I wanted to talk this week about a book I've recently read. Years ago, for school, I was required to read Lord of the Flies by Golding. I think that I was one of the very few of my classmates who really "got" this book. At the very least I am the only person I've talked to since reading it who would rate it a five star book. I was then and am still fascinated by the concept of a world without adults. I ponder often what would happen to our friends and neighbors if society and the thin veil of civilization that we wrap about ourselves were to all of a sudden disappear. I wonder what my reaction would be, how I would cope, if suddenly I was thrust into a situation where all the rules changed in the blink of an eye. Gone by Michael Grant explores all of those concepts with a classically science fiction twist. Like Lord of the Flies the characters are all kids. Unlike Lord of the Flies, the characters all live next to a nuclear power plant that had a small accident nearly 15 years ago. Now everyone over the age of 14 has disappeared with out warning and everyone else is left to fend for themselves. I think the most interesting comparison between these books is the use of young people to tell a story. The question on forums and among adult reviewers of the books is why children. The answer that occurs to me is that kids, in a situation where civilization disappears, will have the most honest responses. We, as adults, like to think that we have things under control. Surely if stranded on an island or put under a 10 mile bubble, we would be able to organize and take care of ourselves and others. Certainly, there would not be the chaos that is described in these stories. After reading these stories--after pondering the ramifications--I have to say that, from what I've seen, civility and humanity are very thin veneers. While I would hope for the sake of the human race that I am wrong, I must say that I think that Grant and Golding had it right. When all of the rules disappear, a person's true colors shine through. It would be hard to say how I would react to the situation, but I do know that based on what I've seen of human nature, it would be a crazy ride.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
I've discovered a new online toy -- it's called www.goodreads.com. Basically it's an online, booklover's community. You can suggest and rate books with a five star rating system, see what other people are reading, test your trivia smarts, watch book trailers and discuss with friends all over the country what you thought of your latest read. I'm only just starting, but if you want to see what I've rated so far go to http://www.goodreads.com/sassette
I wanted to talk this week about a book I've recently read. Years ago, for school, I was required to read Lord of the Flies by Golding. I think that I was one of the very few of my classmates who really "got" this book. At the very least I am the only person I've talked to since reading it who would rate it a five star book. I was then and am still fascinated by the concept of a world without adults. I ponder often what would happen to our friends and neighbors if society and the thin veil of civilization that we wrap about ourselves were to all of a sudden disappear. I wonder what my reaction would be, how I would cope, if suddenly I was thrust into a situation where all the rules changed in the blink of an eye. Gone by Michael Grant explores all of those concepts with a classically science fiction twist. Like Lord of the Flies the characters are all kids. Unlike Lord of the Flies, the characters all live next to a nuclear power plant that had a small accident nearly 15 years ago. Now everyone over the age of 14 has disappeared with out warning and everyone else is left to fend for themselves. I think the most interesting comparison between these books is the use of young people to tell a story. The question on forums and among adult reviewers of the books is why children. The answer that occurs to me is that kids, in a situation where civilization disappears, will have the most honest responses. We, as adults, like to think that we have things under control. Surely if stranded on an island or put under a 10 mile bubble, we would be able to organize and take care of ourselves and others. Certainly, there would not be the chaos that is described in these stories. After reading these stories--after pondering the ramifications--I have to say that, from what I've seen, civility and humanity are very thin veneers. While I would hope for the sake of the human race that I am wrong, I must say that I think that Grant and Golding had it right. When all of the rules disappear, a person's true colors shine through. It would be hard to say how I would react to the situation, but I do know that based on what I've seen of human nature, it would be a crazy ride.
I wanted to talk this week about a book I've recently read. Years ago, for school, I was required to read Lord of the Flies by Golding. I think that I was one of the very few of my classmates who really "got" this book. At the very least I am the only person I've talked to since reading it who would rate it a five star book. I was then and am still fascinated by the concept of a world without adults. I ponder often what would happen to our friends and neighbors if society and the thin veil of civilization that we wrap about ourselves were to all of a sudden disappear. I wonder what my reaction would be, how I would cope, if suddenly I was thrust into a situation where all the rules changed in the blink of an eye. Gone by Michael Grant explores all of those concepts with a classically science fiction twist. Like Lord of the Flies the characters are all kids. Unlike Lord of the Flies, the characters all live next to a nuclear power plant that had a small accident nearly 15 years ago. Now everyone over the age of 14 has disappeared with out warning and everyone else is left to fend for themselves. I think the most interesting comparison between these books is the use of young people to tell a story. The question on forums and among adult reviewers of the books is why children. The answer that occurs to me is that kids, in a situation where civilization disappears, will have the most honest responses. We, as adults, like to think that we have things under control. Surely if stranded on an island or put under a 10 mile bubble, we would be able to organize and take care of ourselves and others. Certainly, there would not be the chaos that is described in these stories. After reading these stories--after pondering the ramifications--I have to say that, from what I've seen, civility and humanity are very thin veneers. While I would hope for the sake of the human race that I am wrong, I must say that I think that Grant and Golding had it right. When all of the rules disappear, a person's true colors shine through. It would be hard to say how I would react to the situation, but I do know that based on what I've seen of human nature, it would be a crazy ride.
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