Joey

Gokturk

Expository Writing Section 9

“Good Morning Midnight”

 

"Good Morning Midnight" is probably one of the most insightful books I have read to date. The author, Chip Brown, has a very intriguing writing style that keeps the reader interested and entertained. The story itself is a very interesting topic, considering that Guy Waterman, the person whom it is about, is a unique person. Waterman and the setting in which his life takes place in are both fascinating, which when coupled with Chip Brown's remarkable ability for descriptive writing, makes for an outstanding book. Not only will this book teach you about Guy Waterman, but it will also give you insight on life. This is a book that everyone should get around to reading at some point.      

            Imagine you lived a life of inner turmoil and depression. Your family, friends, and marriage relationships are all just sources of stress and hatred. Drugs and alcohol seem to be a tangible escape, but they only bring you further down. The older brother that you once looked up to as a child now prevails over every achievement you have ever had in life. There is no escape from his shadow. It seems as though everything that you have ever attempted, you failed. Even though you work so hard, it is as if there is no natural talent to work off of, therefore the level of those with that gift can never be reached. The only escape is the world around you. Not the confines of society and man, but the natural world that is so powerful yet so overlooked. If you could climb that mountain, traverse that glacier, or camp in that cave, would that make up for everything that has gone wrong? If you were one to ask this question, you would be Guy Waterman. 

            Have you ever had a great day riding all your favorite rides at Six Flags, but you got frustrated because your friend wanted to stay for too long?  That is what it is like reading “Good Morning Midnight.”  It is an amazing story that is told almost perfectly, besides the fact that it seems as if the author wrote for the sake of making words in some places.  On certain topics, there is a point where more description is simply that, just more description.  The most notable instance of this is when the author describes Guy and Laura’s relationship.  He goes into very small details that do not contribute to the impact of the story at all such as small insignificant experiences, which he goes on for pages about.  Besides these instances of prolonged aggravation, Chip Brown does a very good job with his description in most cases.  When speaking of Barra, Guy Waterman’s self made shack of a home, Brown describes it by saying,

“Barra was Waterman’s vision of an idealized life, a life naturalized by weather and shaped by seasons and ruled by ritual and repetition…The quality prized most at Barra was its “tranquility,” but even the great calm of the place, the enfolding sense of order didn’t matter anymore.  None of it could matter if what a man willed into being to exert control over his life could not hold back the chaos at the gates, or the chaos in himself.”  

This is the sort of beautiful language and structure that is used throughout the entire book.  Nothing is written without a true sense of commitment and effort.  The story and theme of this amazing piece of literature can only be matched by the author’s intense and spellbinding writing style.

            If this book could be summed up in one word, it would be inspiring.  You will walk away from it with a feeling of inner change.  It is not something that once you are done you will forget.  The lessons and themes that are dealt with in the book are the same concepts that are weaved into our everyday life.  After reading it, you may find yourself referring back to it often when contemplating your own life.  Anyone that is captivated by the inspiration of nature and the complexity of the minds of men would surely be pleased with this book.