LM_NET: Library Media Networking
I read Black and Blue and I thought it was very good (depressing, also).
I liked Anna Quindlan's two previous novels.
Since this was a related recent thread........
The one thing that bothered me while reading Black and Blue (story line
not withstanding) was the image she gave the school librarian
at her son's middle school....Mrs. Patrinian. Even the name
scares me now. I was very disappointed that she chose to portray
a librarian in this fashion...petty, (querulous, was the actual
word described in one scene) and generally shrew-like. There were
three scenes in the book featuring the mean Mrs. P and each one had
a negative connotation including joking about how she would probably
cook up some cabbage for her Thanksgiving dinner. Each time she
appeared in the story in this way I kept on thinking how sad that
Anna Quindlan, of all people, made this choice. The main character
needed so much security it would have been nice if the school library
(where she volunteered ) was seen as a refuge and a chance to be in
the same building as her son who she was so protective of at the time.
Not to mention that librarians are the ones who peddle Anna's books to
patrons who might not have heard of her !
I thought we deserved more than a parody.
As for Oprah's choices, I don't think she has guidelines or has
pledged to feature unknown authors. One of her first selections was
Toni Morrison's Song of Solomon. Other times she has said a friend
gave her the book. She does seem to be getting into more mainstream
authors lately, I agree.
For those of you who have read or will read Black and Blue, please
let me know what you think of Mrs. Patrinian. A friend who was
reading it at the same time told me I was probably a bit over-sensitive
because we are going through major budget battles here that involve
cuts to school libraries. She did see agree that it was a negative
depiction of Mrs. P., however.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Betty Daniel If the Syracuse City Schools
Library Media Specialist are in the business of
Shea Middle School education, then the
1607 South Geddes Street Syracuse City School Libraries
Syracuse, NY 13207 are good business !!!
bdaniel@freeside.scsd.k12.ny.us
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