I'm a little disturbed by some blog posts I've read dissing certain YA books because the blogger says the book promotes violence. Now, lets all just remember something. THIS IS FICTION for starters and also don't forget that these are NOT human boys, usually they are otherworldly creatures.
I always feel the need to defend the books I love and sometimes I feel people miss the point. Here endeth my rant. I will watch the VLOG with interest :)
I completely understand where you are coming from on this one!! I looked at the idea of abuse from as being just that emotional or physical abuse as the primary plot of the story.
There are many times I have heard people accuse characters i love of being abusive. in many ways I don't get it were they reading a completely different story but in others ways I can see the manipulation playing out and have concerns. Part of me also thinks that as long as young adults have a place to discuss what s going on in the book in a healthy open f the then it is ok. I find that if the main storyline is not about abuse then it isn't the young adults up in arms but the adults who are crying foul.
having read back, I hope you don't think that was aimed at you. I just wanted to share my thoughts on the subject matter. I love you VLOG's and am interested to know what you'll say on the subject :)
To be honest, I think there is a very big difference between VIOLENCE and ABUSE. The intentions are different, and abuse deals more with manipulation than with physical injury. But I like the point you bring up, because I'd like to make that distinction in my video.
Do you see what I mean, though? I love a good many fairly violent books, but I have a hard time, not when manipulation or abuse comes straight from the villain, but when I see it show up in the heroes and/or love interests, as it sometimes does in YA, or in any books for that matter.
And when manipulation/abuse DOES show up in the villains, I think there is a line, but it's much harder to cross it because they are...well...villains. I suppose the BIG issue I have is abusive techniques in love interests.
I think it makes for an interesting discussion and also I think everyone has their own take or opinion on what constitutes abuse. I'd be extremely interested to hear you talk about specific examples so I can ponder over them :)
Books about abuse
anonymous
May 17 2010, 17:15:42 UTC
There are books out there that relate to this topic.
The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin this is from an older sibling pov trying to impress upon his sister how to survive living with their abusive mother
Inexcusable by Chris Lynch This story is fascinating, told from the abusive teenagers pov trying to justify his actions. Similar to Speak but with a different pov.
I have a really hard time reading about abuse in YA literature. And what strikes me as odd is that those books discussing and addressing abuse are typically award winners. I understand the need to have the stories out there it just seems sometimes too graphic. I work with students who have been abused and I am always careful to choose books that are not too graphic and can be discussed openly with the students. I find it very hard to teach about abuse using novels and I know it is good to have the literature but I don't always agree with the depth that some of those novels go into. Just my two cents.
I'm in the middle of ENDER'S GAME (I know, I can't believe I haven't read it yet either!) and many believe that's a YA because of the age of the protagonist. In that book, wow, abuse ABOUNDS. But it's necessary. And the abusers don't prevail.
Remember when Hollywood had the rule that you couldn't put out a movie if the Evil Guy didn't get it in the end? That's how I feel about YA (and actually, any book). I'm fine with abuse if it's integral to story (because I don't want to go through life OR books with blinders on) but the Evil Guy or Gal better get his or hers in the end!
Comments 8
I always feel the need to defend the books I love and sometimes I feel people miss the point. Here endeth my rant. I will watch the VLOG with interest :)
Reply
There are many times I have heard people accuse characters i love of being abusive. in many ways I don't get it were they reading a completely different story but in others ways I can see the manipulation playing out and have concerns. Part of me also thinks that as long as young adults have a place to discuss what s going on in the book in a healthy open f the then it is ok. I find that if the main storyline is not about abuse then it isn't the young adults up in arms but the adults who are crying foul.
Reply
Reply
Do you see what I mean, though? I love a good many fairly violent books, but I have a hard time, not when manipulation or abuse comes straight from the villain, but when I see it show up in the heroes and/or love interests, as it sometimes does in YA, or in any books for that matter.
And when manipulation/abuse DOES show up in the villains, I think there is a line, but it's much harder to cross it because they are...well...villains. I suppose the BIG issue I have is abusive techniques in love interests.
Reply
Reply
The Rules of Survival by Nancy Werlin this is from an older sibling pov trying to impress upon his sister how to survive living with their abusive mother
Inexcusable by Chris Lynch This story is fascinating, told from the abusive teenagers pov trying to justify his actions. Similar to Speak but with a different pov.
I have a really hard time reading about abuse in YA literature. And what strikes me as odd is that those books discussing and addressing abuse are typically award winners. I understand the need to have the stories out there it just seems sometimes too graphic. I work with students who have been abused and I am always careful to choose books that are not too graphic and can be discussed openly with the students. I find it very hard to teach about abuse using novels and I know it is good to have the literature but I don't always agree with the depth that some of those novels go into. Just my two cents.
Jen
Reply
Remember when Hollywood had the rule that you couldn't put out a movie if the Evil Guy didn't get it in the end? That's how I feel about YA (and actually, any book). I'm fine with abuse if it's integral to story (because I don't want to go through life OR books with blinders on) but the Evil Guy or Gal better get his or hers in the end!
-S.
Reply
Reply
Leave a comment