This book was both dry and interesting at the same time. I liked the story (which is a true story) and it had me thinking a lot about secrets and hiding things. I also liked learning how to track down information and have a lot of respect for Steve Luxembourg going through all that trouble. On the other hand, I think he went into too much detail about looking for the information. In short, the book could have been much shorter and still kept the story intact. I'm glad I read it, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to someone else. Especially since you don't really learn much about Annie by the end.
I agree - dry and interesting at the same time. It brought back memories of things I have experienced. I recall going to two institutions with the high school choir to sing Christmas carols. Our teacher told us "no matter what they do, don't stare and just keep singing". And, yes, some of the audience did do some weird things.
I remember when the "insane asylums" of Vermont were almost completely emptied out and the state had to find ways to deal with these people who were on the streets with no jobs or homes. Group homes were established for many of them and many were placed in foster homes. There still were some obviously mentally challenged people still wandering the streets.
In a small way I understood Beth's reluctance to talk about her sister. I had a baby born hydrocypholic who we had to place in a hospital because we were not able to properly care for her. She was not expected to live beyond 3 months but did live 1-1/2 years. When people asked about our children, how many we had, I would most often exclude her because it was easier to do that than to explain her condition and where she was and why. In a way she was a secret, not because we were ashamed of her but because it was too sad to talk about her.
I visited my daughter when she was stationed at Ft Lewis and she lived in Tacoma Washington. It must have been interesting for you, Melissa, to read about the places in Michigan where the story took place.
I had hoped, with the author, that a picture of Annie could have been found.
2 comments:
This book was both dry and interesting at the same time. I liked the story (which is a true story) and it had me thinking a lot about secrets and hiding things. I also liked learning how to track down information and have a lot of respect for Steve Luxembourg going through all that trouble. On the other hand, I think he went into too much detail about looking for the information. In short, the book could have been much shorter and still kept the story intact. I'm glad I read it, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to someone else. Especially since you don't really learn much about Annie by the end.
I agree - dry and interesting at the same time. It brought back memories of things I have experienced. I recall going to two institutions with the high school choir to sing Christmas carols. Our teacher told us "no matter what they do, don't stare and just keep singing". And, yes, some of the audience did do some weird things.
I remember when the "insane asylums" of Vermont were almost completely emptied out and the state had to find ways to deal with these people who were on the streets with no jobs or homes. Group homes were established for many of them and many were placed in foster homes. There still were some obviously mentally challenged people still wandering the streets.
In a small way I understood Beth's reluctance to talk about her sister. I had a baby born hydrocypholic who we had to place in a hospital because we were not able to properly care for her. She was not expected to live beyond 3 months but did live 1-1/2 years. When people asked about our children, how many we had, I would most often exclude her because it was easier to do that than to explain her condition and where she was and why. In a way she was a secret, not because we were ashamed of her but because it was too sad to talk about her.
I visited my daughter when she was stationed at Ft Lewis and she lived in Tacoma Washington. It must have been interesting for you, Melissa, to read about the places in Michigan where the story took place.
I had hoped, with the author, that a picture of Annie could have been found.
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