SApril 14, 2021 at 5:18 PM

    This was a really descriptive post about how a book can master the use of different perspectives to tell a story as realistically as possible. The way that you described some of your emotions after reading the book made your readers able to fully experience how this book affects you as a person.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnnieApril 16, 2021 at 7:59 PM

    I really like how in depth you went into the skill of the author in making the perspectives in writing, distinct from each other and how even the little things like and bordering can make such a difference. I also like how you talk about how much the author does with perspectives, mentioning flash backs, memories and more. Overall, this was a pretty good post.

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  3. Coleman C.April 17, 2021 at 10:33 PM

    This sounds like a really interesting and amazing book. I love how it not only uses different perspectives at different times, but makes it really easy to read. Using dashes and borders is a great way to help the reader understand the change. I also like that you made it clear that the perspective switches and more aren't gimmicks, but that they back up an already great story making it even better. Almost as if it were a fusion of a great plot and amazing use of visual or writing tricks.

    ReplyDelete

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