This is one of those books that I have been meaning to read forever and just never quite got around to it. I am glad I was given this opportunity. I listened to the book in the car. Since I commute an hour a day and more on Mondays it seemed like a good idea. Lavar Burton narrated the book. You probably know him as the blind character Jordy from Star Trek: The Next Generation. He also hosts The Reading Rainbow on PBS. Anyway, He did a wonderful job with this novel. His acting ability really brought the characters to life. I enjoyed listening to the story very much.
Of course, the narrator's voice isn't the only thing I enjoyed. The way this story is woven is incredible. The Watsons live in Michigan. They have three children. The mother of the family grew up in Alabama but, has not been home in 10 years. Thus, even though the family is aware of the civil rights movement and understand its importance, they have not experienced it first hand.
For most of the book we are allowed to get to know the family. They are all likable. Even the oldest son, who is a bit of a bully, has his redeeming qualities. There is a lot of humor in the book. The reader is given many chances to see the personalities of each character in a variety of situations. The family is just like any other family and we feel connected to them.
The fact that we, the reader, get to know the family so well makes the second half of the story all that much more devastating. We are almost as surprised by the church bomb as the Watsons themselves. In fact when I read the part where the explosion is heard I didn't think of what it could be right away either. The reactions by each family member to this horrific tragedy are moving.
The way in which Curtis has constructed this story makes it a much more personal experience for the reader. We have studied the Civil Rights movement in school. But, some how we are separated from it. Much like the Watsons were separated from it by geography. Because we are walked through this families experience and have the chance to understand them we feel it in a much more personal way.
I am glad I finally read this book.
Thursday, April 5, 2007
The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963 By: Christopher Paul Curtis
This is one of those books that I have been meaning to read forever and just never quite got around to it. I am glad I was given this opportunity. I listened to the book in the car. Since I commute an hour a day and more on Mondays it seemed like a good idea. Lavar Burton narrated the book. You probably know him as the blind character Jordy from Star Trek: The Next Generation. He also hosts The Reading Rainbow on PBS. Anyway, He did a wonderful job with this novel. His acting ability really brought the characters to life. I enjoyed listening to the story very much.
Of course, the narrator's voice isn't the only thing I enjoyed. The way this story is woven is incredible. The Watsons live in Michigan. They have three children. The mother of the family grew up in Alabama but, has not been home in 10 years. Thus, even though the family is aware of the civil rights movement and understand its importance, they have not experienced it first hand.
For most of the book we are allowed to get to know the family. They are all likable. Even the oldest son, who is a bit of a bully, has his redeeming qualities. There is a lot of humor in the book. The reader is given many chances to see the personalities of each character in a variety of situations. The family is just like any other family and we feel connected to them.
The fact that we, the reader, get to know the family so well makes the second half of the story all that much more devastating. We are almost as surprised by the church bomb as the Watsons themselves. In fact when I read the part where the explosion is heard I didn't think of what it could be right away either. The reactions by each family member to this horrific tragedy are moving.
The way in which Curtis has constructed this story makes it a much more personal experience for the reader. We have studied the Civil Rights movement in school. But, some how we are separated from it. Much like the Watsons were separated from it by geography. Because we are walked through this families experience and have the chance to understand them we feel it in a much more personal way.
I am glad I finally read this book.
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