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Jun 08, 2015librarylizzard rated this title 5 out of 5 stars
I was blown away by the vastness and quality of the writing left behind by Marina Keegan. The knowledge that she passed away at 22, before fully pursuing her dreams, is devastating. From her writing you can tell that she was a firecracker full of passion and energy, something Anne Fadiman makes clear in the intro. The thought of what Marina might have accomplished if she lived is exceptionally sad. Sure, much of the fiction centers on angsty young folks, but it was well written and made me feel nostalgic for my college years. There are also a few stories written from much different perspectives, and it's to Marina's credit that they don't come off as false or contrived. You get the feeling that Marina extrapolated a lot of her own feelings and experiences into her writing. The nonfiction, is chock full of spot-on observations and deep, nagging questions (Why will people pay thousands of dollars to save beached whales but turn their noses at the homeless? Why do 25% of Yale graduates end up in finance and consulting when few ever claim to be interested in those professions?). Overall the unbridled excitement, determination and hope for the future is what charmed me and left me feeling sweetly sad.