What are the benefits of creating and consuming art?
Funny story: A few days before writing this review, I stumbled on J.R.R. Talkin’s video essay What Was The Office All About? I thought Michael Schur’s sitcom The Office was fine, if too cringe for me, but out of curiosity I decided to watch the video. And just a few minutes in, I heard the thesis described in a way that changed my entire outlook on the show: “There is beauty in everyday life if you open your eyes to it.”
This line is also the thesis for Gary D. Schmidt’s 2011 novel Okay For Now.
A spinoff of Schmidt’s book Wednesday Wars, Okay For Now is the story of Doug Swieteck navigating eighth grade after moving to a new town. Between his abusive father, his brother’s reputation for trouble-making, and most of the town thinking he’ll never amount to anything, Doug isn’t optimistic. But a spontaneous trip to the library introduces him to John James Audubon’s book Birds of America, and it changes everything.
One of the first things that stands out to me about this book is the narrative structure. Schmidt makes the same narrative choice he did for his other YA novels (first person past tense), but here Doug’s narrative voice is far more immersive, entrenching readers into exactly what he’s thinking and how he’s feeling. Even if you don’t know exactly what he’s going through, you’re with him through all of it, the good and the bad.
The way Doug speaks directly to readers is also interesting. Sometimes he doesn’t trust that his audience is paying attention, or caring about what he’s going through. Sometimes, there’s information he refuses to reveal until later, such as why he’s uncomfortable removing his shirt or what the school principal said to him.
“Once, it was the only thing I ever owned that hadn’t belonged to some other Swieteck before me. I know. That means a big fat zero to anyone else.”
The main problem I have with the book is, I thought some of Doug’s biggest abusers are forgiven a little too easily. Principal Peattie, at least, apologizes and takes accountability for what he said to Doug. And Doug’s father does make up for some of the ways he treated his sons. But given how cruel the father was—especially to Doug—it would’ve been good if the story acknowledged that he has a lot of work to do in repairing his relationship with his family. There’s also no apology or accountability from Coach Reed, who not only ripped off Doug’s shirt when he clearly didn’t want to go shirtless, but also purposefully used Doug’s trauma to get him to lash out.
Having gone over the negative points of the book, it’s worth going over Okay For Now’s central theme: the impact that art can leave on our lives. Doug interacts with many of Audubon’s paintings over the course of the book, but the one that leaves the biggest impact on him is the first one he sees, The Arctic Tern. We interpret art based on where we are in life and how we feel about it. And you never forget something that makes you feel seen in a way that you hadn’t before.
But of course, the consumption of art is only half the impact. The rest comes from Doug learning how to create art himself. Not only does it open his eyes to what he’s capable of, but it also gives him something to take pride in, something he hasn’t had until the events of the book. And as he gains confidence, his ability to connect with the other people in town improves too. His life isn’t perfect at the end of the book, but he’s at a point where he feels more at home than he’s ever been.
A growing number of people are starting to realize how much better our lives become when we create and consume art, if for no one’s benefit but our own. In making creative expression a part of our lives, it becomes easier to find beauty and goodness in things that others would overlook. We see this played out in Okay For Now. Not only does art provide Doug an escape from his struggles, but it also gives him the confidence he needs to confront them. As his story does for those who read it.
Final rating: 4.3 out of 5
Many thanks for reading.
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