I found the time frame of Laurie Sandell's "the Impostor's Daughter" to be refreshing. Typically, when I think of a coming of age story, the first thing that comes to mind is adolescence. I was thankful that Sandell carried her coming of age story through to a time in her life when she felt she had not only resolved some of her personal conflicts reflected in the book, but also a place where she felt comfortable with who she had become. She truly had, for lack of better words, come of age. I think it important that the reader be able to understand the aspects that help shape the character, in this case the very real Laurie Sandell. And while I have a natural aversion to tales of "daddy issues," I found the parallels between Sandell and both her parents to be unmistakable and believable.
It is clear to me in the beginning, that the child Laurie Sandell is somewhat afflicted. Even though she idolizes her father, it is obvious from her cartoons that something is a bit off. The second panel down on page 20 is particularly disturbing, an image of her father apparently pleased to discover a room of showering women. A panel on the following page features another one of these cartoons, this one with a wall hanging that reads "sex is beutiful"(spelling as seen in text). Coupled with the other unconventional parenting habits (playing with knives and awarding merits to unearned accomplishments), it is clear that Miss Sandell is in for a rocky ride as she progresses into her teens and further as an adult.
A lot of the focus seems to lay in her father's dishonesty, starting with the title and carrying throughout the memoir, yet I feel that Sandell's strange sexual interests and intimacy inhibitions are equally key in her outcome, though the topic may be more subdued. Because the cartoons she did as a child showcase these perhaps inappropriate sexual ideas before she has lost admiration and trust for her father, I am led to believe that this affliction plays an equal role in her troubles later. While she repeatedly refers to her trouble with men as a result of her father's dishonesty and consequently her lack of trust in men, I think that these possible sexual disturbances affect her relationships as well.
You connect to the events of the story well, and see thematic nuances, much of which we will talk about in class. Thanks for that. I do think the father as the foil in her life is a narrow pivot, so let's see how this plays out in class discussion.
ReplyDeletee
On my first read I didn't pay too much attention to her drawings as a kid, but looking back at them it makes sense that they are slightly disturbed. The drawings do help to point out how encompassing of a presence her father was. The one where his head is about half the frame is sort of intense because she seems to be making such a poignant statement, despite how young she is. It was interesting that you noticed that she these drawings were from the period before she started questioning her father, because as far as she knows he hasn't lied.. yet!
ReplyDeleteLucy
She highlights her father's sexuality in most of her childhood drawings. Interesting that the parent-child dynamic allowed for/solicited such cheeky commentary from their daughter. Kind of shocking that she would share the drawings of her mother with her mother. The one of mother drowning in her own passivity while the sexy and powerful Giulia looks on, especially. The mother's reactions to them is glossed over. Yet another sign of her complete inability to assert herself.
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