“Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” - book for Dec. 2008

Clare County Library's Online Bookclub for booklovers everywhere

Moderators: Clare Bookclub Mod, Clare Books Mod

Post Reply
Clare Bookclub Mod
Posts: 95
Joined: Tue Mar 27, 2007 12:28 pm

“Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close” - book for Dec. 2008

Post by Clare Bookclub Mod » Fri Nov 28, 2008 12:46 pm

Written by New York writer Jonathan Safran Foer, this novel was one of the first to deal with the terrorist attacks of September 11th.

The main character is Oskar Schell, a nine-year-old inventor, Francophile, Shakespearean actor and pacifist. His father, whom he worshiped, died in the World Trade Centre on 9/11. Oskar discovers a key in a vase that belonged to his father and which is mysteriously labeled "Black." So he goes searching for the lock that fits the key, visiting everyone in the phone book with the surname Black. Oskar is both endearing and exasperating as he searches all over New York, dreaming up inventions along the way to keep those he loves safe from harm.

The book includes photographs and unusual type settings, spaces and blank pages that give the book an interesting visual dimension. It ends with a heartbreaking flip book, created from Lyle Owerko's photo of the Falling Man, making the man who had jumped from the World Trade Center appear as though he is falling up.

Foer is one of the most original writers of his generation and this narrative is beautiful, humorous and tender.

Post Reply