Ashfall is a 466 page long book by Mike Mullin. Overall, I liked this book. It was not amazing, but still a good read. This book is about what would happen if the supervolcano under Yellowstone National Park actually erupted. The story centers around Alex, whose family had gone on a trip without him that weekend. When the volcano erupts, his main goal becomes to go to Warren, Illinois and find his family. He runs into many obstacles along the way, and meets many new people. I think people should read this book as it shows resilience during disaster, realistic characters, and an interesting setting. I like the way the author shows the general population’s reaction to the volcano’s eruption. Many are scared and do not know what to do, …show more content…
Often, many authors will make major characters seem as if they are superhuman beings without emotion, who will keep chugging on in times of difficulty. Other times, minor characters are either evil or good. This was not the case with Mullin’s novel. Characters speak how average everyday people would, and have feelings average everyday people would. For example, when Alex is badly injured and has to stay with Darla and her mother, Darla voices her annoyance. In other books I’ve read before, once the protagonist is injured and finds help, those people are usually kind and help in any way they can, which is just not completely realistic. Darla acts how a normal teenager would when a new person come into their life and invades their space. Others Alex meet are violent, or try to attack him for food. Mullin makes sure to give them a motive though, and many times, it is one that makes you question if they are really villainous or just desperate. For instance, Alex meets a family at a gas station. The man, Darryl, almost attacks Alex for food, even after being told he doesn't have any. However, Darryl’s actions are not because he wants to attack Alex, it is out of desperosity. As shown, “‘My family and I, we were on our way to Nebraska when it hit. We only had some snacks with us. We’ve barely had any food for a week’” (Mullin 112). It is interesting and likeable that the characters are not just one dimensional, and act as normal people
To have a good story, there must be good characters. Characters help the reader relate to the plot and struggle of the story, as well as creating a picture of the scenes on each page. But what exactly makes a character? What defines their personalities and relatableness to the reader? The way a character thinks, acts, and views the world are influenced, much like in the real world, by the people and places around them. In essence, they are ideas that are forged and refined by the author and other supporting aspects of the story into the living, breathing lenses through which we view the story. In the case of Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford, Henry is our window into the world of wartime Seattle. Through him, we can view
In this selection, author Mike Rose explains his experiences following his mistaken placement in a bottom tier classes. Through this mistake, Rose begins to realize the different attitudes that accompany this bottom level stigma.
He spends a considerable amount of time reflecting on what happened and how it has changed his life forever. Krakauer struggles with survivor's guilt and a redefined view on mortality and addresses questions about events on the mountain that perhaps don't have answers. Krakauer acknowledges and apologizes for any pain or anger his book might arose in the friends and families of victims, but is undeterred from detailing the events, be they heroic, selfish or tragic.
The article I have chosen is the one on how “massive Mega-Quake Could Destroy Pacific Northwest”. The author notes that massive quakes have a magnitude of up to 9.2. It could last four minutes, according to seismologists. It occurs and then a wall of water follows. However, it could take up to fifteen minutes later. Individuals need to be concerned about the risks associated with the massive mega quakes. However, it seems that the people in the potential inundation zone have very little knowledge on the risks involved with mega quakes. Individuals that would be given a chance to live in the Pacific Northwest say that they would think twice. There is the need to offer education and training for the residents of the Pacific Northwest on the need for emergency preparedness and the things that should be done in case of massive mega quakes.
Rash portrays his characters with decency through their hardship to enable the reader to identify with these people who are thought to be so different, but in reality are just trying to survive through hardships like the rest of the
Mike Mullin’s novel Ashfall illustrates a teenage boy named Alex Halprin and his experience during an explosion of the Yellowstone super volcano with Darla Edmunds to survive its aftermath. When the story begins, Alex is living in Cedar Falls, Iowa while his mother, father, and sister go to visit his uncle and family in Warren, Illinois. Alex hides with his neighbors, and then decides to try to find his parents in Warren. Target, a guy that tries to put a group together and is adept with an axe, tries to kill Alex with an axe but he barely escapes, and goes into the barn of the Edmunds, Darla and her mother, Gloria. They all help him back to health because of blood loss from wounds, and he assists them with their farm chores when he is healthy
Volcanoes have always been a mysterious wonder of the world. Volcanoes have shaped the landscape and the very ground that we all live on. People have written stories of their disastrous eruptions, and painted their marvelous shapes on canvas. The essay will outline some of the more famous volcanoes and how they have impacted are history. Mount Vesuvius that destroy the great city of Pompeii, Krakatoa they spewed deadly ash on small village town, and Mount St. Helen, the only volcano in my own country to every erupt during my own time period.
The first time I saw Mt. Rainier for myself, was last summer when my boyfriend and I drove to Washington. It was the most beautiful, peaceful looking mountain I have ever seen. However, underneath it's great beauty, it hides a deadly secret. Mt. Rainier is one of the most dangerous volcanoes that we have here in the United States. One of the reasons it is so dangerous is because of it's great beauty. People enjoy looking at it, and the area that surrounds it, so they have made their homes here. Mt Rainier is not the only volcano I am interested in, in fact this last summer I also went to Mt. St. Helens and Crater Lake. But it is the volcano I chose to research for this paper because it does have so much beauty and at the same time so much power. I already know the basics about volcanoes, how they form, the different types, etc., but I wanted to find out more about what would happen if this great volcano were to erupt, what type of eruption would it be, and how would it affect the people that live around it.
What does the author want readers to learn from this story? How does it help you understand this message?
Winchester takes the time to write multiple accounts of the eruption and writes a variety of perspectives on the event. For example, while sailor’s accounts of the situation started with “white smoke coming from the volcano,” other people such as families on the island felt “the earth shake” first, and then saw “enormous chunks of pumice fall from the sky, “ (213-218). Similar to a puzzle, these detailed accounts of the disaster chosen by Winchester creates a vivid picture of the event when put together. In addition to these accounts, Winchester’s attention to detail adds more depth to the book. Although some may consider the details excessive and overloaded, in my opinion it only adds clarity and is a necessary aspect in the nonfiction genre. Winchester’s attention to detail, such as the background history of the island to the Dutch early occupation of the island, only makes the book a richer reading experience and teaches the reader facts beyond the catastrophe
Although volcanoes are difficult to predict, geologists have made many efforts in order to caution the people of Orting and other surrounding towns of possible lahar slides. Residents have been made aware of emergency response plans and they know the proper precautions to take in the case of a volcanic activity emergency. Sirens have been put in place by the fire department and governing bodies of surrounding communities to detect volcanic activity and warn the community of possible slides.... ... middle of paper ...
An Ember in the Ashes, written by Sabaa Tahir, is the first book in an up and coming dystopian series that follows the lives of two unlikely heroes who live in a cruel Empirical world. Laia is a simple lower class girl who loses what little family she has after her grandparents are killed and her brother is arrested. Elias is the finest student in a school that is training its students to become lethal killers, though he does not wish to take the same path as his comrades. Fate forces them together in an epic tale of bravery, betrayal and love that will change the face of the Empire forever. To carry out this tale, Tahir uses a mix of dualism and man versing his own inner demons to show how freedom comes when you take it, for both the soldier and the slave.
Although each character is very different in their own way, O 'Connors uses each character to show a sense of kindness, struggle, and moment of clarity. Sometimes these characters are bizarre and eccentric, but each in their own individual way. A Good Man is Hard
Throughout almost the whole account the reader can perceive a tone of desperation as the main character
Firstly, I liked the way in which the author uses his experiences to relate ...