Caitlin K.
asked:
can that book be read by children? I mean will it tell them life can go so wrong even when we try our best?
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Andrew
Can it? Yes. Should it? No. Looking elsewhere is highly recommended for lessons on what to do when life goes wrong despite our best efforts.
Liv
I think it's important to remember that it's possible to read things before one is ready. Children who read things with "age restricted" material often only end up walking away with the 'shock factor', instead of absorbing the messages and knowledge behind it all.
I don't know if you've ever had that feeling when you re-visit a book that you've read sometime during your childhood and it comes off COMPLETELY different the second time round, when one is a lot older.
Don't get me wrong, I'm definitely not saying a child wouldn't be capable of understanding messages presented in writing, I just think there are so many different stages of development when one grows up, and it's important to remember that one might not be in a stage in their lives where they will be able to understand or be empathetic towards various things.
I don't know if you've ever had that feeling when you re-visit a book that you've read sometime during your childhood and it comes off COMPLETELY different the second time round, when one is a lot older.
Don't get me wrong, I'm definitely not saying a child wouldn't be capable of understanding messages presented in writing, I just think there are so many different stages of development when one grows up, and it's important to remember that one might not be in a stage in their lives where they will be able to understand or be empathetic towards various things.
Nina
Oh, it will tell them that exactly, but not in a way you would want it.
Hal Issen
I agree with all the responses, and I wouldn't recommend it to any but the most well-grounded High School students. I'm concerned that impressible youth would find the seediness attractive and try to emulate that lifestyle. I also an curious about "even when we try our best," I don't see where Chinaski is trying his best. He is totally without introspection, and there is no trying your best without introspection.
Patrick
I wouldn't let mine until they are much older. Even if I did, I don't think they would understand the frustration, anger, feeling of purposelessness that Chinaski goes through.
Laura
Can this book honestly be the BEST way to show children that things can go wrong even when we do our best? Surely many more appropriate books have that theme. . . Holes, Bridge To Teribithia, Number The Stars, Dear Mr. Henshaw?? I promise there is a better book out there to teach that concept to children than Post Office by Charles Bukowski.
afra
Not if you actually care about the children in question haha
Brandon Montgomery
Given the strong profanity and depiction of rape, it probably shouldn't be considered appropriate reading material for a child.
Evan
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Aydin Akinci
Definitely not it has a bold language
Tim de Zeeuw
I don't think the message of the book will be clear to children. The book contains strong language and has a big sexual layer. It is a good readable book for High School students, but not younger, I think.
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