"Just Listen" by Sarah Dessen Essay Example
****this is more of a journal than a book report***
Response Journal #4: Just Listen By Sarah Dessen
From Pages 296 to 371
I thought that this last quarter of the novel, Just Listen by Sarah Dessen, was a real disappointment, in my opinion. First of all, when Annabel and Owen parted ways for such along time, I was very disappointed. Then, on top of that, the ending was a cliché, because it was too corny and too much of a happy ending. Anyway, since I finished reading this novel, I have to say that it was well written, in exception to the ending, of course. Within this section I had many quotes that I thought were phenomenal. Some examples would be the following: "As he leaned in to kiss me, I closed my eyes and saw not the flat black of the dark but something else. Something Brighter, closer to light, shining small but ever steady. More then enough to go on as a part of me pushing up and out, finally, to meet it there." (Page 363, Last paragraph) This quote is very significant, because it relates to how Annabel mentioned earlier in the novel that the darkness (the lie) is a cover, what hides the light (the truth). When the truth is revealed, Annabel walks into the light, as if the start of a better and brighter future. Another quote I absolutely adored was the following: "I am still the center sister. But I see it differently now. There has to be a middle. Without it, nothing can truly be whole. Because it is not just the space between, but also what holds everything together.'" (Page 333, Fifth paragraph) This was said by Whitney, and it also relates to an earlier portion in the book; when Owen showed Annabel that there always has to be a middle, because everything will fall apart if there isn't. Now I wonder what my "center" sister thinks when she sees herself as being the "shade of grey" within the family.
Apart from the portions I enjoyed, there were some I just didn't understand. For example, "God,' she said. Poor Sophie.' I know. Can you
Response Journal #4: Just Listen By Sarah Dessen
From Pages 296 to 371
I thought that this last quarter of the novel, Just Listen by Sarah Dessen, was a real disappointment, in my opinion. First of all, when Annabel and Owen parted ways for such along time, I was very disappointed. Then, on top of that, the ending was a cliché, because it was too corny and too much of a happy ending. Anyway, since I finished reading this novel, I have to say that it was well written, in exception to the ending, of course. Within this section I had many quotes that I thought were phenomenal. Some examples would be the following: "As he leaned in to kiss me, I closed my eyes and saw not the flat black of the dark but something else. Something Brighter, closer to light, shining small but ever steady. More then enough to go on as a part of me pushing up and out, finally, to meet it there." (Page 363, Last paragraph) This quote is very significant, because it relates to how Annabel mentioned earlier in the novel that the darkness (the lie) is a cover, what hides the light (the truth). When the truth is revealed, Annabel walks into the light, as if the start of a better and brighter future. Another quote I absolutely adored was the following: "I am still the center sister. But I see it differently now. There has to be a middle. Without it, nothing can truly be whole. Because it is not just the space between, but also what holds everything together.'" (Page 333, Fifth paragraph) This was said by Whitney, and it also relates to an earlier portion in the book; when Owen showed Annabel that there always has to be a middle, because everything will fall apart if there isn't. Now I wonder what my "center" sister thinks when she sees herself as being the "shade of grey" within the family.
Apart from the portions I enjoyed, there were some I just didn't understand. For example, "God,' she said. Poor Sophie.' I know. Can you