outside reading x

Outside Reading X-
a book review
by Barbara Kingsolver
Once on This Island
February 19, 2011.

“Once, on This Island”, is a book review by Barbara Kingsolver, on T. Coraghessan Boyle’s book, “When the Killing’s Done.”

Kingsolver adopts a condescending sort of tone in this writing, evidenced by what I took to be her subtle sarcastic language. For instance, she begins the review by asking, “what could possess a man to sail to an uninhabited island, in defiance of law, and throw out vitamin K pellets as an antidote to a government-sponsored rat-poisoning program?” We as readers may be initially confused by this question, as it seems rather outlandish. Kingsolver goes on to say that other people may feel confused too, such as professional therapists or law-enforcement officers. She then says, “but no motive is beyond the grasp of an imaginative fiction writer.” By saying this, she sets up the premise that this book might be a little out-there and unrealistic.

Kingsolver also comments on how uncontrived this book may be, through her use of what details to include. Incidentally, this also shows what critical perspective she critiques with here- archetypal. She classifies the two main characters as being  “easily cut to type.” There’s the hippie character, an “emotional animal rights fanatic decked out in dreadlocks and vegetarian zeal,” and the uncaring park ranger with a Ph.D.

The diction and word-choice used in the piece may also reflect the way Kingsolver feels about this piece. She uses very informal writing, and what seem to be childish words, for instance she’ll say “gobbling down” and “a dodo-like waitress.” This makes the book itself seem less sophisticated, and not worth reading.

From reading this review, “When the Killing’s Done” reminds me of your average dystopian novel, in which powerful humans have become corrupt and there’s a strong-willed band of individuals that try to fight for what they believe is right. For instance, “1984” (suuuch a good book!!) or “Children of Men.”