Comments on: Review: Dark Water http://blogs.slj.com/teacozy/2010/11/12/review-dark-water/ by Elizabeth Burns Sat, 18 May 2013 16:15:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Liz B http://blogs.slj.com/teacozy/2010/11/12/review-dark-water/#comment-6424 Liz B Sat, 13 Nov 2010 01:10:58 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/teacozy/?p=940#comment-6424 Angie, I'm really enjoying the real life & online conversations I'm having about this book. I think if Amiel loved Pearl, he wouldn't have risked her life as he did, especially with the firetrucks. And yes, this is such good writing. I keep thinking how I lost track of time on the train, and not knowing where I was when I stopped reading. Margo, now I'm beginning to think I'm not reading it wrong after all -- I'm not supposed to believe Pearl + Amiel 4 Eva. And OMFG, when I was the lone voice in high school saying Romeo & Juliet weren't really in love where were you to have my back!! Pearl is a very believable, real character -- I totally believe in her. Amiel less so, but I think it's because it's Pearl's story and he's not as "real" to her as she thinks. And the fire.... yes. Excellent. I'm glad I read it, glad it got attention, and am enjoying a book that has real discussion. Angie, I’m really enjoying the real life & online conversations I’m having about this book. I think if Amiel loved Pearl, he wouldn’t have risked her life as he did, especially with the firetrucks. And yes, this is such good writing. I keep thinking how I lost track of time on the train, and not knowing where I was when I stopped reading.

Margo, now I’m beginning to think I’m not reading it wrong after all — I’m not supposed to believe Pearl + Amiel 4 Eva. And OMFG, when I was the lone voice in high school saying Romeo & Juliet weren’t really in love where were you to have my back!! Pearl is a very believable, real character — I totally believe in her. Amiel less so, but I think it’s because it’s Pearl’s story and he’s not as “real” to her as she thinks. And the fire…. yes. Excellent. I’m glad I read it, glad it got attention, and am enjoying a book that has real discussion.

]]> By: Margo/fourth musketeer http://blogs.slj.com/teacozy/2010/11/12/review-dark-water/#comment-6390 Margo/fourth musketeer Fri, 12 Nov 2010 19:07:03 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/teacozy/?p=940#comment-6390 I LOVED this book--I read it in one sitting. I was just riveted as you were on the train. But I don't think Pearl was really in love with Amiel--she was infatuated by him, sexually attracted to him, drawn to his mystery and his different background--but to me that's not love, just like Romeo and Juliet weren't really in love. They had just met! But that's OK--Pearl's not a perfect person, but I don't think it lessens the power of the book one bit. Living in Southern California and having gone through fire seasons my whole life probably made the story even more compelling, but I think it's a great read for teens. I felt it deserved its National Book Award nomination. I LOVED this book–I read it in one sitting. I was just riveted as you were on the train. But I don’t think Pearl was really in love with Amiel–she was infatuated by him, sexually attracted to him, drawn to his mystery and his different background–but to me that’s not love, just like Romeo and Juliet weren’t really in love. They had just met! But that’s OK–Pearl’s not a perfect person, but I don’t think it lessens the power of the book one bit. Living in Southern California and having gone through fire seasons my whole life probably made the story even more compelling, but I think it’s a great read for teens. I felt it deserved its National Book Award nomination.

]]> By: Tweets that mention Review: Dark Water « A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy -- Topsy.com http://blogs.slj.com/teacozy/2010/11/12/review-dark-water/#comment-6328 Tweets that mention Review: Dark Water « A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy -- Topsy.com Fri, 12 Nov 2010 13:41:13 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/teacozy/?p=940#comment-6328 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Liz Burns, Brian Vinay and Bruce Price, Rain Q. Rain Q said: Review: Dark Water « A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy http://bit.ly/bv2NUr [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Liz Burns, Brian Vinay and Bruce Price, Rain Q. Rain Q said: Review: Dark Water « A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy http://bit.ly/bv2NUr [...]

]]> By: Angela http://blogs.slj.com/teacozy/2010/11/12/review-dark-water/#comment-6326 Angela Fri, 12 Nov 2010 12:39:05 +0000 http://blogs.slj.com/teacozy/?p=940#comment-6326 If you're a heartless cynic, then so am I. This is a beautifully written story, but it definitely comes across as more one-sided obsession on Pearl's part than true love. I don't think Amiel loved Pearl - I think he's just as scared and frightened as she is, with neither of them capable of making a selfless decision. And you're absolutely right about Pearl's lack of growth at the very end - she regrets what her actions caused, but I don't know if she entirely accepts her responsibility. She says all the right words, but her focus is still so much on herself and justifying her actions. If you’re a heartless cynic, then so am I. This is a beautifully written story, but it definitely comes across as more one-sided obsession on Pearl’s part than true love. I don’t think Amiel loved Pearl – I think he’s just as scared and frightened as she is, with neither of them capable of making a selfless decision. And you’re absolutely right about Pearl’s lack of growth at the very end – she regrets what her actions caused, but I don’t know if she entirely accepts her responsibility. She says all the right words, but her focus is still so much on herself and justifying her actions.

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