tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4098049071459822748.post4783276729659448617..comments2024-02-18T00:24:05.514-08:00Comments on The Zoë-Trope: RESPONDING TO THE WALL STREET JOURNAL ARTICLEZoë Marriotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01275368005359548134noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4098049071459822748.post-91896066423641551712013-01-21T12:09:14.153-08:002013-01-21T12:09:14.153-08:00I agree with you completely on this.
But one good ...I agree with you completely on this.<br />But one good thing did come out of that article.<br />I now have more books for my to-read list.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10913378682860413685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4098049071459822748.post-65539452039140606382011-10-05T05:13:53.641-07:002011-10-05T05:13:53.641-07:00A great and a touching post....you really know how...A great and a touching post....you really know how to write.schudnac w miesiachttp://jak-schudnac-szybko.pl/schudnac-w-miesiac.phpnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4098049071459822748.post-2870201839189281782011-06-25T11:35:51.226-07:002011-06-25T11:35:51.226-07:00You're welcome, Cam :)You're welcome, Cam :)Zoë Marriotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01275368005359548134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4098049071459822748.post-20613870727168406112011-06-25T11:34:33.172-07:002011-06-25T11:34:33.172-07:00Thanks. This helped me put it in perspective, espe...Thanks. This helped me put it in perspective, especially since I hate censoring.Camhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08296015826263848696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4098049071459822748.post-22264221517063289342011-06-25T08:34:18.580-07:002011-06-25T08:34:18.580-07:00I don't think you're narrow-minded, Cam - ...I don't think you're narrow-minded, Cam - I think what you're describing there as 'sadistic' writing is something I call 'torture-porn', where a writer is so keen to prove how hard-hitting and gritty they are that they go over the top. I too find reading descriptions like this upsetting. And yes, it is disrespectful to real victims. And it's not appropriate for young adult novels.<br /><br />But that's not, unfortunately, what the author of the article was talking about. I know this for a fact, because I've read all the books she lambasted apart from one, and each of them dealt clearly, respectfully and truthfully with the issues they raised, just as the novel you mention, 'Hush' does. <br /><br />The writer of the WSJ article isn't singling out bad, sadistic YA novels and their authors, and telling them to be more careful about the way in which they write about these issues. She is singling out GOOD YA authors and their excellent books, and telling them that they should stop writing about these issues at all. She is asking that novels like 'Hush' be removed from public libraries and schools, because she does not believe that young adults should know about these issues, or read the stories of people going through these problems. And in doing that, she is effectively saying that she believes she has the right to decide for all teens and all parents, what is 'too dark' or 'too adult', regardless that many teens may be experiencing or have knowledge of dark, adult issues in their own or their friends lives.<br /><br />If Megan Cox Gurdon read 'Hush', she would most likely call it disgusting, just as she did the books named in her article. I'm sure that's not what you want. Of course there are bad books written within any field of literature, including YA, but attacking the entire field and tarring all the books within with the same brush is unfair and unhelpful. It's also ignorant, because within the field that MCG condemns there are probably three or four light, funny, sweet, romantic, happy books to every gritty, hard-hitting one.<br /><br />Do you agree with me?Zoë Marriotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01275368005359548134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4098049071459822748.post-49030594988799914712011-06-25T08:16:44.856-07:002011-06-25T08:16:44.856-07:00I'm a teenager, so I was prejudiced against th...I'm a teenager, so I was prejudiced against the article before I even read it. But now I think they made some good points. Please listen to what I have to say before you call me narrow minded. <br /> A lot of the books I've read have pages long description of rape, cutting, etc. Horrible stuff like this happen all the time, everywhere. But what I've read is so gruesome it's sadistic. I think this disrespects someone's real pain as much as pretending it doesn't exist. <br /> I think writing these kind of books is a balance between being flippant over serious issues and describing them so graphically they're almost inaccessible. I've read only a handful of books like this. The best example is probably Hush by Eishes Chayil. It's about how a nine-year-old is raped and commits suicide when no one in her family or community believes her. The actual rape scene is only shown once (although it's refrenced throughout the book)seen from the point of view of the victim's best friend. In one paragraph, the author was able to hit me harder then pages of descriptions ever have.Camhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08296015826263848696noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4098049071459822748.post-40347495792727113162011-06-09T17:50:49.159-07:002011-06-09T17:50:49.159-07:00Yeah, thanks for adding me! :D I got a new book to...Yeah, thanks for adding me! :D I got a new book today at Barnes & Noble (<i>The Goddess Test</i>). I had to narrow it down to one even though there were tons of books I wanted to get. :( Anyway, it's based off of the Greek Myths, so I'm excited about it.<br /><br />Looking forward to talking more about books with you! =DIsabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11342147057396470743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4098049071459822748.post-91272791242683948222011-06-09T09:18:33.696-07:002011-06-09T09:18:33.696-07:00No I don't have a Goodreads account but I migh...No I don't have a Goodreads account but I might make one :) I'll let you know when I do :)Rebeccanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4098049071459822748.post-73861984684093335562011-06-08T18:40:31.563-07:002011-06-08T18:40:31.563-07:00Rebecca: do you have a Goodreads account? That'...Rebecca: do you have a Goodreads account? That's the easiest way to share and recommend books online. ;)<br /><br />Yeah, I'm so glad you enjoyed <i>The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms</i>! <i>The Broken Kingdoms</i> looks very good too (not to mention the gorgeous cover) so you should definitely check it out. :PIsabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11342147057396470743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4098049071459822748.post-14969299303811344232011-06-08T09:14:20.272-07:002011-06-08T09:14:20.272-07:00Isabel: I've read The Hundred Thousand Kingdom...Isabel: I've read The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms but I didn't realise The Broken Kingdoms was the second one! I'll definately have to check out the second one :) Yeh, I'd like some book recommendations and if there are any of the same style that I like but you haven't mentioned I can let you know so you can enjoy them too :)Rebeccanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4098049071459822748.post-88968891651042102372011-06-07T14:22:40.741-07:002011-06-07T14:22:40.741-07:00Rebecca: Yeah, if you're gonna read The Broken...Rebecca: Yeah, if you're gonna read <i>The Broken Kingdoms</i> you should read the first book before that: <i>The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms</i> by N.K. Jemisin. It's an adult book but if you're a kid like me you can still enjoy it. :) I'd be happy to give any book recommendations if you'd like, those are always fun. ;)Isabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11342147057396470743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4098049071459822748.post-91071348651612219852011-06-07T13:58:43.674-07:002011-06-07T13:58:43.674-07:00Isabel:I know, Divergent is a really good book! I ...Isabel:I know, Divergent is a really good book! I might have a look at the other books you said there because you and me must like the same books :)Rebeccanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4098049071459822748.post-24404399994186501582011-06-07T13:27:01.268-07:002011-06-07T13:27:01.268-07:00OMG I just got Divergent, The Broken Kingdoms and ...OMG I just got <i>Divergent</i>, <i>The Broken Kingdoms</i> and <i>Starcrossed</i> in the mail!!!!! <i>Divergent</i> and <i>Starcrossed</i> are even more droolworthy in real life. :P (<i>Castle in the Air</i> arrived on Saturday and I started it today. Also counts for my summer reading. ;)) Since I'm getting <i>Starcrossed</i> signed I'm going to send it out all the way to California and then receive it back again, which is very exciting, but I'm also so impatient to read it!!! Argh!!! :DIsabelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11342147057396470743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4098049071459822748.post-66223629566470275092011-06-06T01:59:02.171-07:002011-06-06T01:59:02.171-07:00That's what it's all about, Clover. These ...That's what it's all about, Clover. These books are for KIDS, not their parents. I mean, the whole article just started out from the wrong perspective. The writer is angry that PARENTS don't find the books in the YA section assessible and to their taste. Who cares about that? That mum should just have sucked it up and given her daughter a book token. I guarantee that the girl would have found something to interest her in that book shop - YA is more diverse, exciting and more relevant to kids now than it ever has been before.Zoë Marriotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01275368005359548134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4098049071459822748.post-16616475833097928232011-06-06T01:50:26.768-07:002011-06-06T01:50:26.768-07:00I love this post. Well done to you. I actually cri...I love this post. Well done to you. I actually cried at the part where you defended Scars and Cheryl Rainfield because that section of the WSJ article pissed me off the most (possibly. There were several points where I felt overly angry). If there were YA books around when I was a teenager that dealt with self harm in a compassionate and understanding way (which I assume Scars would be, it being written from some such a personal perspective! I haven't read it but it's been on my wishlist since I heard it was being published) than it would have done so much for me. <br /><br />I'm very glad that they appear in YA sections now and that teens are able to feel less isolated and alone knowing that their experiences and feelings and behaviours are shared and that there is hope and possibility beyond it. I needed that then and I need it now.Michelle Fluttering Butterflieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08793681725475475156noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4098049071459822748.post-61364518129724829232011-06-05T23:22:53.014-07:002011-06-05T23:22:53.014-07:00JayJay: Thanks! I'm so glad that the overwhelm...JayJay: Thanks! I'm so glad that the overwhelming majority of people seem to see this article for that it is, a blatant strawman argument laid down by a woman with a very twisted idea of parenthood.<br /><br />Sarah: Thank you! *Blushes*Zoë Marriotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01275368005359548134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4098049071459822748.post-59177157987589125592011-06-05T18:19:14.066-07:002011-06-05T18:19:14.066-07:00V. good post! *claps*V. good post! *claps*Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4098049071459822748.post-18110054615418699912011-06-05T14:18:47.773-07:002011-06-05T14:18:47.773-07:00I have read so many great articles telling us how ...I have read so many great articles telling us how much YA saves and yours goes straight to the point. People who don't believe that YA is good literature live in ignorance or in false realities where it is okay to spend money on clothes (Shopalholic) or read books that increase self loathing such as He's Just Not That Into You. At least YA fiction has strong role models who face their own demons be they real or not. Like many of the others have said, I'd rather read The Hunger Games over much of the top fiction now a days. And I am now running late for work so must dash. Thanks for this great article.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03091247013008922037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4098049071459822748.post-76915585166789098682011-06-05T14:15:26.332-07:002011-06-05T14:15:26.332-07:00I have no hesitation in saying that you would be 1...I have no hesitation in saying that you would be 100% more qualified for the role than anyone they currently have on staff, Ashley.Zoë Marriotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01275368005359548134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4098049071459822748.post-72620298770288380172011-06-05T14:12:57.962-07:002011-06-05T14:12:57.962-07:00You go Zoe!! Awesome post! I'm still super ang...You go Zoe!! Awesome post! I'm still super angry about that article. Maybe I should call them and apply for a position talking about YA and childrens books, because, you know... I actually read them. *Angry face*Ashleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07895603279815878376noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4098049071459822748.post-60532738113810553352011-06-05T11:49:27.999-07:002011-06-05T11:49:27.999-07:00Ems: Having done a little research into this woman...Ems: Having done a little research into this woman, I believe this article was inevitable, because her idea of how to raise a child is to 'break the poppet's spirit'. That's a direct quote, by the way. I imagine that if her child was suffering and in pain, was in danger of being 'not normal', she would punish it into silence and consider it a job well done. The idea of openly talking about and dealing with problems, embracing diversity, admitting that everyone is weird in their own way? That would be anethema to her. I pity her children.Zoë Marriotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01275368005359548134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4098049071459822748.post-12758655814513984072011-06-05T11:46:16.219-07:002011-06-05T11:46:16.219-07:00You're welcome, Raimy. I doubt that the respon...You're welcome, Raimy. I doubt that the response will shake the writer's confidence, as she seems like a thoroughly horrible person. But maybe WSJ will stop publishing articles like this and give us all a break!Zoë Marriotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01275368005359548134noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4098049071459822748.post-59025803730887070552011-06-05T11:43:13.854-07:002011-06-05T11:43:13.854-07:00Thank you Zoe. I love that you feel so strongly ab...Thank you Zoe. I love that you feel so strongly about these things I knew when I saw the article that I could expect an opinion from you. Thank you for standing up for your career and standing up for us readers who love what YA writers do for us! I was actively swearing at the article as I was reading it, I couldn't believe how narrow-minded the woman was being!<br />I really hope that the woman sees all the posts which have been written in retaliation to herr stupid-ass article!Raimy from Readaraptor Hatchlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08060834482678440435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4098049071459822748.post-28076271427574025012011-06-05T11:37:45.966-07:002011-06-05T11:37:45.966-07:00I'm still having a hard time wrapping my mind ...I'm still having a hard time wrapping my mind around the fact that people are STILL calling for censorship. It's 2011, for crying out loud. We've evolved quite a lot in the critical thinking department. We're quite capable of making our own reading decisions without gatekeepers keeping us safe and sound and stuck in a past that never existed. Denying these kids a relatable genre (for some of them, it's the ONLY thing they can turn to) is criminal in its negligence. For Ms. Cox Gurdon to promote that kind of thinking is irresponsible at best and depraved at worst. So glad that her life is full of rainbows and butterflies and glitter, but for the rest of humanity, well, it's nice to have books we can turn to when life has failed us.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4098049071459822748.post-43758682256537730872011-06-05T10:22:44.758-07:002011-06-05T10:22:44.758-07:00Thank you Isabel, bfree and Rebecca. I can only ag...Thank you Isabel, bfree and Rebecca. I can only agree with all of you. Let's hope the WSJ gets their act together soon and either apologises or posts a rebuttal from someone who knows what they're on about.Zoë Marriotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01275368005359548134noreply@blogger.com