Npldirector’s answer to “I want to read this book, but I'm not sure if it's a age appropriate for me (14 years old). What's …” > Likes and Comments

Thanks so much for your advice! I will definitely attempt this book.

Npldirector, why would you recommend a book to a kid or anyone in which half of its contents is boring?

She had already chosen the book and was questioning whether it was appropriate for her: I believe it is, and was supporting her interest in trying it.

Rape, suicide, prostitution, a father more concerned with his own suicide attempts and a mother that watches jelly fish instead of care for her failing daughter, appropriate?

I'm late to the party, but yes, if she wants to read it then it's appropriate. Who are you to say what might be of interest to her, or what's appropriate for her? You don't know anything about her. Part of the life of a reader, especially one who will be considered an adult in just a few short years, is figuring out what one wants to read. The best way to find out is to start the book and see. That's how learning and growth happen: as we live our lives, we get exposed to new things, and they become part of our experience. I read a lot about the Holocaust as a young teenager: certainly not easy or pleasant fare, but I believe it has helped me grow into a compassionate, informed adult. Shielding young people from tough topics does nothing other than keep them naive and easily misled. And lastly, if she doesn't read about these topics at 14, is 16 more suited? How about 18? Think about it: an 18-year-old who has never encountered a difficult topic is no more suited to reading about it than a younger person. We don't magically get wiser just because we get older; we get wiser as we learn about the world. And reading books is just about the safest way to learn about the world. Let's worry more about protecting people from actual rape, suicide, prostitution etc. than about keeping them from reading about such topics.

I think the child is 18 now, better late than never:

I am Lila Marantz, who are you Lagobond? The main reason why at 14 year old or a 50 year old should refrain from reading "A Tale" is time. It is a precious waste of it. The book is long and boring. The lazy author writes herself into a corner and uses a dream sequence to emerge from it. When one is 14 years old reading classic literature is more important than reading a poorly written book such as this which will soon be forgotten. I agree with you, reading a book, seeing a movie about the Holocaust or Shoah is definitely appropriate for most 14 year old children. The Diary of Anne Frank is perfect, and real, not contrived like Ozeki's tome. I would recommend that to you too, have you read it?

Did you read "A Tale for the Time Being?" in its entirety?

I welcome further discourse, "Lagobond".

My name is irrelevant, Lila. I'm sharing my thoughts, not my biography. Yes I have read Anne Frank's diary, no I have not read A Tale for the Time Being. Which books I have read (or not) has no bearing on the conversation we are having here.



You’re saying that Anne Frank’s diary is real and A Tale for the Time Being is not. A book's "realness" is not a measure of how good it is. Unless you're saying that all those fiction classics you claim to love aren't worth reading? 



But yes, let's talk about the classics. Who decided which books were "classics?" Those who came before us read a bunch of books. Some of those books were judged good enough, by enough people, to eventually be labeled "classics." There was something in those books that many people found worthwhile. Other books people read were not found worthy of that label. Does that mean that nobody, ever, found them worth reading? No. Does that mean that nothing written today can turn into a classic, down the road? No. 



Now how will we find out which of our modern books are worthy of becoming classics? By reading them, all of them, the good and the bad; and by forming an opinion on them and perhaps recommending them to others (or, as the case may be, by informing others that a book was not to our taste). 



Does that mean other people have to go by our opinions? No. People read what they want to read. Whom do you consult to decide which books are appropriate to you? You make your own decisions as to what you want to read, right? And sometimes you read a book and find that it wasn't worth your while. And that's ok. It’s part of the life of a reader.



Different people have different life experience, different tastes, different needs and opinions. I'm sure you've given 5 stars to some books that will not turn into future classics. I'm sure you've read some classics and not found them worth reading. So what? We read for enjoyment and to further our education. Everyone is on a different path. We all read differently. Of course there are places where everyone reads the same things and nobody has a public opinion (North Korea, anyone?).


Last but not least, a 14-year-old is not a child, but a budding adult. Telling a 14-year-old that they shouldn't read a book because it has a difficult topic (or even because we simply didn't like the book) is not loving adult guidance: it's censorship. Censorship is the enemy of enjoyable and fruitful reading.

I had a feeling you didn't read "A Tale". You asked me who I was "to say what might be of interest to her" ... I ask you same. Yes you are correct it is irrelevant who you are. I will further comment later. (less) (less

Oh no, don't bother. I know you're on a crusade against the book, but I have no interest in any more of your tirades. Bye!

Ah you know so much. You my dear sound like a troll for Ozeki. Good luck promoting crummy "literature".