ExtLd&InClo

This is one of the most odd beginnings to a book I have ever read. It's not often you come across a novel where the narrator discusses poo in the first paragraph. But, I have also never read a story where the narrator is mentally retarded. Because of this odd use of narration, this story actually reminds me of Faulkner's, "As I Lay Dying". The author of "Extremely Loud...", Jonathan Safran Foer, has done an oddly amazing job of capturing the idiosyncrasies of such a character. For example, when Oskar receives an automated response from Steven Hawking and cannot wait to laminate it. This odd and nonsensical behavior seems incredibly difficult to make up. There are other such instances of Oskar's odd behavior, like the ride in the limousine, but regardless, the author captured much of the reality (i suppose) of being mentally handicapped. It's funny, though, I cannot tell how old Oskar is. He could be 7 or he could be 37. I feel like he is probably older though. He is not minimally functional for a handicapped person, and his parents let him go out by himself. This was an interesting introduction to a book. It really grabs the reader's attention, and somehow, sends minor clues the reader's way to the actually focus of the book, September 11th.