She describes her mouth scrubbed out with soap as "the violence / of generational silence / brutally handed down." Her condemnation of childhood punishment is broadened in this phrase to reflect how deeply engrained violence – and the acceptance of violence – is within our cultural norms. Halse Anderson's phrases are like a hard candy with flavors that can be savored long after the pages are turned. Verse is such an effective structure because the relative sparsity of words versus prose gives each word greater impact. Rhythm and repetition often add power to the verse and instill a greater meaning, like the cyclicity of violence or the ripple effect that speaking out about personal trauma can have on others' recoveries. The poetry is visceral and begs to be read aloud – fitting for a piece named Shout. Structurally, it is broken into three numbered sections, each with named free verse poems that vary in length but generally span one to three pages. Shout is both a memoir and a collection of free verse. For those who have read her earlier work, references and imagery are sprinkled throughout that enhance the understanding of her writing process and the truth from which her fiction arises. While Shout acts in conversation with Speak, readers do not have to read Speak in order to appreciate the beauty of Halse Anderson's verse and the power of her words. Both banned and awarded, Speak opened doors everywhere for broader conversations about sexual assault. Laurie Halse Anderson broke boundaries with her YA novel, Speak, which debuted in 1999. Too many grownups tell kids to follow theirĪunt Laurie says follow your nightmares insteadĬause when you figure out what’s eating you aliveįor more insight into the work of Laurie Halse Anderson, check out this interview with her on the 15th anniversary of Speak, her conversation with Courtney Summers on the power of girls’ stories, and dig into a discussion of censorship.Laurie Halse Anderson delivers a memoir in free verse that definitively proves how powerful shouting your story can be. Most relationships come with expiration dates Once broken, we’re easily hurt again, or worse
Scars may look stronger than unwounded skin
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