Everything I Never Told You - Chapter 3&4

Book Title: Everything I Never Told You

Author: Celeste NG

Chapter 3&4

Word

fiddle - 1) if you fiddle with an object, you keep moving it or touching it with your fingers

             Sentence: Amy fiddled with a pen on the desk.

            2) if you fiddle with something, you change it in minor ways

             Sentence: She told Whistler that his portrait of her was finished and to stop fiddling with it.

            3) if you fiddle with a machine, you adjust it

             Sentence: He turned on the radio and fiddled with the knob until he got a talk show.

            4) if someone fiddles financial documents, they alter them dishonestly so that they get money for themselves

             Sentence: He's been fiddling the books.

ajar - if a door is ajar, it is slightly open

             Sentence: He left the door ajar in case I needed him.

                              A door to the left stood ajar.

ruminate (on, about, over) - if you ruminate on sth., you think about it very carefully.

             Sentence: It is worth while to ruminate over his remarks.

Reading Response

It makes me feel oppressive when reading this book.

Marylin would like to pursue her study and own career, why couldn't she COMMUNICATE with James? But just leaving a note and then 'gone'.

James understood the feeling of being humiliated by others because of 'his color',  but just saying 'learn to take a joke.' to his son when Nath experienced the same thing. He expected Nath to be stronger and complete sth. he never succeeded. However, it turns out impossible. Nath is a nerd like James himself.

There is no doubt that both Marilyn and James love each other and their children. But the burden they put on themselves is too heavy, and they dared not open their mind to each other or anyone else. As a result, the burden got heavier and heavier, and finally, blast!

I think that's why Marilyn left her family and James slept with his assistant on the day of his daughter's funeral.