After falling in love with Gayle Foreman's Just One Day, I could not wait to read the sequel, Just One Year. I usually pick books that are part of a series, because I always become so invested and connected to the characters, that I want to read more! I loved the way Foreman told the same story, but from a different perspective. It gave a world of insight to the reader as to what happened that morning, and why Allyson woke up to find Willem absent. Willem seemed to be a lost soul, wondering and traveling for years without a steady home or family. I can't even begin to imagine what that must be like, considering how close I am with my family and friends. While living "life after Lulu," Willem reflects on his past and the losses he has suffered. When he has reached his breaking point, he goes back to his mother, who appeared to have left him in a previous period of her life. The reader learns the love Willem's mother has for him through her actions and not her words. They always say you have to love yourself before you can love someone else, so I feel like Willem spent this year without Lulu/Allyson finding and loving himself, his flaws, and his past. This eventually results in Allyson and Willem's reunion. Had he not been given the opportunity to rediscover himself over that period of time, he may not have been successful in a relationship with Allyson.
Lesson Learned:
It is never to late to go home, and embrace what or who has made you the person you are today!
I agree. There are times in one's life that are truly "growing periods" and one does not know that until one has gone through that period and can look back. One thing, for sure, is that "lulu" was the catalyst for Willem's soul searching. He was also very lucky to have had a friend like Kate. On p. 135 Kate says, "Sometimes fate or life or whatever you want to call it, leaves a door a little open and you walk through it. But sometimes it locks the door and you have to find the key, or pick the lock or knock the damn thing down. And sometimes, it doesn't even show you the door, and you have to build it yourself. But if you keep waiting for the doors to be opened for you......................I think you'll have a hard time finding single happiness, let alone that double portion."
ReplyDelete"Willem, I suspect deep down you know exactly why you're here, exactly what you want, but you're unwilling to commit to it, unwilling to commit to the wanting, let alone the having. Because both of those propositions are terrifying."
What, in your estimation, did Willem learn from being with Kate. On another note, what age group do you feel, might enjoy this book? How would you use this book?
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed meeting Kate's character in this novel. She was a complete stranger who encouraged and supported Willem at some of the lowest points in his life. She was his biggest supporter on stage, and helped him on this journey of finding himself. I feel like both Kate and Prateek show readers the importance of having companions in your life. My friends are the most important people in my life, and I was glad to see that Willem found these friends along his journey that you perfected termed a "growing period" in his life. I would use this novel to teach the importance of these growing periods and embracing them to find the best you and becoming who you are meant to be!
ReplyDeleteI agree. Nice going. I suspect that you might get some "mature and sensitive" boys to read this book.
ReplyDeleteWhat was your personal opinion of Willem's mother? Dr. Ries
I agree. Nice going. I suspect that you might get some "mature and sensitive" boys to read this book.
ReplyDeleteWhat was your personal opinion of Willem's mother? Dr. Ries