Bildungsroman

A month back I read three bildungsroman novels in a week. I started with To Kill a Mocking Bird. I followed it up with The Catcher in the Rye. The week was concluded by The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. The last one was not strictly bildungsroman but more on that later. I highly recommend all three of them for a read.

 They are similar as the narrator is a child or adolescent who is dealing with tough situation and grows up as a result of it. Also author does a great job of evoking the feel as if you are really watching the events unravel from the young narrator's perspective. I was able to connect with character's emotions and feel their wonder, awe, confusion etc.

To Kill a Mocking Bird is the longest of the three but is written in the simplest way evoking a yearning for the simple time in one's life. Harper Lee's novel deals with topic of racism, rape and injustice as observed by young girl. It creates an environment of small rusty town. Various troubles of a young independent girl child and her elder brother in 1930s with a single father is presented through small details. The exposure to injustice and struggle of their father against injustice is main plot of the novel. Even though novel does not paint a pretty picture it still leaves one with the hope.

The Catcher in the Rye is the shortest but is not as easy read due to its heavy usage of slangs and teenage vocabulary of 1950s. Salinger does a great job of capturing teenage confusion and angst along with deep sorrow of the protagonist. Even though events unfold in two days in novels timeline but they are eventful. The novel delves into the psyche of a troubled teen and does an amazing job at it.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time was fastest read. I almost completed this in a single sitting. It is a mix of bildungsroman and mystery. What really struck me was the way words and sentences of the novel written by Mark Haddon seemed to paint the picture of special child's thoughts. The child has social/behavioral issues and witnesses the marital troubles of the parents. What follows is a story of courage and growth with touch of mystery and emotions.

Revolutionary Road vs. Blue Valentine

These two movies are my favorite movie about marital discord. They present to us likable couples who start well and then descend into hellish struggle which ultimately results in marital tragedy. I think what makes these movies more superb is the sheer acting prowess shown by the leading cast in these movies. Observing a marriage falling apart in all its graphical detail is not a comfortable sight but these two movies will compel you to watch it to their tragic conclusion.

Blue Valentine is set in contemporary time period and juxtaposes frames from past and present finally culminating with both beginning and end. This works in part and sometimes these transition seems bit jarring. Also it seems Dean comes out more likable then Cindy which I feel is not right as we do not get to see but not feel Cindy’s perspective clearly.

Revolutionary Road is set in 1950s but is still relevant. The movie is relax paced and mostly linear. The movie takes the two likable characters Frank and April and pushes them to the point where none is dearer to the viewer. One thing which I like about the movie is that it does not bring much baggage of pre-marital life so it seems like the story can be common place. It does slightly exaggerates their idiosyncrasies but not by much.

Overall both movies are superb. But if I have to pick one favorite it would be Revolutionary Road as it made story more ordinary and common place and it takes one step wise through various stages of regular marriage to tragic one. Blue Valentine is more a portrayal of one particular marriage with a familiar problem but distinct past.