some subtext

[clarie]

the clearest subtext I found in the Petting Zoo was slipped in very
early in the novel, and then became a factor in Billy's life after
Marta left him. that was very carefully saying that Billy's abusive
father suffered from bi-polar disorder, and later on it's revealed the
p-doc at the hospital believes Billy also suffers from the disorder
too. that would account for a lot of Billy's great gifts, but also
his falling apart in his late 30's. and all the strange things that
come after that. I think the petting zoo is a portrait of his
childhood, and the raven is a voice he doesn't want to or need to hear

the book hit me really hard. I haven't been able to make notes or
write anything about it until now..

[Bill DeNoyelles]

I found the excerpt of The Petting Zoo that dealt with the death of Billy's mother to be exceptionally moving. Having had a personal experience with this, I found it's accuracy and depth  to be almost too intense. Which is good. It attests to Jim's exceptional gifts as a writer. It was almost too familiar for me and brought me to tears. It really shows Jim's sense of comapassion and empathy. The Petting Zoo is a deep book. Much deeper than any of the reviewers have  allowed it to be. I will re-read it and post some more.

 

thanks clair 37....you inspired me to get off me arse and write this.

 

Bill

--

www.billdenoyelles.com

www.flickr.com/people/billdeno78/

http://billdenoyellesbrickbybrick.blogspot.com/