Living Life through Writing

I must admit, 'A Bird in the House," is not my favorite book. However, I admire Laurence's ability to fluidly write in Vanessa's different ages. It is hard for me to discern whether Vanessa is eight, or whether she is eighteen. Laurence's writing is a train of thought that is traceable throughout all of Vanessa's life.

My favorite chapter is "Horses of the Night." Vanessa lives a privileged life, and is often shielded from the Great Depression. However, this chapter hits the essence of this time period, a time when many people lived in squalor and had no foreseeable future. Although Chris is not the main character of the novel, I find him to be the most intriguing. He is an optimistic man who loses everything when he loses his chance to be educated. He then goes mentally insane when fighting during the war and is kept in a mental institution for the rest of his life. Although sad, I like that Laurence incorporates a bit of reality into her novel. I often found myself becoming angry due to Vanessa's fairytale-like lifestyle when many suffered during the economic crisis. Although upsetting, Chris is a refreshing burst of life whose character epitomizes the mentality of many during that time.

"A Bird in the House" does not inspire me, but Laurence's writing technique does impress me. She is able to float betweeen different times, and she subtly exposes different lifestyles and experiences through side characters.