Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

[image error] Testimony by Anita Shreve

Testimony hooked me early and was a fast paced read. I enjoyed the short chapters which alternated between different character perspectives. The issue of teen drinking and sex, with the act being caught on videotape and broadcast on YouTube is timely and anyone with teenagers can relate to the fear of getting the call that your child has been caught doing something stupid.

One quote in the book really stuck with me:

"I just don't get it. You take all those other days of the year--364 of them. And all that pressure to get into a good college. And three hours a night of homework, plus all those hours of practice and games and Saturday school...So you take all those hours and you put them up against one hour of getting wasted and acting like a jerk, and that one hour defines your life? Forever?"

Testimony makes you think about how one act, a momentary lapse in judgment can trigger events that can alter your life. Shreve is not just referring to the teens in this novel; there is a surprising twist to the ending.

Lisa wrote: "[image error] Testimony by Anita Shreve

Testimony hooked me early and was a fast paced read. I enjoyed the short chapters which alternated between di..."

I was so intrigued by this same idea. I couldn't help but think about the butterfly effect when I read the novel. One action. One simple action. One cruel action. One animalistic action. One selfish action caused all of this. I thought it was brilliant how Shreve wove the story together to reach the climax of the novel (no pun intended) when Silas caught Anna and Mike. If that event hadn't happened would there have been a novel?

I was intrigued by this quote:"I do remember being kind of amazed that Mr. Coggeshall, who was chaperoning that night, didn't break it up, or tone it down, or change the music or something, because it was all becoming a little too Lord of the Flies at one point." The mention of Lord of the Flies made me think of Golding's exploration of the Beast within all of us. J.Dot as Jack. Rob as Ralph. Silas as Piggy. The world of Avery Academy in many ways imitates the island in Lord of the Flies. There were adults but they were on the peripherary of the novel - until the night in question.

I'm intrigued by the use of narrator within the novel. Most characters' testimony was in first person as if talking to the researcher. Ellen was in second person - as if administering a warning or giving advice. Mike was in third person limited. What do you make of this?

I liked the multiple narration styles, although I know it's been a source of contention for some readers and critics. I thought it was an effective technique to show how we as a community experience shocking and major news worthy accounts. There are those who are involved first-hand, who relate what happened to them or their feelings and opinions. There are those that are affected by the events, but not immediately involved. Then, there are the observers, who had no role in events, but were on the periphery of the action and knew or were acquainted with those involved. The rest of us are just voyeurs trying to glimpse into the lives of these people and understand what happened.

I think I was most affected by the second person narration of Ellen, the mother of one of the boys involved. She made comments like, "When you receive the phone call..." It drew me into the story and made me feel "there but before the grace of God go I." I could only too vividly imagine being Ellen.

Mike's voice in the third person gave the reader the chance to experience some of his feelings, yet also distanced him a little from the action. I felt Mike's voice was saying to the reader, these things happened to me and here is how I reacted. I felt like he was inviting the reader to sit with him and witness the video and justify his actions. We were given insight into his character, but at the same time I felt like he was trying to remove himself from the action.

I liked the odd accounts, for instance, the cafeteria worker. (It kinda reminded me of the janitor in the movie, The Breakfast Club.) I found the different points of view and "testimonies" made the story work.

Your comment about Mike's third person narration got me thinking. It does distance him from what happened. I also wonder if Shreve used this form of narration to show Mike's character. I don't feel (and I didn't realize this until I pondered your thoughts about narration)that Mike felt responsible for what happened. I think the third person also shows the reader that Mike himself is distanced from the events in the novel. He and Anna had an affair; however, in his mind, this had no bearing on the events that happened afterwards. Mike like so many people I know does not see himself as at fault here. He's almost as bad as J.Dot.

I really appreciated the comments from the townspeople and their viewpoints. I would have like comments from Meg. She seems so evil, but we only know about her from Mike's perspective. I wonder what she would've or could've added to the story.

Shreve was really able to capture the emotions of a worried parent through Ellen's testimony. What a strong yet fragile woman.

Silas' narrative was the one that affected me the most. The stream of consciousness in his story clearly conveyed how emotionally distraught he was. It was such a contrast from what others were saying about him that I wondered what else happened that led up to the video.

I think the story captured the elusive quality of truth. It's human nature to want to get at truth, to find some plausible explanation as to why something happened or to pinpoint blame. We can see through the way the story is told, everyone has their own truths and the best we can do is to weave them together to make some sense of the situation.

I think the story also brought to our attention how a single thought, action or even inaction can have unforeseen consequences. A single action itself may have no meaning or little meaning, but when taken into account within a series of circumstances it can take on a whole different context. I really felt that Silas was much more of a victim than Sienna.

I agree with you. To me, Sienna wasn't a victim, but then again her roommates truth has helped me form my beliefs. Silas was the victim. I also saw Owen as a victim. However, the reader does really get a glimpse into Anna and Owen's marriage.

I agree that is human nature to pinpoint blame, and as an 8th grade teacher I see that all the time. In fact the joy in my job is watching my students grow emotionally and become reflective and realize their role in both their successes and failures. In Testimony, who do you think has been able to grow from the series of events leading to the tape, and who hasn't?