As of today I am about 25 pages into “Animal Dreams” By Barbara Kingsolver. As a result of asking Mr Knuth for a book relating to self-actualization he sent me in this direction, and I must say I am fairly impressed (at least to this point). Through these pages I have learned to adore Kingsolver's unbelievable word choice and vivid description that adds so much depth and emotion to the story line.
Reading up to chapter 4, I have met a variety of characters in this novel including Dr. Homero Noline and his 2 daughters, Cosima and Halimeda. By meeting this family you realize that the motherly figure is not present, however Homero cares for his children enough for him and the missing figure.
After chapter 1 there is a rather awkward jump, in my opinion, from thoughts. The two girls were so youthful, naive and vulnerable at the end of chapter one and now they are now 'renewed' characters whom had moved away from where they had grown up. The sisters and Carlo, Codi's boyfriend, lived together in Tucson where Hallie was a 7-11 clerk.
Doctor Homer was sick so this resulted in Codi returning home,to Grace, a place she hadn't been since she graduated from high school. Here Codi plans on living with an old high school friend and teaching at the local high school in order to assist her ill father.
In chapter 3 the father, doctor Homer, dreams a terrifying dream when he loses his daughters (momentarily) as they are out gathering fruit during a huge flood. This "dream" was caused by a memory of his, when the girls were stranded on the other side of the bank while trying to save coyote pups.
So, yes, these are the main points thus far. I'm sorry if this seemed to just be jibberish or rambling but i haven't really dug deep enough to notice any self actualization in any of the characters. Aka if you got this far in reading this, i am HIGHLY impressed.
Here come more simple thoughts. Not only do i love the word choice and description of this novel but i am intrigued by how the book is set up. Before every chapter is a name of a character, saying who's point of view you are reading about. Up to now i have read from 2 points of view, Cosima and Homero. I feel like this truly does add a lot to the story by showing emotion and hidden feelings of two completely different angles of two different people.
Overall i am interested in "Animal Dreams" thus far, and for me that's monumental since i have never enjoyed a "forced read"! I can't wait to continue to read and look more into the vivid description and thoughts of these 2 characters, Homero and Cosima. I feel that this book has potential to become a story that could change the way I look at things in the world. While reading to find self actualization in characters, i would love to take away something about myself as a part of something bigger with the guidance of this novel
well until next time (is that too tacky?) whatever anything goes. :)
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