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Click on image to go to Author website. "THE RACE IS NOT TO THE SWIFT." Eccl. 9:11

Saturday 10 November 2018

Behind The Blue Curtain Review

By Laura Wallace


There is that one book or story that you read and will never forget. On the other hand, there are books and stories you have encountered that have had zero impact on you. Behind the Blue Curtain is cleverly written by Steven Millhauser. The narrative is based on the journey of a young boy towards enlightenment. It is the decision to go to the theater alone instead of the tradition of being accompanied by his father that will open his eyes forever.

Boys at his age are comfortable being accompanied by their father. However, the protagonist chooses a unique path where he goes alone. His desire is to understand how the world works. He is interested in insight and knowledge as opposed to material wealth. This is an outstanding trait for a boy of his age.

The narrative style used by the author makes it easy for readers to relate with the experience of this boy. It is told in first person, bringing to live the story as though it is happening now or you are hearing it as a narrative as opposed to reading. The challenges and quest of this main character are easy to relate to. According to the narrator, he feels as though the father is hiding something or being protective. This signifies a boy on a mission.

The author is not straightforward on where the book is set. However, descriptions indicate that the events take place in summer. Most of these events also happen in the theater and in a period somewhere in the twentieth century. While the protagonist is a young boy, nothing in this narrative makes it sound like the flip flop boyhood narratives.

A woman appears midway and is described as a reflection, to add a twist to the tale. The emphasis on mirrors by Steven is exemplary and stylistically ingenious. Though the boy and the woman portray conflicting personalities, their personalities and fate reflect on each other. There are similarities that are stylistically positioned to point at Mirror Reflections as a hidden literary image.

There is conflict displayed in a boy who has to choose between knowledge already acquired and continuing in darkness that most people live. Since he has acquired the knowledge behind these curtains, a certain part of him has to die and another boy be born. This death will occur when he slips into the office of the janitor and sleeps. His waking up in a dream signifies the rebirth.

One can read the theme of transformation throughout the story. The writer cleverly uses lighting and the passage through candelabras to represent this journey of transformation. The description of scenes and development of characters are also unmistakable. Readers searching for literary stylistics are rewarded handsomely by the author.

The mode of narration makes the story one of the best you will ever read. The curious nature of this main character also reflects in almost everyone at a certain point in life. This makes for a universal read. With well-developed characters and themes, you have a perfect narrative for both leisure reading as well as academic pursuit.




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