Nicole (inmycozynook)
asked
Allison Pataki:
Hi, is your book "Where the Light Falls" okay for young adults or teens to read? Your book sounds interesting and the cover is gorgeous! Thanks!
Allison Pataki
Hi Nicole,
Thank you so much for your question, and for your interest in "Where the Light Falls!"
While I cannot know what your standards and expectations are in terms of these young readers, my inclination is that yes, the book is appropriate for teens and young adults. Of course, with the historical backdrop being the French Revolution, there is some macabre and grisly stuff happening in the world of the novel, as in fact was the case in the actual time period of the French Revolution. There are scenes in which the guillotine plays a role, and there are battle scenes that are true to the history of the time, etc. But there is nothing gratuitous or explicit in terms of violence or mature content. I would put it on par with Les Miserables or Juliet Gray's "Marie Antoinette" series in terms of content. Have you read my first novel, "The Traitor's Wife?" I would say it is at about that same level in terms of content.
Ultimately, it's a subjective matter and only you can really decide that. I'll make a suggestion: perhaps the best thing might be for you to read it first, just to make sure that you are comfortable before passing it along.
I firmly believe that historical fiction is wonderful for young readers, and indeed readers of all ages, to show that history need not be boring, and to kindle a passion for history that might not otherwise be stoked by a textbook!
Best wishes,
Allison
Thank you so much for your question, and for your interest in "Where the Light Falls!"
While I cannot know what your standards and expectations are in terms of these young readers, my inclination is that yes, the book is appropriate for teens and young adults. Of course, with the historical backdrop being the French Revolution, there is some macabre and grisly stuff happening in the world of the novel, as in fact was the case in the actual time period of the French Revolution. There are scenes in which the guillotine plays a role, and there are battle scenes that are true to the history of the time, etc. But there is nothing gratuitous or explicit in terms of violence or mature content. I would put it on par with Les Miserables or Juliet Gray's "Marie Antoinette" series in terms of content. Have you read my first novel, "The Traitor's Wife?" I would say it is at about that same level in terms of content.
Ultimately, it's a subjective matter and only you can really decide that. I'll make a suggestion: perhaps the best thing might be for you to read it first, just to make sure that you are comfortable before passing it along.
I firmly believe that historical fiction is wonderful for young readers, and indeed readers of all ages, to show that history need not be boring, and to kindle a passion for history that might not otherwise be stoked by a textbook!
Best wishes,
Allison
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