Going Bovine: Entry Three

The very beginning of this story starts with Cameron stating, "The best day of my life happened when I was five and almost died at Disney World" (Bray, 1). This sets the stage of this entire book brilliantly by doing numerous things from the get go.

This is Cameron's sass at the beginning of it all.

One, characterization. It reveals Cameron's beginning attitude towards his life and communicating in general as rather pessimistic and to himself. Without even knowing his name we can tell he isn't one to brighten the mood or spark a casual conversation. You could even consider him a tad on the sassy side; which makes this book feel much more open and casual. I appreciate it Libba Bray.

Two, the anticipation. When I read that line for the first time, I knew this book was something special. Is that really the best day of your life? That's rough... What happened? Did you nearly choke on a Mickey Mouse ice cream bar? How do you even remember something when you are five? It rather hooked me; and I'm sure it has hooked others.

Three, the development of a theme. Bray was capable of crafting a nice before and after piece where Cameron is put into the same position twice, yet there are two completely different outcomes. In the beginning, he's helpless, reckless, and scarred as he nearly drowns in the river of the Small World ride and looks at everything as a threat to his well-being; resorting to dissing out at everything and never taking a risk. (Start of Spoiler) But by then end, he's optimistic, and sees everything a whole shade brighter and as a more mature being after living through the most insane yet spectacular two weeks of his life. It certainly is the about the journey not the destination. (End of Spoiler) A true turn-around in every sense of the word.

This quote contains so much in so little. It shows the potential power that once sentence can have, and it paved the way to a great novel.