Lost in the Story

In the past, the reading of great classic novels was the only way stories could be enjoyed by people. Books were difficult to come by for the average person and to have a collection of books was usually only available to the more affluent. To read a story in a book was an escape comparable to our modern society of going to the movies. But unlike the usual scenes in movies, books stimulated the mind in ways that motion pictures could not. The written word thrust upon the reader the responsibility of creating images and the other senses. I call this the TNT effect. The words Tantalize the mind aNd Tickle the imagination. Curling up beside a fireplace, candle, or a lantern with a book to experience a story and even to be part of it enhanced lives because many had mundane or difficult existences. Great novels in the past used words like a paintbrush to manifest a world full of emotions, dreams, and travels. In recent times, with the advent of technology in making motion pictures, television shows, computer games, and electronic books, the richness of the written word in a beautifully bound book has declined and the brilliance of description has withered. Students growing up, even adults, tend to read sterile eighth grade level books and articles, even if they read that much at all. This is why reading comprehension and writing skills have declined in our nation. Many book stores, including major ones, have closed. The little book shops around the corner are becoming extinct. I depicted a scene in my drawing which reflects on a time in the past. The young lady, who is reading, is from an earlier time in history. As she reads some novel, she becomes lost in the story. In the background is a book shelf with some classic novels. The candle represents the illumination that books bring us from ignorance into knowledge. The glass of water represents the clarity of thought in the mind that beautifully written words can reveal. "Lost in the Story" is a tribute to avid readers who still love and experience classic novels.