I can`t say whether I like this story or not, because I don`t like such type of narration, may be because these are letters, but letters shouldn`t be read in a general public. They are something that belongs only for whom they are written. But in general the author raises very important problems: the problem of self-expression and defending of one`s believes. I don`t understand what the reason was, but to my mind defending owns believes is something good. It means that the person don`t belong to ignorant mass and try to be personality. I like the actions of the family, they don`t try to suppress, they try to support, of course they worry about him, but nevertheless they support him. But I don`t understand his father`s position. I even thought that he made fun of his son. And in conclusion I would like to say that the idea of the story is rather good, but I can`t say that the whole story impresses me.
Dear Nataliia, Thank you for one more story! I understand and share your feelings about it. COOL! It will be OK just to post more and more such stories! Don’t forget to do it soon. Love, A.V.
Generally speaking, I haven’t thought that it is possible to write such an amusing story using only plenty of letters. Probably, the author has extraordinary imagination. That’s why I haven’t even pondered over the structure of the story, being absolutely fascinated by its plot. The plot is simple and uncomplicated, on the one hand, but, on the other hand, it is saturated with unexpected moments (e.g. receiving the First Prize and a trip to Washington DC for the essay). Apparently Robert Richard has a brilliant sense of humour. The clean jokes which are almost in every letter serve not only for entertaining. They allow to think over the way people of different ages, sexes, occupations assess the situation with Norman. Moreover the readers are kept in suspense by the author, being in expectation of something unusual. It is a pity that we are not aware of Norman’s replies to these letters. But even without them the story is worth reading.
Polina Kozlova Absolutely marvelous story! I enjoy epistolary genre as it helps to see the bigger picture of events, as Fowles did in his novel “Maggot”, which I really appreciate because of this technique. This story is saturated with humor and irony in such an exquisite manner the author depicts this simple-hearted deed of a little boy who wants to be in opposition to the society but eventually fails. The most striking thing is the reaction of his relatives: father has chosen the right strategy of behavior and does not irritate his son with different orders and obligations, grandmother simply does not know what is happening maybe either because Norman’s parents do not want to worry her or because she is so crazy about her own problems, his sister as well as dad and mother knows that his rebellion will not last for long and simply exploits the situation. The whole letters illustrate that a person can’t live out of society, that life will simply pass by if you reject to communicate, to participate in different events.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. I am fond of reading such a type of narration as letters, especially when they are not composed only by one person. To my mind, they allow to view deeply the whole situation, from a lot of angles, to plunge into it, as the story is told by different people of different ages, with various ways of thinking, who are in different relations with the main character. The process of reading “Dear Norman” was fluent and fascinating, because the language is not difficult, the plot is not complex, the letters are written in a slightly humorous way, that maintains reader’s interest towards what is going on. This story made me recollect my own troublesome teenage period of life, as Norman’s one, and wonder what letters my parents, relatives, friends could write me. Such kinds of stories in letters, composed by different people around one problem, are the fabulous example of teaching reading comprehension, as far as they do not require a lot of efforts from readers to understand language and plot, these stories keep readers interested in context, they greatly develop imagination.
This is one of the most interesting stories I have ever read. It is really easy to read and thought provoking. Very simple storyline, but fabulous, witty and amusing writing style. The central theme of the story is generation gap between a boy, Norman, and his parents. Unfortunately, we don't know what happened and what the reason for their conflict was. As far as I can understand, the author draws our attention to boy's protest against his own parents.He decides to live on his own without accepting other people's help. The boy's courage to express himself and to defend his own stands is worth praise and respect. The moral of the story is that parents should understand feelings of their children and take into consideration their beliefs. For me, it would be better if this story had a good ending and the family reconciled.
“Dear Norman” is another wonderful story by Robert Richard. It is written in a very unusual and extraordinary manner. The plot itself consists of the letters, which fulfill all the necessary parts of the story. The epistolary genre contributes to the deeper understanding of the conflict by the demonstration of the thoughts and feelings of the every character of the story. The writer sets a common family situation which captivates the reader’s attention. Despite the fact we have no possibility to read Norman’s responses, they are not necessary, as Norman’s feelings are clear through the letters which we can observe. Moreover, I think that the absence of his letters gives the opportunity to the reader to imagine his own variant of the replies. I think that the story contains both external conflict – between parents and a child, and internal one – between the good and the bad boy in Norman’s soul. Robert Richard’s language is humorous, witty and amusing. Speaking about characters, I do appreciate Norman’s parents’ behavior. I think that they have taken up the most accurate position to bring their son back. And, generally, most of the characters arouse up liking to them. Norman, despite his teenage offences, tries to overcome his egoism and to have negotiations with his parents. Beth, his younger sister, to my mind, loves his brother despite all the competitions between them and even finds forces to confess to Norman that she misses him. Norman’s teacher is a real professional, who knows the approach to children. And, finally, Norman’s grandmother is just an old forgotten woman who anyway loves her children and grandchildren and tries to keep in touch with them. I think that this story is worth reading it.
I have read this story for the first time, but the writer presents an unusual story of negotiation. The proposed way to solve the problem makes us smile. It’s interesting to follow the plot and learn what will happen next. Moreover the story has got a lot of psychological moments that are so delicate. According to Norman’s behavior, I can say that it’s some kind of protection and the way to achieve his goal. Norman really needs to get more attraction from his family. To my mind the conflict might become deeper if family put the screw on him but they tried to do the best to support him in any way. In conclusion I would like to say that sometimes the words of support worth all the jewellery of the world.
Excellent, so cute, both funny and psychologically deep. We can easily imagine the portrait of this smart boy. We can even imagine his inner problems – the way he protests against the reality is very brave. Very often having faced any problems we cannot even say about in a loud or just try to escape from them into a cozy virtual computer or TV world. But it‘ll never cure the key reason of the difficulty.It goes without saying that all answers are inside. Norman knew it for sure.He took advantage of the opportunity and will definitely make great progress out of everything he deals with. The boy is wise beyond his years. He is not afraid to give his own view on the problems in such an extraordinary manner. It’s obvious that the ability to stand your ground comes from the family. In his case it was a bit dictatorial. The children are taught only by example and love. But only having learned how to listen to each other we can gain mutual respect and understanding that are basis of every sound family. Having such a strong life-position and learning successfully diplomatic skills, Norman in future is really worth representing people’s rights in the house of parliament, where he is eventually going to go.
9 comments:
I can`t say whether I like this story or not, because I don`t like such type of narration, may be because these are letters, but letters shouldn`t be read in a general public. They are something that belongs only for whom they are written. But in general the author raises very important problems: the problem of self-expression and defending of one`s believes. I don`t understand what the reason was, but to my mind defending owns believes is something good. It means that the person don`t belong to ignorant mass and try to be personality. I like the actions of the family, they don`t try to suppress, they try to support, of course they worry about him, but nevertheless they support him. But I don`t understand his father`s position. I even thought that he made fun of his son. And in conclusion I would like to say that the idea of the story is rather good, but I can`t say that the whole story impresses me.
Dear Nataliia,
Thank you for one more story! I understand and share your feelings about it. COOL! It will be OK just to post more and more such stories! Don’t forget to do it soon.
Love,
A.V.
Generally speaking, I haven’t thought that it is possible to write such an amusing story using only plenty of letters. Probably, the author has extraordinary imagination. That’s why I haven’t even pondered over the structure of the story, being absolutely fascinated by its plot. The plot is simple and uncomplicated, on the one hand, but, on the other hand, it is saturated with unexpected moments (e.g. receiving the First Prize and a trip to Washington DC for the essay). Apparently Robert Richard has a brilliant sense of humour. The clean jokes which are almost in every letter serve not only for entertaining. They allow to think over the way people of different ages, sexes, occupations assess the situation with Norman. Moreover the readers are kept in suspense by the author, being in expectation of something unusual. It is a pity that we are not aware of Norman’s replies to these letters. But even without them the story is worth reading.
Polina Kozlova
Absolutely marvelous story! I enjoy epistolary genre as it helps to see the bigger picture of events, as Fowles did in his novel “Maggot”, which I really appreciate because of this technique. This story is saturated with humor and irony in such an exquisite manner the author depicts this
simple-hearted deed of a little boy who wants to be in opposition to the society but eventually fails. The most striking thing is the reaction of his relatives: father has chosen the right strategy of behavior and does not irritate his son with different orders and obligations, grandmother simply does not know what is happening maybe either because Norman’s parents do not want to worry her or because she is so crazy about her own problems, his sister as well as dad and mother knows that his rebellion will not last for long and simply exploits the situation. The whole letters illustrate that a person can’t live out of society, that life will simply pass by if you reject to communicate, to participate in different events.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. I am fond of reading such a type of narration as letters, especially when they are not composed only by one person. To my mind, they allow to view deeply the whole situation, from a lot of angles, to plunge into it, as the story is told by different people of different ages, with various ways of thinking, who are in different relations with the main character.
The process of reading “Dear Norman” was fluent and fascinating, because the language is not difficult, the plot is not complex, the letters are written in a slightly humorous way, that maintains reader’s interest towards what is going on.
This story made me recollect my own troublesome teenage period of life, as Norman’s one, and wonder what letters my parents, relatives, friends could write me.
Such kinds of stories in letters, composed by different people around one problem, are the fabulous example of teaching reading comprehension, as far as they do not require a lot of efforts from readers to understand language and plot, these stories keep readers interested in context, they greatly develop imagination.
This is one of the most interesting stories I have ever read. It is really easy to read and thought provoking. Very simple storyline, but fabulous, witty and amusing writing style. The central theme of the story is generation gap between a boy, Norman, and his parents. Unfortunately, we don't know what happened and what the reason for their conflict was. As far as I can understand, the author draws our attention to boy's protest against his own parents.He decides to live on his own without accepting other people's help. The boy's courage to express himself and to defend his own stands is worth praise and respect. The moral of the story is that parents should understand feelings of their children and take into consideration their beliefs. For me, it would be better if this story had a good ending and the family reconciled.
“Dear Norman” is another wonderful story by Robert Richard. It is written in a very unusual and extraordinary manner. The plot itself consists of the letters, which fulfill all the necessary parts of the story. The epistolary genre contributes to the deeper understanding of the conflict by the demonstration of the thoughts and feelings of the every character of the story. The writer sets a common family situation which captivates the reader’s attention. Despite the fact we have no possibility to read Norman’s responses, they are not necessary, as Norman’s feelings are clear through the letters which we can observe. Moreover, I think that the absence of his letters gives the opportunity to the reader to imagine his own variant of the replies. I think that the story contains both external conflict – between parents and a child, and internal one – between the good and the bad boy in Norman’s soul. Robert Richard’s language is humorous, witty and amusing. Speaking about characters, I do appreciate Norman’s parents’ behavior. I think that they have taken up the most accurate position to bring their son back. And, generally, most of the characters arouse up liking to them. Norman, despite his teenage offences, tries to overcome his egoism and to have negotiations with his parents. Beth, his younger sister, to my mind, loves his brother despite all the competitions between them and even finds forces to confess to Norman that she misses him. Norman’s teacher is a real professional, who knows the approach to children. And, finally, Norman’s grandmother is just an old forgotten woman who anyway loves her children and grandchildren and tries to keep in touch with them. I think that this story is worth reading it.
I have read this story for the first time, but the writer presents an unusual story of negotiation. The proposed way to solve the problem makes us smile. It’s interesting to follow the plot and learn what will happen next. Moreover the story has got a lot of psychological moments that are so delicate. According to Norman’s behavior, I can say that it’s some kind of protection and the way to achieve his goal. Norman really needs to get more attraction from his family. To my mind the conflict might become deeper if family put the screw on him but they tried to do the best to support him in any way. In conclusion I would like to say that sometimes the words of support worth all the jewellery of the world.
Excellent, so cute, both funny and psychologically deep. We can easily imagine the portrait of this smart boy. We can even imagine his inner problems – the way he protests against the reality is very brave. Very often having faced any problems we cannot even say about in a loud or just try to escape from them into a cozy virtual computer or TV world. But it‘ll never cure the key reason of the difficulty.It goes without saying that all answers are inside. Norman knew it for sure.He took advantage of the opportunity and will definitely make great progress out of everything he deals with. The boy is wise beyond his years. He is not afraid to give his own view on the problems in such an extraordinary manner. It’s obvious that the ability to stand your ground comes from the family. In his case it was a bit dictatorial. The children are taught only by example and love. But only having learned how to listen to each other we can gain mutual respect and understanding that are basis of every sound family. Having such a strong life-position and learning successfully diplomatic skills, Norman in future is really worth representing people’s rights in the house of parliament, where he is eventually going to go.
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