Week 12 Prompt: Reader’s Advisory Matrix for "Small Sacrifices" by Ann Rule
Reader’s Advisory Matrix for Small Sacrifices by Ann Rule
1. Where is the book on the narrative continuum?
a. A mix of narrative and fact-based
2. What is the subject of the book?
a. Crime journalist Ann Rule details the story of Diane Downs, a young mother who shot her three children point blank.
3. What type of book is it?
a. A biography/case study
4. Articulate appeal
a. What is the pacing of the book? Slow and measured, incredibly detailed.
b. Describe the characters of the book.
Diane: the mother and focus of the story
Steve: Diane’s ex-husband and father of her children
Cheryl, Christie, and Danny: the victims (Diane’s children)
Fred Hugi: the officer on duty at the time of the crime
Doug Welch and Dick Tracy: the criminal investigators
c. How does the story feel? Ominous, with a current of dread/darkness throughout; but also clinical, in reference to facts and figures.
d. What is the intent of the author? To give a complete, accurate account of Diane’s life and what led up to the shooting of her children.
e. What is the focus of the story? The life of Diane leading up to the shooting, as it pertains, and then the trial following the event.
f. Does the language matter? Not particularly.
g. Is the setting important and well described? Only in that it’s such a ghastly crime for such a “small town” in America.
h. Are there details and, if so, of what? There are countless details; almost too many. All about Diane’s life, who she associated with, what her childhood was like; and then going over the events of the crime itself countless times, and the things Diane said copied down word-for-word. She tended to babble.
i. Are there sufficient charts and other graphic materials? In my copy of the book there is a collection of photos in the middle; of Diane, her children, a happy family photo; then the crime scene, Diane’s mug shot, and some court photos.
j. Does the book stress moments of learning, understanding, or experience? Yes; we learn about Diane and the crime itself, understand the factors that led her to committing such a heinous crime, and experiencing the night of the crime itself as well as the criminal trial.
5. Why would a reader enjoy this book?
a. Learning/experiencing
b. Detail
c. Drama
I like that you mentioned that the language does not matter for this book. I was actually wondering if there were any non-fiction books where language does not matter. If the tone was more light, however, I wonder if that could have affected the credibility of the author.
ReplyDeleteI took it to mean the language it's printed in - like English vs. Spanish. But I absolutely agree with you on the kind of language used; this book wouldn't work if the incorrect tone were used.
DeleteTiffany, I took that question to mean whether the language mattered in terms of like, sensitive topics. Like, does the book use language that stigmatizes women and people with mental illnesses or trauma and make it seem like we are all violent? I haven't read this book so I don't know if that is handled with care or not. It's possible I misread the question though. Actually, the idea of whether language matters could be a fascinating one. Consider that books that are translated may lose context or part of the meaning or may be straight up mistranslated, either intentionally or not, and many people would have no idea (if you're ready for a laugh, look up the Icelandic translation of Dracula).
DeleteI don't often read crime books, but you make this one sound interesting! Also interesting that you said language doesn't matter.
ReplyDeleteAnn Rule is the queen of true crime journalism! I think her best-known book is the one about Ted Bundy because she actually knew him personally.
DeleteI mentioned this above to Tiffany just now, but I interpreted the language question as referring to what language the book is printed in. If we are talking more about style and tone, my answer would be different.