Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close

Like many people, 9-11 was a watershed for me and still causes me pain to think about that terrible day and the way it changed the world. So I hesitated watch the movie based on this book. I did see it and later decided to listen to the audible book. I am so glad that I did. The book is far richer and deeper than the movie. It tells how families can wish for the best things but still get things terribly wrong - it talks about guilt but it also talks about courage. Oscar is a super hero in my mind. He is so brave yet so vulnerable - and he brings such poignant joy to the people he meets on his journey towards his dad and his family. His mom has a small but crucial role in how she gave Oscar space to deal with the loss of his father while she had her own devils. I want to read the book again - and again - and again -- I believe that each time this book is read is another revelation - and an affirmation of life and love - even beyond the grave

Well, I've made it to chapter 6. I simply can't listen to it anymore.

I don't see how a 9 year old boy would be allowed to wander around New York City on his own. The character is just not as a 9 year old would be. I just don't get the story at all.

I'm pretty sure that if my grand-parents had written me a letter (as they had written to the boy in this story) describing their first sexual experience, it would most probably have made me vomit!