Beautiful Children Post 2

As I continue to read Beautiful Children, I have developped a better idea of Bock's writing techniques. Charles bock uses imagery profoundly throughout the novel to make his story come alive for the reader. This writing trait is essential to keep the reader's understanding and interest in the plot of the book. Charles Bock uses imagery when describing the setting of his novel, establishing a base for further action through out the rest of his book. He sets his story to take place in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bock describes the "high walls and gated communities" (14) which stand together “shimmering as if they were the surface of a translucent ocean”(14). He goes on to further build his image into our mind by comparing the overwhelming towers of the Vegas Strip to a “distant row of glowing toys” (17). With this description in our minds of Las Vegas, we can better understand the city and what crime and everyday lifestyle is like there. With this comprehension, it is easier for one to come to terms with the idea of kidknappings, pawnshops and other irregulars brought up through the novel. These kinds of things would cause chaos and bedlam in our home area but if one can grasp the differences between the lifestyles of Edina and Las Vegas, the story itself comes to life in a much more realistic manner.

Although Bock does often use imagery to describe the setting or environnement of a scene, when he starts to talk more about plot his writing reads a bit more like a list. Bock's writing style reminds me much of the book Night that we read earlier this quarter. Wiesel uses detailed description during some scenes such as the hanging of the young child in his concentration camp, but for a majority of the time he tells events and feelings much more than he shows them. I find this style both good and bad. All of Bock's characters are very different (parents, teenagers, strippers, pornographers, runaways, addicts, gamblers etc..) but I think he could have improved upon distinguishing them more from each other by going more into depth when it comes to imagery and description. However, this way of writing enables Bock to get straight to the point and leave small room for confusion of what he is trying to say to the reader. He writes "Kenny could not help but feel the weight of the past" (68). We understand immediatedly what Bock wants us to see about Kenny, but it might have been more interesting to read events and actions and deduce from those that Kenny couldn't control feeling the "weight of his past". Overall I am really enjoying this read and I find the plot innovating and entertaining.