Good evening everybody, guess who’s back? I finished Lau’s diary a while back but just haven’t put in the effort to get this thing done. Nothing new with me besides the fact that I’m working at an organic grocery store from a BC company called Pomme. I’m a cashier and I’ve been learning to appreciate all natural food. I strongly recommend checking it out if you live in the Tri-Cities.
At the age of six, Evelyn Lau already knew what she wanted from life – to be a writer. Frustrated and discouraged by her parents, who forbade her to ‘waste’ valuable study time writing, Evelyn ran away at the age of fourteen. Seduced by the freedom and independence that life on the streets of Vancouver seemed to offer, she was soon trapped in a downward spiral of drug addiction and prostitution. During her two harrowing years on the street, Lau’s writing ambition never left her; almost obsessively, she kept a written record of her days on the street. This record is Runaway: Diary of a Street Kid.
Lau’s writing at the beginning of her teenage years is exceptional for somebody of her age. Her style changes from formal to poetic depending on what mood she’s in and trust me her mood swings are few and far in between. Here is a brief quote from when Lau receives a letter back from a publisher:
'The rain has left water diamonds hanging from each bare branch. Somebody else’s fingers tear open the battered manila envelope. I examine her hands curiously, the chewed painted nails. Like a drowning person my eyes beseech the blameless pages…’ (Page 142)
One of the strongest focuses in the diary is writing and Lau’s passion for it. Writing is the only stable/routine thing that she keeps consistent in her life on the streets. When she writes it is an escape and a comfort to herself. The diary improves Lau’s writing as well as helps her get through rough times.
Like Nomi in A Complicated Kindness, readers may not sympathise with Lau even though she is a troubled teen going through irregular circumstances. The reason being this: she constantly pushes people who care about her away, delves deeper into drugs and starts prostituting. Running away seems to be her only solution to the pressures of people around her.
Overall I really enjoyed reading this book, it’s eerie to go driving in Vancouver and pass the streets that Evelyn once stood in her get up. It forces the thought that there are more girls out there right now just like Lau to the front of my mind. This diary has made me more aware even when enjoying myself downtown. She has quite a journey, finding herself, choosing her writing over anything else, and rooting out her deepest problems.
I’m going to give this one a 3.5 OUT OF 5. The poetic bits of writing throughout the diary were my favourite part and I thought Lau structured her life events well on paper. Smooth reading. Here is an interview of her if you’re from Canada, BC, or Vancouver and want to learn more about a local author! http://www.januarymagazine.com/profiles/lau.html
I’ll TTYL, I’ve got more stuff to read and write.
- MRR
