I'm also not sure what makes it a strictly children's book. Because the main character is younger?
It was printed alongside this rebuttal.
Book: I believe I just... I think I'm on the wrong ship. Inara: Maybe. Or maybe you're exactly where you ought to be.
'Serenity'
We're Literary 2: To Read Makes Our Speaking English Good
There's more to life than watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer! No. Really, there is! Honestly! Here's a place for Buffistas to come and discuss what it is they're reading, their favorite authors and poets. "Geez. Crack a book sometime."
Daisy Jane - Jul 13, 2005 9:21:30 am PDT #8160 of 10002
"This bar smells like kerosene and stripper tears."
Maysa - Jul 13, 2005 9:25:18 am PDT #8161 of 10002
He does know that E.B. White and C.S. Lewis wrote lots of stuff for adults as well, doesn't he? Or is he really that stupid?
Anne W. - Jul 13, 2005 9:25:59 am PDT #8162 of 10002
The lost sheep grow teeth, forsake their lambs, and lie with the lions.
Nice rebuttal. Thanks for posting the link, Heather. I'm reminded of something C.S. Lewis once wrote about how after talking to certain academics and other self-professed scholarly types, he would have had no idea that Jane Austen's books were supposed to be funny.
On edit: Why is it that some critics seem to assume that "popular" = "bad"? Or that something has to be complex to be of artistic merit?
Daisy Jane - Jul 13, 2005 9:28:12 am PDT #8163 of 10002
"This bar smells like kerosene and stripper tears."
He also suggested Sesame Street and Teletubbies were only for rich white kids, so I'm guessing yeah, he's that stupid.
Susan W. - Jul 13, 2005 9:29:10 am PDT #8164 of 10002
Good Trouble and Righteous Fights
He does know that E.B. White and C.S. Lewis wrote lots of stuff for adults as well, doesn't he? Or is he really that stupid?
I think he's that stupid. Plus, with the possible exception of The Hobbit, would you really call Tolkien's books children's books? I wouldn't. But what do I know? I just read what I like and don't stress over the ages of the characters or what section of the bookstore it's found in.
Lyra Jane - Jul 13, 2005 9:29:20 am PDT #8165 of 10002
Up with the sun
Joel Stein is a humorist. Also, having seen him on TV, he looks like an enormous dork.
Basically, I wouldn't worry about the opinion of someone who has wet dreams about being Dave Barry.
Fred Pete - Jul 13, 2005 9:29:40 am PDT #8166 of 10002
Ann, that's a ferret.
Re Austen -- Sense and Sensibility especially is a scream the second time around, when you realize how completely wrong certain characters get it.
And for Austen fans, if you get a chance, you might want to check out a '30s movie called Quality Street. It's set during the Austen era, featuring Katharine Hepburn as a 30YO woman who pretends to be her niece to get male attention -- very successfully, I might add. (I haven't seen the end of it yet, but the first half or so is recommendable.)
Beverly - Jul 13, 2005 9:30:02 am PDT #8167 of 10002
Days shrink and grow cold, sunlight through leaves is my song. Winter is long.
I am Susan.
Well, no, I'm really Beverly, but I agree with what Susan says. So, solidarity!
Susan W. - Jul 13, 2005 9:32:46 am PDT #8168 of 10002
Good Trouble and Righteous Fights
Joel Stein is a humorist.
Well, I kinda figured he was trying to be funny. Trying being the key word here. And I guess he succeeded, insofar as I'm way too busy laughing at him to feel insulted.
Daisy Jane - Jul 13, 2005 9:35:37 am PDT #8169 of 10002
"This bar smells like kerosene and stripper tears."
Joel Stein is a humorist.
Has he read the job description for that?