Elsewhere: Mini Blog
I think the author in the book Elsewhere, the writer Gabrielle Zevin chose to write about this book because of the fact she wanted to entertain her readers. Yes that is common for all books, but hers is more of a twist. It is about a 15 year old girl named Liz who gets hit by a car and realizes that she has died. The character, Liz, does NOT seem to care very much after the emotional few minutes of apprehending that she is in fact "alive" in the after life. How can I say this? Because in the back of the book, it explains why the author choose this story, and if she really even cares about the after life, which she sates that she could careless.
As Gabrielle( Gaby for short) explains in her story, about Liz. The writer herself seems to show no regard what so ever about being dead or moving on. Unlike the character, who seems to not care at first , then worry, and then have no emotion. It shows that the writer must of tried to see death in a new way, or lets just say experience. In the story at one part Liz explains once she finds out she is dead
" Liz sits down and gasps for air." How can you be so happy when we're....?""(pg39)
At first she has a hysterical scene but then she is calm enough to know in brief that she will NOT at all return to earth. I would suspect a writer to make the task of being dead seem unbearable and hopeless. Not at all in the case she has written the book. The writers laid back feelings show through the pages.
As Gabrielle( Gaby for short) explains in her story, about Liz. The writer herself seems to show no regard what so ever about being dead or moving on. Unlike the character, who seems to not care at first , then worry, and then have no emotion. It shows that the writer must of tried to see death in a new way, or lets just say experience. In the story at one part Liz explains once she finds out she is dead
" Liz sits down and gasps for air." How can you be so happy when we're....?""(pg39)
At first she has a hysterical scene but then she is calm enough to know in brief that she will NOT at all return to earth. I would suspect a writer to make the task of being dead seem unbearable and hopeless. Not at all in the case she has written the book. The writers laid back feelings show through the pages.
But it seems as if the writer was using creative ideas such as this too hook the reader as to seeing what it feels like to know your 15 and dead. As the story progresses you see a huge change in Liz's emotions and assessment of being deceased. On top of that, she seems to be upset more about her prom and what her friends are thinking than about what she needs to do.
" In this book, I'd say Lucy the pug. Like me she does not really care about the afterlife, so long as it has things to eat, nap and the people she loves"(page 284)
She, like the dig does not stress very much. Therefore she has a much easier take on things and does not stress out and over a lot. In the end the book seems more for recreational fun and some fun way of viewing the after life. Not in positive or negative way.
The ending tore me apart though, even for someone who does NOT care about dying or the afterlife, Gabriella Zevin really gets to the heart. I cried the first time reading it, and the second time I held tears back. After all it's just book. But her story really changed my perspective on death. And honestly if it wasn't for this book, I would not be here. I read it for the first time in 8th grade when I was suicidal. To read and hear about life and death, I realized dying at a young age would make me and my family more depressed. Therefore leaving me with more regrets. I don't think this book really is recommended for anyone under the age of 15 because it does involve some sexual content and is a bit descriptive.
Overall I recommend this book to anyone who has the soul to read about heartbreak, death, and loss.
