The suspense that Amy Bloom sets up through the vivid introduction of the piece augments all the events that followed. I really enjoyed this story because it often consisted of long, strung together thoughts with very vivid detail. I always appreciate when an author can perfectly paint the scene in my mind and I feel as though Bloom does this well. She progresses through the course of events of Rose's demise at a pace that I see as appropriate to the course of Rose's disease. Some parts were sped through and little detail was included with fact, while other parts were intricate and descriptive. This correlates to the course of Rose's disease because, at times, she was okay in the homes and centers, where, other times, she caused turmoil and trouble for her family and days trekked by like months. Bloom sets this up well through the narration of her story by using vivid details and an effective form of flashback. Moore introduces the conclusion of the story initially, forcing the reader to thirst for its fulfillment. The reader is satisfied, though sad, by the end of the story because all mystery is gradually resolved. I really enjoyed this short story.
Also, the title is really cool in hindsight.
I never thought of the fast forwarding of time to mirror Rose's mental illness. The okay times and the not so good events that occurred because of Rose were skimmed over so as to give the reader a chance to fill in the blanks. The good moments are slowed down and give the readers a chance to breathe and give the family a chance to show off their quirks and character.
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