Jewel: Pieces Of A Shattered Dream :: essays research papers

My opinion of the book mentioned above is that it is extremely well written and inhibits several unique characteristics. The typical biography or autobiography is written in a sober manner, such that the reader is completely bored by the events of the life of the subject. The author Kristen Kemp, wrote this book so that the audience is excited and anxious to discover what happens in the next chapter in the life of the specified individual. An example of the authors exciting style of writing is evident in this quote referring to Jewel's acceptance to Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan; "Just like that, Jewel set out for, possible, her most life changing journey of all." That statement could have been written so that it simply stated that Jewel was going to attend that academy, however, due to Kristen Kemp's writing style, the statement kept me excited to read another chapter. I think that Jewel's life was full of outstanding events that were interesting to read about. I'm glad that I chose this book as compared to other biographies based upon a less eventful life. There were extreme high points in her life, "It was like overnight that Jewel discovered happiness while riding around in a VW van." These times incorporated happiness into the reading, while the low ones "Despite her efforts to make herself feel better, she couldn't escape some of her problems" established sympathy. A variety of mixed emotions are the key ingredient in making a making a reader become involved in the story line. Jewel Kilcher was born on May 23, 1974, and grew up in Homer, Alaska. She lived with her parents and two brothers in a house on an extremely large plot of land. Their house had no TV or running water. Having no running water meant no shower and no indoor plumbing, just an outhouse in the yard. Growing up, Jewel helped take care of the horses that her family raised. She also hayed and worked in the family's garden with her father. Both, her father and mother, were extremely musically inclined and performed all over Alaska. When Jewel was six, she was singing and traveling with them. She acquired an amazing ability to yodel at this age, and soon this became a regular accompaniment with her parents. A few years later, Jewel's parents divorced. She still traveled with her father every once in a while for seven more years.