FCA's
1. Identify a position (5)2. Explain your criteria, application, reasoning for your position with quoted evidence as support. Please indicate the page number of your quote in parenthesis following the quote. (10)
3. Explain the position of the opposition and provide counterargument. (10)
I hate reading. I hate everything about it. But personal preferences don't mean anything in high school, leaving me with no choice but to read Life As We Knew It by Susan Pfeffer. Allow me to clarify, I'm not necessarily a bad reader; I just don't like the way books have the power to completely detach you from your surrounding situation, completely altering your awareness of reality. And man did this book hit hard. Life As We Knew It establishes a solid connection with the reader, bringing out universal themes everyone can relate too. It's also written as an easy read with a realistic plot anyone can follow, appealing to an unlimited audience. On the other hand, some people disagree, stating the novel lacks action. However, Pfeffer provides just enough to keep everyone on their toes with anticipation, creating an even better plot than filling more drama.
Life As We Knew It relates to everyone in every situation, on a global scale. Miranda has a self awareness moment watching the moon one night, realizing it was the same moon Shakespeare, Marie Antoinette, and every other person alive and had ever lived was looking at during that moment, (Pfeffer). Even though Miranda lives in a small town, everyone in the entire world is going through the same situation. It'a an almost cliche idea, but Pfeffer uses it perfectly, reviving the meaning underneath. In addition, it touches on feelings of losing loved ones and not having any control over it, or any way to change it. "I hate a world where things that have absolutely nothing to do with me can destroy my life,"(Pfeffer)
It never felt as if I was reading Life As We Knew It, it felt as if I was living it.The writing is in such a way that feels so realistic, it's almost impossible not to feel as if it were truly happening. After a long reading session, I walked to the window only to see the sun shining, that the world wasn't ending. It was just one of those indescribable reality checks, and Pfeffer deserves props for that. Also, the actual writing is done so well that you don't want to stop reading. The journal entry format and colloquial style of Miranda make the book feel like it's going by so fast. You can almost feel time passing. A friendly atmosphere is created too, making it like a conversation with Miranda, a personal connection between the narrator and the reader. This book is good, but every good thing has a critic.
Some argue action determines a novel's success, and Life As We Knew It lacks such success. However, adding too much action just for the sake of enjoyment takes away from the purpose. Event after event, when done properly, can create a fast paced and action filled atmosphere. However, under Pfeffer's circumstances, adding action for the sake of action takes away from the bigger picture. The drama turns into "fluff", and the plot loses its value. Pfeffer includes just enough to build anticipation without losing the true meaning.
Life As We Knew It can impact any reader, in any part of the world. In conclusion, I'd recommend it to anyone. Though everyone has their own opinions and standards, this book has the ability to please any picky reader. I can testify to that. Both the writing style and the content are perfectly strung together, giving the book credibility on more than one level. All in all, Life As We Knew It changed my life as I knew it, and I can say it's only been for the good.
