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Cold Sassy Tree,
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Mel-Mel Cerrillo
Depends on what you mean by "vulgar". The characters don't have the best vocabulary, but they do not frequently curse throughout the book. There's a part of the book where the main character overhears his grandpa in bed with his new wife. He describes their sounds and conversations and also overhears his grandpa's new wife sharing a story about her step father sexually abusing her. Other than this one part, it's no too inappropriate... If it was a movie, it'd probably be PG-13.
April Layne
I agree with Melodie. The chapter she is describing could be disturbing for a younger reader (under 12 maybe) but it is between a married couple. There are no f-bombs or really other cuss words. There are many euphemisms like 'gall-darn-it' and other expressions that have gone out of fashion. I liked it and my 14 year old daughter likes it. The boy is 14 in the book and does have sexual 'feelings' toward several characters but it's a coming of age type description, not graphic.
Deborah
The way the characters talk in their clipped colloquialism is what makes this book a fun read. They say "dang' and "dern" but nothing any stronger that could be termed vulgar. I think the whole story is harmless. In fact, quite the opposite, there is a religious component that consumes Will as he is coming to age and dealing with questions his Grandpa helps him answer. In fact, I'm sure Olive Ann Burns has even strengthened faith in her readers through Grandpa's endearing personality. I've read the book twice.
Jackson
Not that I noticed. I think it is very suitable, language-wise, for anyone, and that the Gpa's religious thoughts are not really anti-religion, but maybe those who have a fundamentalist bent might -- might -- feel differently.
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