Caroline L.
Letters About Literature '99
Finalist
Level II
Dear Mr. F. Paul Wilson and Matthew J. Costello,
Putting exactly into words how much your book, Mirage, inspired me is almost impossible.
I can hardly describe how much I loved and enjoyed it. It was truly a fascinating story
full of new and exciting concepts that I'd never really thought about, or even imagined
for that matter. To think that a device could someday be made, capable of reading someone's
memories is incredible to me, and Julie Gordon was the perfect character. She was so
wholesome and good natured, it was easy to see how she would want to help people. I really
enjoyed discovering how much Julie and I are alike. I sometimes feel as though I don't
belong, and knowing that there's someone like me made the book much more interesting because
it was though I was looking through a mirror - a perfect reflection of my own soul. Besides
our kindred spirits, the two aspects of the story that paralleled my life the most were the
relationship between Julie and Samantha Gordon, and the idea that we are our memories.
One of the ideas in the story that I particularly connected with was the sibling rivalry
between Julie and Samantha. Even though their father, Nathan, manipulated their brains
to isolate certain functions, Julie was always the brainy, reserved sister, while twin
Samantha was the artistic, outgoing one. And yet, even though they were complete opposites,
they were still there for each other when one was in need of help. This could not be more
like the relationship I have with my brother. We are so different form one another that
it's sometimes scary. While I work hard and get good grades, my brother, Sebastien, isn't
quite so interested in school and so doesn't do so well. But what Sebastien lacks in school,
he makes up for in real life. He has always been extremely friendly and has no problem
meeting people. People seem to flock to him like sheep and he knows how to read them.
I, on the other hand, am unnaturally shy. I have difficulty opening up to people because
I'm so afraid of being ridiculed, so making friends takes much longer. I readily admit
that I have always resented my brother for his popularity, somewhat like the jealousy
Julie had for Samantha. Because Sebastien finds his niche so much faster than I do, I
sometimes wish I could be more like him.
My brother and I also have severely contrasting personalities, exactly like Sam and Julie.
He is messy and listens to heavy-metal music, while I am immaculately clean and like jazz.
My friends consist mostly of what people call "science geeks," while Sebastien's friends
are the "smoking trouble-makers." These differences in character often lead to heated
arguments. There are a lot of punches given from both sides, I can tell you that. But,
similar to Sam and Julie, whenever one of us is in trouble, the other will help in a second.
Even though my brother and I disagree on pretty much everything, and have had fights that
would make Desert Storm look like a day at the beach, I love him to death. He is one of
my closest friends and I don't know what I would do if I didn't have him looking over my
shoulder, protecting me against the evils of the world. Your book helped me realize what
a unique relationship I have with Sebastien - a relationship I should cherish, and one
that I shall appreciate for life.
Besides the blossoming friendship between Julie and her sister, Samantha,
my favorite idea in the book was that we are our memories and that our memories
are what make us whole. This facet of the story really hit me hard. I have always
felt linked to my memories. They are my most prized possessions because, being part
of a military family, I haven't had the luxury of knowing the same friends since
kindergarten. I often sit back and listen to my friends recount the many things they
have done together while growing up, and I can say nothing because I haven't been there
to experience it. It sometimes saddens me to know that I don't really have anyone with
whom to share all my experiences, but just thinking about all of the wonderful things that
I've done makes me happy again. I wouldn't give up my life for anything on the face of
the earth. Although I don't enjoy moving, I have never regretted the wonderful adventures
I've had, nor the great people I've been fortunate enough to meet. Your book helped me
realized what a precious gift my memories are. They are as much a part of me and my soul
as a petal is part of a tulip. Your book also helped me realize how fragile memories are,
and how easily they can be altered or forgotten. I really enjoyed the scenes in the book
when Julie was inside Samantha's memoryscape. It was truly exciting to see your
perceptions on how memories are organized. I had always thought of memories as
being files that are arranged in a filing cabinet, waiting to be opened. But your
idea of memories as parallel universes was much more beautiful and romantic. I enjoyed
seeing how abstract the memories were, and I relished to read about both the good and the
bad memories. It was also interesting to witness how Samantha's memories were decaying
and to see how she suppressed memories that she subconsciously could not allow herself to
access.
Your book helped me realize the importance of my family and my memories.
The lessons I learned from your book are not lessons that will help me greatly
in a classroom, but they are by far the most valuable lessons that I will be able
to apply in my life, which is what truly matters in the long run.
Very sincerely yours
Caroline LeBlanc
12th grade
Chugiak High School, Chugiak
Teacher: Rhonda Gardner
A Little about Caroline:
My name is Caroline LeBlanc, and I am 18 years old.
I was born in Ontario, Canada, and have been living in Alaska for the past
four years because of my Dad's job (I'm a military brat). In my spare time,
I enjoy sports such as running, hiking, swimming, and ultimate frisbee,
as well as reading, painting, and sewing. Next year, I will be attending
Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, where I will major in Biology.
I enjoy reading books of all sorts, but I really like mystery novels,
especially those of Agatha Christie.
I thank you so much for this wonderful honor.
Very sincerely,
Caroline LeBlanc