Questions About Small World

by Laura Zigman

Reader Q&A

To ask other readers questions about Small World, please sign up.

Answered Questions (3)

This question contains spoilers... (view spoiler)

Debra

This answer contains spoilers… (view spoiler)

flag

I read in the acknowledgment section that author Laura Zigman had a sister who had special needs and passed away before Laura was born. Was the book based somewhat on how she and her sister felt growing up?

Maine Mom I think it has to have been quite autobiographical because in the acknowledgments she omits the disclaimer you sometimes see along the lines of "thank…moreI think it has to have been quite autobiographical because in the acknowledgments she omits the disclaimer you sometimes see along the lines of "thanks to my wonderful parents who,, needless to say, were nothing like the ones in this book." Her mention of them and the continuing association with the Fernald parents is very flat.(less)

flag

I was really confused about who the second person narrator is. Was it the younger sister? I found the voice-switching distracting.

Donna D'Angelo Struck I was also confused and my theory is in line with Maine Mom. Given Joyce's work, writing stories of other families, I took this to be her own "looking…moreI was also confused and my theory is in line with Maine Mom. Given Joyce's work, writing stories of other families, I took this to be her own "looking at it from the outside" view of her own family. Being the good parent she didn't have in her Mom. (less)

flag

Unanswered Questions

About Goodreads Q&A

Ask and answer questions about books!

You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.

See Featured Authors Answering Questions

Learn more