You know, I think the whole "bleak literature" think is popular in adult fiction,
too. My book club's selection for this month was _Kite Runner_ by Khaled Hosseini,
and although the writing was excellent, it was just too depressing for me to
finish. I read about the first hundred pages and threw the book down in disgust
(although I read the end just to see how it wound up). Another month my club read
_Heaven of Mercury_ (Brad Watson) and it was the same thing.
I enjoy good fiction, but if I read for self-entertainment, I don't want to be
depressed. I enjoy a good mass-market paperback because it provides enjoyable
escapism. Don't get me wrong--I have read many "serious" fiction pieces (I enjoy
Walker Percy and Robert Penn Warren) and like them. It just seems like more and
more serious literature is depressing.
I talked to my mom, who read _The Dogs of Babel_ (Carolyn Parkhurst), and she
agreed--that it was good to read literature like that, but it was also good to have
the fluff literature, too (my mom is a retired English teacher). I did not read
_The Dogs of Babel_, but from what she described of it, it seemed depressing.
Maybe it is not the quality of the writing, but the content that determines whether
or not I will enjoy the book. If you have any suggestions for happy serious
literature, please send them to me!
Maybe that is why I like to read non-fiction more than fiction.
Just my $.02--feel free to chime in if you disagree!
Robyn
********************
Robyn Sager
Librarian
Midfield High School
Midfield, AL
(205) 923-2833
rsager@midfield.k12.al.us
--------------------------------------------------------------------
All LM_NET postings are protected by copyright law.
To change your LM_NET status, e-mail to: listserv@listserv.syr.edu
In the message write EITHER: 1) SIGNOFF LM_NET 2) SET LM_NET NOMAIL
3) SET LM_NET MAIL 4) SET LM_NET DIGEST * Allow for confirmation.
LM_NET Help & Information: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/
Archive: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/archive/
EL-Announce with LM_NET Select: http://elann.biglist.com/el-announce/
LM_NET Supporters: http://www.eduref.org/lm_net/ven.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------
LM_NET
Mailing List Home