book review

This Boys Life Book Review

Author: Tobias Wolff

Review

By:

Alejandro Amado

The title of This Boys Life is in my opinion is very adequate for the book. I think this because the whole memoir is based on the life of Toby Wolff, (Yes, he is the author.) The memoir is funny and suspenseful. The whole memoir is based on Toby and his mother moving from place to place and the challenges that await them. For example in almost the middle of the book Toby’s mother gets married, Toby’s step father is very abusive to Toby, this creates conflict in the book ultimately making it interesting.

The book was written in 1^st person, and is written much like in the style of The Catcher in The Rye, because they both have that same crude writing style, it’s not a bad thing it’s just that type of style. But, personally I enjoyed This Boys Life better because a lot more things happen. This Boys Life takes you through the life of Toby since he was in elementary till high school. As in The Catcher in the Rye the whole book is in a matter of a few days.

I think Toby realizes that he could basically do anything he wants without getting in trouble, or very minor trouble. Toby has mastered the art of disguise, in front of the people he cares for he’s charming, nice, witty, and a lovely child. But, once you turn your back he vandalizing or doing something illegal. I do think Toby will grow up later, but it will take him a while.

My book is all about Toby, and his mother. Toby and his mother have a very close relationship since Toby’s father is not with them. They always have to stick together, this is very evident during the story because when Toby is out of his mothers sights he smokes, drinks, and has the I don’t care about any rules type of attitude. But, when he goes home at the end of the day to his mother, he becomes caring nice and the perfect child. Toby lived with his mother and step father a good part of the book, his abusive step father hit Toby and treated Toby horribly. Toby didn’t mention these things to his mother because he already saw how heart broken she was during the last divorce that he couldn’t let it occur again. He knew if he told all those horrible things they would probably leave his step father.

Lines I love:

“It was an ugly dog. Its short yellow coat was bare in patches, and once eat hung in pennant-like shreds. It had pink, and almost hairless tail.” –Pg. 169

“My Winchester is gone,” I said

“That dog is purebred Weimaraner,” Dwight said, keeping his eyes on the TV.

“I don’t want it. I want my Winchester.”

“Then you’re shit out of luck, because your Winchester is on its way to Seattle.” -Pg. 170

“When we are green, still half-created, we believe that our dreams are rights, that the world is disposed to act in our best interests, and that falling and dying are for quitters.” Pg. 286

I didnt get fish

It was normal Friday evening, I was cruising the coast in search of fish for dinner. I decelerated to my favorite fishing spot, the color of the ocean was a azure turqoise, it was beutfiul. All of the sudden I felt the boat rock from side to side, I quickly grappled a metal pole in order not to fall. After about 30 minutes the rocking seemed to seize.

I wasnt very fastidious about what was going on at the city, so I thought it was just a small quake. Since I didn't have a copious amount of fish I set my line out again. 10 minutes later I heard the ocean roar, and the birds started to fly off towards the mountains. Then I saw what seemed like a wall of water coming at about 200 m/ph in the distnace. I quickly accelerated towards the beach it was crucial I got to higher grounds. Once I got to the beach the Tsunami was a few miles off shore. I ran as fast as I could to my motorcyle and started for the mountains. I glanced at my side mirrior, it was too late, a mountain of water and debre was soon to hit me. I felt a pang in my back and I was pushed over, I was being tossed in the water as if I were a toy.
I was able to grab onto a side of a walll I could barely hold on for the wave had too much force. Luickily I was pulled into the building by a resident. Follow me to the roof he ordered, we stayed there for a few hurs drifting through the water watching the chaos. Then when it had calmed down UN, Red Cross, and Japanese adept rescue teams were deployed. Later that day I found my way to the middle school which was now being used as a shelter, I hope they had put their names on the survivor list to facilitate the search for them.

This Boys Life

This Boys Life Book Review

Author: Tobias Wolff

Review

By:

Alejandro Amado

The title of This Boys Life is in my opinion is very adequate for the book. I think this because the whole story is based on the life of Toby Wolff, (Yes, he is the author.) The story is funny and suspenseful. The whole story is based on Toby and his mother moving from place to place and the challenges that await them. For example in almost the middle of the book Toby’s mother gets married, Toby’s step father is very abusive to Toby, this creates conflict in the book ultimately making it interesting.

The book was written in 1^st person, and is written much like in the style of The Catcher in The Rye, because they both have that same crude writing style, it’s not a bad thing it’s just that type of style. But, personally I enjoyed This Boys Life better because a lot more things happen. This Boys Life takes you through the life of Toby since he was in elementary till high school. As in The Catcher in the Rye the whole book is in a matter of a few days.

My book is all about Toby, and his mother. Toby and his mother have a very close relationship since Toby’s father is not with them. They always have to stick together, this is very evident during the story because when Toby is out of his mothers sights he smokes, drinks, and has the I don’t care about any rules type of attitude. But, when he goes home at the end of the day to his mother, he becomes caring nice and the perfect child. Toby lived with his mother and step father a good part of the book, his abusive step father hit Toby and treated Toby horribly. Toby didn’t mention these things to his mother because he already saw how heart broken she was during the last divorce that he couldn’t let it occur again. He knew if he told all those horrible things they would probably leave his step father.

Lines I love:

“It was an ugly dog. Its short yellow coat was bare in patches, and once eat hung in pennant-like shreds. It had pink, and almost hairless tail.” –Pg. 169

“My Winchester is gone,” I said

“That dog is purebred Weimaraner,” Dwight said, keeping his eyes on the TV.

“I don’t want it. I want my Winchester.”

“Then you’re shit out of luck, because your Winchester is on its way to Seattle.” -Pg. 170

“When we are green, still half-created, we believe that our dreams are rights, that the world is disposed to act in our best interests, and that falling and dying are for quitters.” Pg. 286

This I Believe

This I Believe

By:

Alejandro Amado

I believe that a good book

Is like taking a journey

Without leaving

I believe that vanilla ice cream

Makes everything better

I believe hearing the ocean roar

Calms you down

I believe that taking a nap

Refreshes your day

I believe that waking up early,

Better prepares you

For the day

I believe that Blacker berries

Take over peoples lives

I believe that peanut butter

Brings out the kid

In everyone

I believe in Dairy Queen

And I believe that the only good thing

McDonalds has to offer

Is their French Fries

These are beliefs I live my everyday life

Around.

Conspiracy Theory

It was another sweltering day in Afghanistan. Osama and his son Mustafa were both hiding in their cave hidden in a desert. Osama and Mustafa survived mostly on scorpions for food and snake blood for water, but anything was better than the torture they would both receive if turning themselves in to the United States. Osama and Mustafa were always meticulous about arming a bomb, if there was any minor flaw they would not send the bomb. It was early one morning when Mustafa woke up of his bed of twigs and went out to look for snakes. He turned on his solar powered radio, thats when he heard there was going to be a big ceremony in Times Square, Mustafa knew this would a great time for a sneak attack.

Mustafa quickly ran back to his cave and let Osama know about his plan, Osama thought it was brilliant, so the next couple of days Osama and Mustafa dedicated their days to arm the bomb. Thats when Mustafa was sent to New York to complete the mission.

As soon as Mustafa got to New York he assimilated himself the best way possible, as a tourist. He wore an I love NY shirt and cap, with knee high socks, and a camera hanging around his neck. When Mustafa got to Times Square he hid the bomb in the "Toys R Us" store. Mustafa quickly ran outside and prepared to detonate the bomb. But something held Mustafa back from clicking the bright red button, it was Justin Bieber, Mustafa lionized Justin Bieber which was singing in the middle of Times Square. Since Mustafa had Bieber Fever he could not continue. Mustafa went to the concert and started dancing and screaming. But, this happiness of Mustafa was soon destroyed when a jumbo jet crashed into Justin Bieber, it seemed as Osama sent Mustafa's cousin Ackmed to double check that everything went as plan, and if it didn't he was to crash the jet into Times Square.

When Mustafa got back home there was great dissension between Osama and Mustafa, Mustafa argued that he shouldn't have killed his favorite pop star. From that day on Mustafa cried himself to sleep.

Osamas Conspiracy

It was 2 hours before the State of The Union Speech, no one suspected Osama Bin Laden was secretly roaming Washington D.C preparing a conspiracy. He was going to plant a bomb under the podium in which the President of The United States would make his annual speech. Osama knew if this came out as planned he would send the US into a state of shock and anarchy.

Osama needed to apprehend how to arm and detonate a bomb in a short time period. Osama was on his way to the speech when he tripped over a hot dog stand and was brutally splattered by a cement truck, from that day on there was never another terrorist attempt.

The Not so Peaceful Morning

I was having my daily jog around Central Park when i saw a lonely, young boy. I know I knew him from somewhere , but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. Then, I remembered it was Holden Caulfield. I gingerly approached him for Holden was a strange boy. I surmised that he had gotten terribly drunk last night, for he had huge red bulgy eyes, and stunk of liquor. His condition was abhorrent to me, but I still said hi. I didn't think we were going to strike up a long conversation, but he wouldn't stop talking and talking. After what seemed an interminable 15 minutes, I told him I had a meeting to get to. But, he wouldn't stop talking about how he had gotten shot in the guts, he was really getting under my skin. Then he started asking me about my sex life, at that point I had enough and walking away. Then I heard him say "walk away flit." Yes, I should have kept on walking, but I was infuriated so I turned around and punched in the face. I saw him on the ground, he appeared to be knocked out. I was quite pleased I had extricated myself from the situation, but felt bad since Holden and I where roommates at Elkton.

Holden's disposition is despicable his brusque questioning is suppose to intimidate you, but I can see right through it. I think Holden is like this because of his turbulent childhood. Holden lets say simulates the perfect rat, in my mind he should go to a psychiatrist, to check himself out. If you ever meet Holden it is imperative that you avoid him at all costs, it shall save you a headache and a good chunk of your day. Holden is the type of kid that impels you to whack him across the face, in my opinion Holden is quite reclusive, and should be embarked to an institute of some sort and have him fixed up.

Well, after I whacked him in the face I was lackadaisical about finishing my job, so I just decided to go back home. As you could probably tell Holden ruined my serene mroning.