The Language of Blood by Tranka is hands down my favorite piece that we have read in class so far. I loved the variety of modes she presents us with so we can better access her memories. I was surprised by the crossword, warmed by the intimacy presented in the intimate letters (that Tranka wrote for us - even the ones that were from her mother), and humbled by the final apology that Trank offers her mother after the "story" is complete.
I can't imagine the effort that it took to write this book, parts of it brought me to tears, to relive and have to face a past stalking experience, to explore the ins and outs of complex relationships, and to put those that she loves through the sometimes brutal honesty of her feelings by publishing this book. I can't imagine what it might be like for her adopted parents to read this book. I wonder if they even wanted to.
I thought Tranka did an excellent job of exposing us to her past, the emotions her past forced her to live through, and the path of realizations that Tranka comes to as she lives her life. I did not feel that she forced her memories. In fact, it was not until I finished reading the book did I really give much thought to Tranka's intent. The fact that I was not thinking about being manipulated by Tranka throughout the book made me reflect on my own memories and how I share and expose them and when I decide not to. I reflected a lot on how I as a writer intentionally present myself to my readers and when things just flow out without much thought to the reader, when the intent is more selfish and exploratory, maybe even healing.
Reading the Sherman Alexi piece and doing that in class rushed written response got me out of the mindset of being aware of the reader. I read what I wrote to a friend and as I was reading it I realized that I didn't have time to think about how my reader would receive what I was writing, or how it would shape their view of me. I wonder if Tranka had that feeling while writing that book? The absence of intent is sometimes a beautiful thing.
I agree, as a storyteller, her seams were invisible and the story dominated over the implications of the story. It's always useful to look at the techniques the writer uses when this kind of story crosses our paths and when the ones with more obvious "points" expose their techniques more obviously
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While I don't feel that I was "manipulated" by Trenka or any of the other authors we've read (maybe Cooper), I did feel that her bitterness was at times unpleasant. In contrast, Walker seemed completely devoid of bitterness, even when moderately bad things happened, like a chicken dying. I also wasn't sure how I felt the I-got-married = happy ending. Seemed a bit forced to me. But since it's a story, why not?
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