Status Updates From A Small Fortune

(Argue) “He was always quick to insist, whenever the other cousins inquired, that it wasn’t a fortune. Why generate envy or provoke unwelcome requests? (page 364)” Hey, Harris, you could take notes on this! Maybe your life wouldn’t be so awful if you did!

(Writer’s Strategies) The way that this author forms her story makes it difficult to follow. This could be from me reading a chapter at a time, but it’s more easy to find an overly detailed description than a very clear turn in the plot.

(Argue) So a dude is missing, and they’re like “whatever let’s go to bed and check tomorrow”. Seriously?? Go look for him!! He could be in danger that is gonna be irreversible by tomorrow, or just really need your help in general! Jeez.

(Visualization) “It was a troublesome car, the Citroën, yet the mechanic was not daunted. (from page 330)” I imagined a car that’s between old and not-incredibly-old, and I found this https://goo.gl/images/DWr5V4 which I think is almost a perfect representation (it’s also a Citroën).

(Prediction/Inference) “You can be a part of this family or not. (page 327)” Harris is being asked if he’s gonna go with her for a bit until he’s in a better state or not. Considering how much he’s been not-so-supportive of his family, and the fact that it’s near the end of the book, I’m fairly sure he’ll go with her.

(Vocab) “...see who was there, or what was new, catch a bit of gossip, proffer advice on retail strategy... (from page 316)” Proffer - “hold out (something) to someone for acceptance; offer” So, basically, you can add p and r to the word offer, and it won’t change its meaning.

(Connection) “There had also been discussions about a camping trip for the Year Eleven Boys. (from page 305)” I know this is likely just talking about juniors, but the way it’s phrased and its capitalization really gave me The Giver vibes.

(Themes) “And yet, she realized as she turned into her street, she missed him more than ever now that the girls were here. His interfering presence was sorely lacking. (from page 293)” This emphasizes the family theme. It also would’ve been another good example for my discussion!

(Argue) (Also, spoilers!) So, Harris just proposed to Farrah, and just ughhhhh I don’t like him. “It seemed to her that he wanted propriety in the eyes in the eyes of his cousins more than anything else. More than love of her, more than a desire for happiness. (from page 283)” Moral of the story, he’s lame.

(Vocab) “She kept returning his appraisal of their relationship as a shameful liaison.” Liaison — “communication or cooperation that facilitates a close working relationship between people or organizations.” This was the second time I’d seen this word in this book, so I decided to learn what it meant.

(Argue) “She toed her cigarette into a slab of pavement, in case it bothered him. (page 266)” Alia stOP I USED TO LIKE YOUR CHARACTER. Who cares about smoking when you’re LITTERING

(Prediction) So these dudes have decided to make a “phone support service for local teenagers”, and I don’t think it’s gonna go anywhere. Seriously, how many teens are gonna call some middle-aged men for any type of support?

(Connection) “‘Have you no faith?’ ‘None,’ she said, though a tiny part of her envied him that sureness of purpose she lacked. His certainty simplified everything. (from page 249)” I definitely relate to this and have been a bit envious at times of others for having faith. That’s not typical of me, though.

(Ask/Argue) “Keep your voice down.” “Am I shouting?” “You are, yes.” How does a typically quiet person not realize they’re shouting??

(Favourites) So my new favourite character is Farrah, because I agree with all of her opinions, she’s the nicest one in the book (in my opinion), and she cares very deeply for those she loves. Also, she’s good at small talk, which is impressive.

(Argue) So the dude before who chose dating a woman over supporting his family is now telling his daughter that she can’t have a boyfriend because she has to worry about her future. When she asked about his future, he replied, “My future is my concern.” The heck??

(Connection) “She understood that he had to keep an eye on his old shop, and he seemed to have an everlasting list of running repairs on his house that took up a great deal of his time. (from page 213)” This reminds me of Bruce Bechdel, who was both a real person and is a character in the biographical musical Fun Home. He can be described through this quote, which I think is kinda nifty.

(Argue) So this dude is given the choice of getting money to save his family or dating a woman that he’s been on like two dates with, and he chooses the latter. Seriously?? My dude, what are you doing??