Ned Vizzini grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and eventually became a famous author when he published his journals kept through high school which exposed his life to the public. However, these books aren’t amusing just because he shares all his life stories, but because he is flaunting the brutally honest truth of what it is like to be a teenager. This story is completely relatable and I found that reading this book prepared me for the future and even allowed me to make connections to my current life.
Ned introduces himself as a child who has been socially awkward, tied up in video games, and lonely most of his life. As the story goes on, he expands his high school life and makes friends- even gets a girlfriend. Vizzini also shares his experience in getting into high school (which is what we are going through now), and college as well. Personally I can relate to how Vizzini feels during the high school admissions process and growing up. Being horrified of high school, and his daily struggles with normal teenage boy issues: girls, grades, getting introduced to new people and things. Ned wasn’t the most popular guy in school, he knew it, and underestimated himself at times. We can all relate to that- thinking people are better than we are. Ned gets over this but before he builds up his confidence, he is put through awkward and painful situations.
In other books or movies about growing up it seems all welcoming and fun, but Ned introduces the side of being a teenager that is bittersweet. Although it was a harsh description and course of events, it was good to hear the truth- no matter what it was. Not over exaggerated- but of course not boring- Ned Vizzini portrayed the life of a teenage boy growing up to be successful, in spite of the chances he repeatedly missed several times in his life.
Unfortunately, Ned Vizzini has just committed suicide. It’s hard to think about this event because he let us into his life and showed how life is brutally hard at times, yet giving us strength to go on with ours as he did himself. Its awfully coincidental that as I read his book, explored his life, he was planning on ending it. I was fascinated at how he chose to show his life and how he went through so many lost battles yet still was comfortable and caring enough to share it with the world, preparing us for the not so easy path that lays ahead. I wish he knew how much we all admire his confidence and his literature. He really taught me many lessons about how to handle situations or what is the right or wrong thing to do. This book was educational and inspirational, as well as fascinating.
I read this book a month back and I just learned that he died. I feel so bad for him but this was one of my favorite books by him. I don't think that this is the first time he wanted to die because of his book "it's kind of a funny story". you should read that book. it's really good and I think that it's better that this one.
ReplyDeleteYour vocabulary is excellent and your your last paragraph was very touching and well written. Really good job!
ReplyDeleteWow this is really good! The vocabulary you used really helps prove your point. The way you organized this was great. I really like Ned Vizzini too and I thought you described how he writes very well.
ReplyDeleteI think you did a really good job your vocabulary made your writing very interesting and helped you make your points very clear. You show a lot of emotion from the story through.
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