A classic This American Life Piece that really makes you think. It weaves the loss of a family, the building of new traditions, and the way life changes and grows in a way that is quite unique. Definately a must listen to.
A story of a young woman's realtionship with her father -- and the divorce of her parents -- told in in the context of the big puzzles they pieced together at Christmas time. Her narration is candid and lucid... her father is articulate as he responds to her questions about the challenge of putting together some very large puzzles.
I found the most compelling moment to be the discussion of whether or not something is a tradition if only one person carries on with it... or is it just a habit? Her father needles her about spending less time with him around Christmas. His reaction to the giant puzzle with which she gifts him is also a great moment -- "Are you out of your mind?" He asks her to return it but she -- and I -- were uncertain if he meant it.
I enjoyed this meditation on puzzles, pieces, and the tension of growing up and apart from one's parents... and the guilt that comes with holiday times. The puzzle metaphores were over occaisionally overraught, but this didn't detract from my poignance of this situations.
I like to hear people talking so effortlessly about "my Dad." So much of what I hear about Dad's is that they are deadbeats, aren't pulling their weight, or are in some way responsible for the demise of the family. Well, a lot of times they (we?) are. But, it's good to hear these stories about Dads where he's a loved man, a good guy.
I heard this piece originally on Transom, and it's a good one, worthy of any time slot it can be given. Michelle covers a lot of how the story came about on Transom.org (http://www.transom.org/shows/2004/200401_ofapiece.html). I like the fact that her narration is unscripted. I'm not sure I can easily identify what it does exactly, maybe it gives it a continuous spontaneity, instead of only being spontaneous during the interview points. Some of the tape is noisy, but it's put together well and gives a different perspective on Father's Day.
There are some honest moments in this piece. This isn't about puzzles, really, it's about a relationship that uses puzzles as the MacGuffin.
Definitively the kind of piece I'd like to hear on the radio. Both Michelle and her father are consumed with the struggle to make "order out of chaos" and the jigsaw puzzles become a symbol of as well the literal place where their struggles meet. It's a look at puzzles of all kinds--one woman's relationship with her father reveals a host of other truths about family and divorce, about tradition and what it does or doesn't mean, and ultimately about what lasts--what survives the failures of love. Eloquently, wittily and compellingly structured, told and scored.
A nicely crafted story that is all about everything its producers say it is: family, commitment, obsession, and even a glimpse of what makes these two genuinely likeable people tick. And for me, that glimpse is how it passes the "so what?" test. The metaphor of putting together puzzles and putting together lives is an apt one, and the producer was ever so wise in keeping it subtle. And the touches of music were masterful.
This piece is a good argument in favor of stations setting aside some regular program schedule time for documentaries and features meant for close listening by folks gathered around a radio.
Comments for Of A Piece
Produced by Michelle Orange with Jay Allison
Other pieces by Michelle Orange
Rating Summary
5 comments
Greg Demetrick
Posted on June 15, 2004 at 09:45 AM | Permalink
Review of 'Of A Piece'
A classic This American Life Piece that really makes you think. It weaves the loss of a family, the building of new traditions, and the way life changes and grows in a way that is quite unique. Definately a must listen to.
Wil Taylor
Posted on June 14, 2004 at 06:39 PM | Permalink
Review of Of A Piece
A story of a young woman's realtionship with her father -- and the divorce of her parents -- told in in the context of the big puzzles they pieced together at Christmas time. Her narration is candid and lucid... her father is articulate as he responds to her questions about the challenge of putting together some very large puzzles.
I found the most compelling moment to be the discussion of whether or not something is a tradition if only one person carries on with it... or is it just a habit? Her father needles her about spending less time with him around Christmas. His reaction to the giant puzzle with which she gifts him is also a great moment -- "Are you out of your mind?" He asks her to return it but she -- and I -- were uncertain if he meant it.
I enjoyed this meditation on puzzles, pieces, and the tension of growing up and apart from one's parents... and the guilt that comes with holiday times. The puzzle metaphores were over occaisionally overraught, but this didn't detract from my poignance of this situations.
Hans Anderson
Posted on June 14, 2004 at 07:55 AM | Permalink
Review of Of A Piece
I heard this piece originally on Transom, and it's a good one, worthy of any time slot it can be given. Michelle covers a lot of how the story came about on Transom.org (http://www.transom.org/shows/2004/200401_ofapiece.html). I like the fact that her narration is unscripted. I'm not sure I can easily identify what it does exactly, maybe it gives it a continuous spontaneity, instead of only being spontaneous during the interview points. Some of the tape is noisy, but it's put together well and gives a different perspective on Father's Day.
There are some honest moments in this piece. This isn't about puzzles, really, it's about a relationship that uses puzzles as the MacGuffin.
Sue Mell
Posted on March 09, 2004 at 04:44 AM | Permalink
Review of Of A Piece
Definitively the kind of piece I'd like to hear on the radio. Both Michelle and her father are consumed with the struggle to make "order out of chaos" and the jigsaw puzzles become a symbol of as well the literal place where their struggles meet. It's a look at puzzles of all kinds--one woman's relationship with her father reveals a host of other truths about family and divorce, about tradition and what it does or doesn't mean, and ultimately about what lasts--what survives the failures of love. Eloquently, wittily and compellingly structured, told and scored.
Phil Easley
Posted on February 05, 2004 at 11:40 AM | Permalink
Review of Of A Piece
Clever but not contrived, sweet but not sappy.
A nicely crafted story that is all about everything its producers say it is: family, commitment, obsession, and even a glimpse of what makes these two genuinely likeable people tick. And for me, that glimpse is how it passes the "so what?" test. The metaphor of putting together puzzles and putting together lives is an apt one, and the producer was ever so wise in keeping it subtle. And the touches of music were masterful.
This piece is a good argument in favor of stations setting aside some regular program schedule time for documentaries and features meant for close listening by folks gathered around a radio.