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A Long Way Home By Saroo Brierley, "I went along the water's edge…

- - - - Outside of people who may be in a similar circumstance as the main character in non-fiction stories, there is always a group who will sympathize with the events. People have morals, and when it comes to reading about real-life events like Saroo's case, they would surely be moved. The idea that children could be kidnapped straight out of a place where they should be protected can be revolting to the point where the reader decides to go out into the world and change the culture there so kids don't have to go through that trauma.
    - - The experiences that non-fiction opens up readers to are vital when considering inspiration for change within readers. When first reading this passage, readers will condemn the baseball mom because they realize the unjustness. However, if the reader pauses to think, they can realize that they might do the same thing themselves; inflicting their biases without actually considering the person they are judging. No person or reader likes being a hypocrite, so there is bound to be a change in perspective within the reader. Without quotes like these in non-fiction it would be harder for the reader to improve upon themselves.
    - - A majority of people who are adopted cross countries tend to struggle with their purpose or position in life. Reading non-fiction can encourage those people to go out and search for their families. The reader will feel a kinship to Saroo because of their circumstances and be moved through comradery to complete the mission of finding their parents 'along side' Saroo. This can happen in not just A Long Way Home, but other non-fiction readings because every non-fiction story represents a real life person.
- - - - Like most non-fiction, Saroo's story provides a perspective most on the other end would want to know when it comes to empathy in real life. The mom didn't know that her child was struggling with that conflict, but she chose to have empathy and was glad for his situation even though she might have wanted it to happen differently. Readers can read non-fiction where characters act with empathy and internalize how they should be going about those conversations. Having examples like Saroo's mom will help the readers then be less selfish or self-obsorbed.
    - - Similar to many other strangers in non-fiction books, this one played a major role in Saroo's life. When reading this, the reader will be inclined to remember that good act in the future because it was such a pivotal point in the book. The stranger is showing us that empathy to someone who may not even speak the same language as you can drastically change their life. Philosophy like this will develop the reader to understanding empathy on a new scale.
    - - Non-fiction often opens up readers to new experiences that they might not have and on their own. To someone living in Grimes, it is likely unfeasible that children have to beg on the daily or are subjected to other things shared in non-fiction books. But quotes like this one help increase awareness, and in turn, empathy for those who aren't as fortunate because people are more likely to share if they know some background.
- - - - Many readers will go into the book knowing that India is in poverty. In saying that Saroo's old, small, and almost off-map town was "draped with electricity cables", Saroo demonstrates just how fast this change came about. The reader will be inclined to think about the multitude of changes that could happen from now to when they get in their 30s. Thought like this could only be compelled if the reader was able to put themselves in Saroo's shoes, which is exactly what this passage makes possible .
- - - - Another divot of truth that effects memoir writers and not other, more factual writers, is personal bias of events. Saroo only tells us about the impactful or scary events he had as a child growing up in India. While this is more impact to the reader, it can create a stereotype in the reader's mind that every part of India is like this. If the book were a more statistical analysis of crime rates in India, the reader would be less influenced to think that the whole of India is bad.
    - - A moment like this is the whole focus of the book. Saroo has been looking for his family this whole time, and this quote represents when he finally found where it was. However, Saroo falls into a divot of truth that a lot of memoir writers fall into, selective storytelling. Instead of stressing the reality of how long it took him to find and search for his home, Saroo instead compares it to "a wild dive into the haystack". His perspective can create a misconception that the previous effort wasn't needed. Other non-fiction writers like dog care books portray accurate representations of timelines and effort needed. But, because memoirs are more perspective based, Saroo selects his story telling to give the reader the impression that something like this is easy.