On January 20, the film adaptation of Extremely Loud + Incredibly Close will be released nationwide. The story, written by Jonathan Safran Foer, follows nine-year-old Oskar Schell through the boroughs of New York on his very own grief journey.
Oskar’s father was killed during the attacks on 9/11, but this book (and now the movie) is not about 9/11. It explores the raw emotions that come with grief and the difficulty in navigating life without that person. There are times when Foer’s story loses its way in far-fetched subplots and confusing storylines, but finds its way when Oskar is the focus.
The book is at its best when Foer transports the reader into the mind of Oskar and allows you to feel his pain, joy, frustration, and hope.
I look forward to seeing if the movie can translate the magic of Oskar onto the big screen, and of course, I recommend reading the book before you see the movie.
Would you like to share your story? Please get in touch with Kate's Club! KC has free grief support with grief resources, grief counseling resources, grief training, and volunteer work in Atlanta and surrounding places in Georgia. Kate's Club is a growing nonprofit in Atlanta with grief specialists for kids and young adults going through bereavement. Our goal is to make a world where it is okay to grieve.