Blankets by Craig Thompson

[Kelly (Maybedog), Minister of Illicit Reading]

This thread is for discussing the book Blankets by Craig Thompson, if possible focusing the discussion on it being banned, but any discussion of it is fine.

[Jennifer W]

So it's taken me almost a year.... but I finally started this book! I read the first chapter (about 60 pages) last night and I'm liking it. So far, it's about bullying and not getting along with your family and trying to grow up.

[Kelly (Maybedog), Minister of Illicit Reading]

That sounds like a good book, not one that would be challenged. When you get to something controversial, let us know.

[Jennifer W]

There was full male nudity by the end of the first chapter. There was also this scene alluding to (view spoiler)[sexual assault (hide spoiler)] that hasn't otherwise come up again in the story.

I started chapter 2 last night, but haven't made it very far. He's met a girl..... oooooh..... ;)

[QNPoohBear, Minister of the Unapproved Written Word]

Jennifer W wrote: "There was full male nudity by the end of the first chapter. There was also this scene alluding to [spoilers removed] that hasn't otherwise come up again in the story.

I started chapter 2 last nig..."

Just one of those is grounds for removal. Two of those things on the censors' bucket list gets them frothing at the mouth! This is an adult novel with crossover appeal for teens. But a-ha Wikipedia tells me... "Thompson produced the book as a way of coming out to his parents about no longer being a Christian." ergo... the Christians, if they even know what the book is about, would love to burn this book.

Furthermore, Wiki lists more things the censors don't like.

(view spoiler)[Thompson also depicts a male babysitter sexually abusing both Craig and his younger brother, Phil. Craig suffers harassment from bullies at school and at church. (hide spoiler)]

A-ha again (view spoiler)[Heaven forbid they admit the abusers are in church and not at the library. (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[Raina: Craig's first love, a fellow Christian whom Craig first meets at a church camp. Like Craig, her family is not well-off financially, and her parents' divorce causes her stress. She also takes care of her mentally disabled sister and brother. Although she believes in God, she does not believe as strongly as Craig does.

Craig's parents: Craig's parents are strict, devoutly religious Christians who are not very tolerant of liberal Christianity.
Raina's father: Raina's father is a man who is loyal to his own beliefs and is hoping to salvage his relationship with his wife.

Raina's mother: Raina's mother has no interest in repairing her relationship with her husband, and is trying to move on. Both she and her husband leave Raina to take care of her adopted siblings, as well as her niece. After being away from the home all day and upon returning, she frequented the medicine cabinet for some prescription drugs to retreat to her bedroom alone.

Laura and Ben: Raina's adopted sister and brother, both of whom are mentally disabled. (hide spoiler)]

[Jennifer W]

I'm up to chapter 4. He's questioning his faith and there's a masturbation scene. Another double whammy. ;)

But I'm still really liking it. :)

[Jennifer W]

I finished it last night. It ended (view spoiler)[ feeling unfinished. Bittersweet. We never hear from Raina again. I guess that's real life, but it made me sad. (hide spoiler)] I've been in a nostalgic malaise myself for most of this year, and it just hit me harder than it might have otherwise.

As for it being banned, I can definitely see why people would be upset about the content of this book. There's lots of nudity, questioning of faith, family problems, etc. It's realistic. However, the content of the book is way above kids' heads. I would say you'd have to be 16 or older to even start to get what he's saying about growing up, growing apart from your family, questioning your faith, and falling in love.

[QNPoohBear, Minister of the Unapproved Written Word]

Jennifer W wrote: "However, the content of the book is way above kids' heads. I would say you'd have to be 16 or older to even start to get what he's saying about growing up, growing apart from your family, questioning your faith, and falling in love."

It's Young Adult/Adult crossover. High school and in public libraries, some young adult and some adult.

[Jennifer W]

Yeah, it was in the adult GN section of my local library.