A Death in the Family | James Agee | A mamorial for death

A Death in the Family | James Agee | A DEATH IN THE FAMILY

books:

A Death in the Family

	A Death in the Family James Agee Vintage, 1998 - 320 pages average customer review:based on 69 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

A mamorial for death

James Agee wrote this book through the time of his death, and was so tramatized by his fathers death that he was never able to finish it. It spans 4 days in addition to selected prose inserted as memories of the main character Rufus' childhood. On some level, Rufus is a representation of Agee himself as a child. This is a fantastic book which thoroughly explains what death means and what the consequences of death are. I would reccomend this book to anyone, it is fantastically written, and contains an even more impressive message.

A DEATH IN THE FAMILY

James Agee's "A Death in the Family" is a moving novel about the struggles of a family trying to cope with the tragic loss of one of their own. The story, set in Knoxville, Tennessee, is a relatively easy read, despite the fact that some parts are unfinished. Rufus, the protagonist of the story, is shaken from his childhood innocence by the sudden death of his father. He does not fully comprehend what death is and how it will effect him, but by the end of the story he begins to understand.
Religion is a major theme in "A Death in the Family". It also causes many disputes within the family and eventually leads to Rufus' confusion abvout what death really is. Another major theme in the novel is the childhood viewpoint that the story is told from. This helps you to understand what Rufus feels and allows you to sympathize with him.
James Agee uses flashbacks in "A Death in the Family" to give the reader some background information about the family. This helps the reader understand what Jay, Rufus' father, was like. This also helps the reader feel the depth of Rufus' loss. Agee also uses symbolism in the end of the book to convey the thought that life goes on.
"A Death in the Family" is all in all a very moving novel. The lack of vulgarity and profaneness is a nice change from most books. I would recomend it to anyone.

for more information click here

Sad, but well written

James Agee's "A Death in the Family" is a book written about the bonds of family love. Jay Follet is killed instantly when he is thrown from his car on his way home from seeing his sick father. After his death, his wife, Mary uses Catholicism to cope with her sadness, praying often. We see that Mary is a caring mother by the way she takes great care to explain things to her two children, Rufus and Caroline.

I enjoyed the book but felt it dragged somewhat. This may be because the author died while writing the book. Because he was unable to go back and make refinements there are some confusing sections. However, there are some well written flash-back sections. Overall, I liked the unique style the book was written in but I do not think I would recommend it.

for more information click here

Sad, but well written

James Agee's "A Death in the Family" is a book written about the bonds of family love. Jay Follet is killed instantly when he is thrown from his car on his way home from seeing his sick father. After his death, his wife, Mary uses Catholicism to cope with her sadness, praying often. We see that Mary is a caring mother by the way she takes great care to explain things to her two children, Rufus and Caroline.

I enjoyed the book but felt it dragged somewhat. This may be because the author died while writing the book. Because he was unable to go back and make refinements there are some confusing sections. However, there are some well written flash-back sections. Overall, I liked the unique style the book was written in but I do not think I would recommend it.

for more information click here

reviews: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, page 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14

products you might be interested in

recommendations

So . . . the police aren't really looking for anybody then?
I have the best F ing books. Ever.
Read Some Good Books Along With Me
American Novels, 1951-1975
Violence, Pain and Death