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What We Buried

Questions About What We Buried

by Kate A. Boorman (Goodreads Author)

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Answered Questions (3)

if you read this book as opposed to listening, were you able to distinguish past from present? Listening, I was clueless until i figured it out for myself.
Helen Yes, the written book is a big help, because all of the past scenes were printed in italics. Good for you, if you could figure it out, yourself, while…moreYes, the written book is a big help, because all of the past scenes were printed in italics. Good for you, if you could figure it out, yourself, while listening!(less)
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Amanda
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Ok, this question is about semantics, not particularly about the book, which was a mildly interesting melodrama with unfortunately stilted and unrealistic dialogue. The author seems to be Canadian and the setting American, but some of her phrasing was odd. For example, who says "embarrassed of"? Is it a local phrase? I've never heard it before. Here in Canada we say "I was embarrassed by you", or "you embarrassed me."
Jessie Midwestern American here - to me, "embarrassed by" and "embarrassed of" are two different phrases. Someone who does something embarrassing would cause…moreMidwestern American here - to me, "embarrassed by" and "embarrassed of" are two different phrases. Someone who does something embarrassing would cause me to be embarrassed by them, whereas someone whose presence is in some way embarrassing is someone I'm embarrassed of (and yes, it's bad English to say it that way with the preposition at the end, but that's how it's used in everyday language around here). It's the difference between someone saying "you embarrassed me" (I'm embarrassed by them) and someone saying "you embarrass me" (I'm embarrassed of you). One is an active verb, the other is a passive one.

In this instance, I think it was used to describe Jory, right? So it's not something he's actively doing, but something about him (his disorder) that was causing the embarrassment. It's an important distinction in this situation.

Hope that helps!(less)
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