Missing May

By: Cynthia Rylant

I really enjoyed reading this sad, sad story. I liked it a lot better than Van Gogh Cafe by Rylant though this book was much, much sadder and depressing. First of all, where Ob and Summer live really seems depressing. They live in a trailer and it doesn't seem like too many people are around. It feels very lonely-the whole story, in fact, feels lonely. There really doesn't seem like there's anything for Ob and Summer to look forward to ever since May passed away. I know how hard it is to lose someone very close to you. I spoke of my grandfather's death on another post of mine so I don't want to describe it again because it'll get me teary-eyed! I can so relate to Ob and Summer's emotional distress.

I'm really glad Summer and Ob finally felt ready to move on. It takes time, but during the story, it seemed like Ob was going to be depressed forever. I actually feel a little guilty about saying that because I've never lost a spouse and I can't imagine how that would feel. My fiance is a firefighter so he has a very dangerous job. It makes me nervous and I never want to be in that situation. So, since I've never experienced it, I can't really judge Ob for his lack of motivation.

Cletus is an odd character, but his obsession with pictures fascinated me. I like when he says, "Anything with a story to it." I'm kind of a pack-rat (though I try very hard not to be.) It's hard to give up something you find interesting. If Cletus sees an interesting picture, he keeps it and I think that's cool.

I also thought May was a very special girl who cared about her uncle's well-being so much. On page 24, May thinks, "Ob needed somebody to fill the empty hole she [May] left, and I reckon if I aged about fifty years, I might could fill it for him." I thought she was very caring and wise beyond her years to want to "fix" the problem and get Ob feeling happy again.

I thought this was a genuinely sad story, but anyone who has lost a loved one could relate.