Another of the Hinton books of my youth. I can't tell you if they're really any good or not. I can tell you that when I was twelve or so they were gooAnother of the Hinton books of my youth. I can't tell you if they're really any good or not. I can tell you that when I was twelve or so they were good enough....more
I had read this some time ago and quite enjoyed it. Now I'm reading it aloud to the Possum. We've only just finished the first test, but so far, it's I had read this some time ago and quite enjoyed it. Now I'm reading it aloud to the Possum. We've only just finished the first test, but so far, it's gripping. I'd forgotten how important testing is when you're in school.
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Testing continued. Really, I think I may be enjoying this more this time around. Reading aloud causes me to take things more slowly. It gives me a chance to savor....more
The book recounts the experiences of the author from 12-14 under Chairman Mao's Cultural Revolution. It's painful to read for all the reasons you mighThe book recounts the experiences of the author from 12-14 under Chairman Mao's Cultural Revolution. It's painful to read for all the reasons you might imagine: the constant fear, the temptation to lie and/or betray one's family and friends, the hysteria and violence and cruelty of a witch hunt. It's not a fun read by any stretch, although I'm glad I finally completed it. The world needs more books about people demonstrating (or failing to demonstrate) moral courage.
The Possum is read this for school, and so I did too. I am not impressed with it, as either a novel of the Depression, nor as poetry. And the exerciseThe Possum is read this for school, and so I did too. I am not impressed with it, as either a novel of the Depression, nor as poetry. And the exercise assigned by the teacher, to record the appearance and inferred meaning of various words from the text, REALLY sucked the joy out of reading. It's no fun at all keeping an eye out for a random list of words, and it's impossible to really grasp the rhythm (such as there is) of the verse and the sense of the narrative. Pleh!
Upon first reading this, I, like so many others, fell in love. It's a lovely story about a girl and her perfect life and marvelous father and it has rUpon first reading this, I, like so many others, fell in love. It's a lovely story about a girl and her perfect life and marvelous father and it has ridiculousness like a giant ham costume. It is also the story that everyone wants to believe, that had I lived in a time of racial oppression I wouldn't have gone along with the casual and cruel racism of my class and color, I would have taken a principled stand.
Sure, that's what I'd like to believe. There are so many stories of wonderful white folks saving the oppressed peoples of the world. But mostly, people didn't. Those whites who didn't attend lynchings as if they were family outings enjoyed their privileged and mostly didn't fight the system on principle, or religion, or any other basis. My parents didn't use racial slurs, but they never entertained a person of color in their home until I had all my female classmates over for a party in sixth grade.
It's a lovely story, but it's just another fantasy covering over the ugly truth of casual, unthinking prejudice, and I'm old enough to know that all the injustice wasn't left in the past of the story....more
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