Roxane Gay uses the powerful tool of nostalgia in order to connect with her audience and show the power of books as an escape from reality. Gay's nostalgia stems from the Sweet Valley High books, but many readers may be able to feel empathy for her by reminiscing their own nostalgic childhood favorites like the Hardy Boys, Nancy Drew, Magic Tree House, Chronicles of Narnia or other such series.
Gay used the Sweet Valley High books to escape her less-than-perfect reality. She experienced bullying for her looks and her parents accents, and didn't fit in with her school. While reading she was able to feel relief and a sense of belonging. By joining the world of Elizabeth and Jessica she was no longer a lonely and awkward cross-eyed girl, but instead popular and carefree.
By using books we too can travel into different worlds and times and experience what the author envisions. The value of this escape though is not only stress relief. Some novels are made from a particular viewpoint influenced by the time and region they were created. By "escaping" our own world we can gain insights into another place or and their way of life.
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