Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Behind the Beautiful Forevers: Reflections

[Behind the Beautiful Forevers]

We're seven chapters in to Katherine Boo's Behind the Beautiful Forevers. What do you think? What have you found most fascinating, surprising, or thought-provoking? Why or how so?

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have found this book to be far more interesting than what I originally thought. I like that there is so much insight for each character. In an area with such poverty and confusion, there is so much variety in the characters and in the way that they think. Abdul is a great example of this because he attempts to have his own mind while everyone else is mainly worried about the necessities needed for their family. Although Abdul does worry about necessities, he has realistic dreams that are somewhat trivial wants and desires which cannot be said about many of the other characters in the story. They're dreaming big while living the way that is expected of them and having the dreams that their parents have basically placed into their heads.

While that is interesting to me, the most thought-provoking aspect of the story has to be everything that's going on now because of one person's poor decision. That person being Fatima. She's brought such a damper to the story in many different ways and I'm just curious to see how everything turns out for everyone that has been effected.

Shervonti Norman said...

Shervonti Norman ^ My computer glitched and submitted before I could attach my name.

Kayleigh E. said...

What I have found to be most interesting is how the people have to bribe the police to be cleared as innocent. Living in the US, for the most part, our government is fair and about justice. It surprises me when I step out of our own little world and look at others'. It is crazy to think that in other countries you can be charged for a crime you did not commit just because you are too poor to do anything about that. It really shows how much power the government there has over its citizens.

Brianna B said...

I like that the book gives such astounding different outlooks on how poverty affects people's decisions and outlooks on life.

I think that Abdul has been the most interesting character because he appears to be the most realistic and grounded character, but further analysis of his thoughts and reasoning show that he actually may be the most peculiar.

Jacqueline C. said...

This book has come to be more interesting than I initially anticipated. The thing that really caught my attention is that each character has a different story and makes you appreciate everything you have. There are so many other countries who don't have the technological advances or basic things as more developed countries. It makes people take a second look at life.

Brenda W said...

Thus far, I am really enjoying the book. It is extremely different from what I expected. Going in, I expected the book to be more documentary style. I honestly did not know it would be so captivating. I also appreciate the font and writing style used by the author. The stories draw you in and allow you to interpret the message the way you like. It evoked different emotions out of me and overall is giving me a greater sense of appreciation for life, and my life. I think what I find most fascinating about the book is the insight it offers. It offers new perspectives on concepts that have been around since the beginning of time.

Alex J said...

As we have progressed in the reading, I have become more interested in the overall plot and the conflicts within it. Abdul is my favorite character because he is striving to not only be unique, but successful - even when his surroundings aren't the greatest. The author does a good job with the characters and really lets the readers relate to them in their situations. Fatima has been the most interesting and complex character to me. I am interested in seeing if she changes and what changes are to come overall, for every character.

Mercedes H said...

So far, this book has exceeded my expectations. I find every scenario and event that carries the story of this book absolutely interesting and addicting. What I have found most memorable is the ordeal with Fatima and the Husains. I find it appalling and absurd that one individual could cause such harm to someone who did not do anything intentionally to hurt them. Fatima has mad this story so sour but at the same time I love the suspense of asking myself, "What the heck is going to happen next?!"

Anonymous said...

What struck me most is how close Annawadi and the airport are. Usually we think of extreme poverty and upper-class as worlds away. However, the only thing seperating them is a wall. The aprupt change from Annawadi to the airport is jarring and almost surreal to picture.

The most thought-provoking thing to me is how Boo chose to focus on indiviuals rather than write about the general population of Annawadi. This allowed us to better understand what life is like in Annawadi.

Marta A.

Andrea R. said...

Overall I have found this book very interesting and a pleasant move away from the previous two books. What I like most about this book and what I find thought-provoking is that it, as I may have mentioned before, gives a different perspective on life that people living in more developed areas of the world take for granted.

The iPod being one example but also the way in which education is set up and not always guaranteed to people. It really makes you think about the situation you're in versus the situation that other people are in or what other people have to do in order to just get by.

Jessica Oranika said...

I have found this book extremely interesting. As I read it, i'm saddened by the amount of corruption. Even donated things that are meant to help poor people are taken by someone in charge and sold to them. It makes me appreciate my life and see that simple things such as clean drinking water really is a privilege.

Unknown said...

I didn't think i would lie the book, but I have really enjoyed the book and its character's so far. I think the character I am most intrigued with is "One Leg" I just want to learn more about her and why she acts the way she does. What in her past that has shaped her outlook on life and is there anything that the author hasn't told us about her that could explain her character?

Candace P said...

I have found Katherine Boo's Behind the Beautiful Forevers to be extremely insightful and has provided a first-hand account of life within an environment filled with corruption and injustice. It is shocking to read about how members of the same community will turn on one another, as a result of jealously, and ultimately take another person(s) life away (i.e. Fatima accusing Abdul, Karam, and Kehkashan of pushing her towards suicide). Furthermore, I was extremely shocked to read about the corruption within the Police Department (i.e. the bribes, beatings, off-the-record holdings). Of course, I have heard of instances like these occurring in other nations, however, it "hits home" when I am reading vivid details about these occurrences.

Kiana S. said...

I have found this book to become increasingly more interesting as we've gone on. Honestly, I was skeptical about it at first. It probably wouldn't have been on the top picks to read, but I'm glad that I have.
The most interesting part of this so far is the ongoing suspense of One Leg. Her peculiar ways and backwards thinking always keeps you on edge. I'm constantly wondering, "What is she going to do next?"

Sandra N said...

The stories are very interesting. I like seeing how the people of the slum interact with each other and those outside the slum. Their culture and justice system is very different. Anyone with a well crafted story can falsify accuse anyone of a crime and get away with it. The fact that they must bribe officers to prove their innocence is unfair. Fatima and Zehrunisa's relationship has been the most interesting to me so far. They are on friendly terms when it is convenient but go to the ends of the earth to ruin each other. They seem to live in extremes with no middle ground.

Jenee B. said...

The thing I have found most thought provoking is way the people live in Annawadi; the way they interact with each other and other's outside of the slum. I was both surprised and not surprised that such dramatic events took place there. For example, I was very shocked when Fatima set herself on fire because of her jealousy. However, I was not shocked about how she killed her daughter so that she didn't have to care for her. I was not surprised because I had previously seen a documentary on the subject, as it is sadly a common practice there. Also other things like the treatment of the people by police saddened me, but was not surprising.

Anitra B. said...

The thing that I find most interesting about the book is the different stories of all the characters. When you read their stories then you get insights as to why they act the way that they do and why they do some of the things that they do. My favorite character is Abdul because he is very realistic. I'm really curious about Fatima's story. I'm curious as to see how everything plays out after the stunt she pulled.

Sierra Ewing said...

Hello there! I have been out of school for a few weeks due to some health issues so I have found it difficult to get into the book. I have not caught up in the readings, but I can say by the little that I have gathered from what I have read and reading your posts that it is a powerful read. I enjoy reading about different cultures and I am intrigued by the way that our society views family matters aside from our own. I am also very sympathetic to those affected by poverty. I have personally seen a lot of poverty while on mission trips and I can say that every story truly is different. And yes, I agree with some of the other bloggers, stories like these really make me appreciate my life and the privileges I am afforded.

Unknown said...

I have found this book to be very interesting, more interesting than the book from last year. the most thought provoking would be the characters & the way the author develops them. She does so in a way that captivates the audience & keeps them interested. There is not one time where I have thought I will be able to predict what will happen, but at the same time that fact still keeps my mind thinking of a possible answer.

Breanna B. said...

I'm having a really tough time enjoying the reading. I can't really connect with any one character in a way which will make me care about their story. I find this might have something to do with it being an assigned reading. I'm keen on the difference between reading for fun and reading for assignment. I'll keep chugging along, but not because I want to, but because I know I must. I'm hoping it gets better.

Jacquelene G said...

I thought this was one of the most interesting books we have read and one of my favorite next to Outliers. The things that sparked my interest the most were the different conditions they lived in. Their lifestyle was also unique to me, of collecting and sorting garbage to make a living. Also, compared to the U.S. the government was very corrupt often showing no justice at all. It was just interesting to see the differences here versus there.

Jac`quelene G.

Kiara Gay said...

What I have found most interesting was the character Fatima,and her actions that she pursued in order to get the attention that she hasn't gotten her whole life due to her imperfections. I just think that it relates so much to women in our actual society that they give themselves away so easily, and do whatever it takes just to feel beautiful because society has placed such a high standard on the importance of beauty that we feel it is the only thing that makes us worth anything. Even in a society where everyone was poor and no one had much to offer, Fatima was still worried about attention instead of how to find her next meal or to make a way for herself.

Ajeenah Johnson-Brown said...

I have enjoyed this book far more than the books we have had to read in the past. The other books were more motivational and almost felt like a lecture sometimes. I like that this has an actual story line with characters, it makes it easier to relate to.

I think it's interesting to see each character and their aspirations and attitudes in such a limited society. We as Americans often take advantage of our freedoms. However, in The Beautiful Forevers we have seen characters with socially unacceptable attitudes and dreams who do not change to conform to their society's expectations.

Unknown said...

This book has been far more rewarding and engaging than I thought it would be. My favorite thing about it is learning about the different personalities that come out of the characters and how they came about from living in the slums. I also admire the attitudes of some of the characters, in that they will do whatever they have to to make sure they are taken care of; even to the point that some of them strive for their own success without any help.
Ashya F.

Jessica LW said...

I have found this book becomes more interesting as it progresses. I like how the author gives precise details about each character. The most fascinating thing for me thus far in the book is Fatima. It is amazing how she set herself on fire for attention. It is sad that she felt she had to go to that extreme to receive the attention she wanted so badly. This book has made me appreciative. Sometimes I feel our society gets caught up in what we do not have but we do not realize how blessed we really are. I have enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading more.