This Story started out with a statement and then a question. "Here we are, " she said. "Aren't we?" And the story ended with the same statement and question. Out of all the books that I had to read I liked this one the best. I think that it was a cute, crazy conversation between two adults who are nervous about the life they are going to live since they have just gotten married. They have silly arguments about her sister and the relationship that he has with her family. "Don't think that I haven't noticed it. It makes me feel terrible. It makes me feel just awful that you don't like my own sister." And the husband responds, "I do so like her! I'm crazy fro Ellie. I think she's a great kid." Arguments and such are like this throughout the story. She accusses him of everything that she could think of and he patiently explains to her she is talking nonsense and tries to defend himself the best that he could.
I think that the title to this book was absolutely perfect! After I read it over, I thought about it and I seemed to me that she was saying that because she was trying to convince herself she actually got married and now here she beginning a whole new life. "Here we are," she said. "Aren't we?" just shows how scared and doubtful she is.
I liked the story a lot, too, Gina. You relly captured what the author was trying to get across--the wife saying "Here we are" and then asking "Aren't we?" is her looking for reassurance, trying to affirm her position (relative and objectively) with her husband and in her life. She was probably the type that dreamed about being married all her life--constantly wondering what color her bridesmaids' dresses would be, how she'd wear her hair... that sort of thing. But now that she's married, all those daydreams don't mean anything. She's passed that point, and it's the "Here" she's obsessed with. But at the "Here" she doesn't really know how else to think of it other than the ways she's dreamed about--which, like anyone's dreams I'm sure--is perfect, but unrealistic.
Posted by: Karissa at March 31, 2005 02:46 PMJohn Haddad seems to have had the opposite opinion...
Posted by: Dennis G. Jerz at April 1, 2005 12:39 PM