Our Own Kind
Our Own Kind (2013) by Ann Pancake is a classic review short story and non-fiction written as a parody to the continued increase in the writings of vague pressers and authors who do not fulfill a reader’s desires. The story dwells on the feelings of a thirteen-year-old girl whose reaction to every event is considered manly (Pancake 34). While her brother loves the underworld, keeping it to herself and his books, the character is a go-getter and is more active than her brother.
The author presents several themes from the book. They include sexuality and family. Sexuality plays an essential role in the story being the first theme the author presents in the book. She states that his brother is viewed as gay by most people. In one instance, she is asked in school why she is straight, and her brother is not (Pancake 37). She fears that in college, the students would call his brother a fag. However, she does not cast too much clout on the issue but mentions it another two or three times in the story. Family is the central theme of the story. The author expounds on family, giving particular interest in the events that bring the family together (Pancake 39; 42). She describes her mother as committed while her father as hard working. Though she critics her family much, she shows that the bond is excellent despite the constant fighting.
The author provides a new understanding to the reader because of her family. While the story is non-fiction, it gives a real-life reflection of the author’s life and undertakings, providing a definitive understanding of the influence of Ann’s family in the drafting of this story. The author fictionalizes reality to offer a superb blend of realism that is catchy to the reader’s eye and different from the authors she critics