Week 7 Jared Helmic

I am reading the novel, Open, by Andre Agassi. This novel is an autobiography that tells of Andre's struggles as a young boy, through adolescence, and even adulthood. Many of Andre's problems stem from his father, Mike Agassi. Ever since Andre was was born , his father had it planned out that he was going to be the number one tennis player in the world. Andre had no interest in playing tennis but had no choice other then to do as his powerful father said.

Andre relates to Holden because they are both outcasts of society. Holden has no friends, and ultimately nobody to communicate with and connect to other then his sister, Phoebe. Andre's only friend his Perry, a young boy he meets through tennis, and his brother Philly Agassi. Philly understands what Andre has to deal with and so far in the book he has been like a father to Andre, picking him up when he is down and giving him advice. Holden relates to Andre as well because they are both constantly being sent away from their families. Holden is shipped from boarding school to boarding school, not giving a damn about his education. Andre has been shipped off to other countries for tournaments, camps and in the last chapter he was sent to a tennis academy where he will play tennis for half a day and attend a horrid school for the other half.