Tuesday, September 11

thinking of oskar


My sister Ashley and I share a love for a little boy named Oskar Schell. Oskar is not a real little boy but if he were I would adopt him. Or make him be my little brother, because he is so good.

I am thinking of Oskar today, with his heavy boots, his Francophile-ish idioms, his larger-than-life imagination, his complete innocence, his accidental sense of humor and superfluous use of the term "What the?." There are probably lots of real Oskars who lost their fathers on Sept. 11 and that breaks my heart. I am also thinking of them today.

This is one of my favorite books by Jonathan Safran Foer called "Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close," of which Oskar is the star. As Ashley says, in many ways, Oskar is the book. I have a signed copy thanks to Lane via Emily. It's something I treasure. Look how JSF wrote my name in the top photo.

These are some of my favorite spreads. You should read it not only because the writing is superb or because of its uncanny visual appeal, but also because this book will make you laugh and cry with a nine-year-old boy, and that is a good thing for anyone to do every once in a while.

17 comments:

jamieanne said...

It seems like the only appropriate way to pen your name...for him, at least. Very fitting.

James said...

Thanks to you I read and loved this book. It is by far one of my favorite books that I have read.

I love the way he wrote your name.

I wonder how he would write my name.

Les said...

That tribute was "one hundred dollars" Ali.

A prayer today for the Oskars.

Brooke Romney said...

I can't wait to read a copy! I'm always up for a good book.

Anonymous said...

Thanks to you for recommending it to James, who then recommended it to me. I love this book. Oskar reminds me of my son (including use of "What the?"), which made the whole thing even more tender.

Lane said...

Ali, what a sweet tribute to Sept. 11. Especially here in New York where, even at the epicenter, the day goes by too easily with barely a mention.

I love the way you presented your post in both picture and text format--just like the book itself! You, like JSF, are brilliant at doing funny and sad.

Jo said...

oh wow! just by the title i would love to read it! and it looks so beautiful! i hope someone from my work goes to the US soon so i can ask them to get it back for me! love how he wrote your name!

Anonymous said...

It looks like a wonderful book, thanks for the intro.

Anonymous said...

thank you for introducing us to the book. I will be reading it this week!

allison said...

i've been looking for a new book to read :)

alyson. said...

wow. that book looks like an incredible read. I'm adding it to my list.

Unknown said...

i need to take a look at it.
i've never heard of it before. i love finding new books!

Kristin said...

I love to see how people write my name just for the different perspective on something I write/sign almost daily. He made your name so fanciful and free spirited!

sarah marie. said...

this is my favorite book of all time. and i'm so jealous of your signed copy with your name stretched out like that. what in the what the?

Author said...

ali, I love this book, too.

Lisa H. said...

next on my list. once again a beautiful, inspiring blog.

Kate Neckel said...

i must pick up this book...thanks for sharing...love your blog, i just found it via finelittleday!