Today I'm joining 60 others (at last count) on Tahereh's blog, HERE to post about our most-beloved challenge/censored book.Mine is:
Slaughterhouse Five- Kurt Vonnegut
This was my favorite book in high school. I wrote a huge paper on it for college comp class.
It ranks 66th on the top hundred list of most challenged/censored books. Yes, it's irreverent, but that's Vonnegut at his best. Yes, the soldiers cuss, but wouldn't it be strange if soldiers didn't cuss? And yes, there are moments that it is sexually explicit. No love scenes, nothing titillating. Just frank talk.
The thing that bothers me most about this is the possibility that some of those trying to ban this book may use the sexual stuff to do so, when what really scares them are the thoughts and ideas a reader of Vonnegut might end up having because of this book. Thoughts that don't fit the "norm." Thoughts that might broaden a student's world view. Might make someone think for themselves. Might make someone want to change the world for the better.
These are the things this book did for me, and I'm so grateful I grew up in a school system and community (in rural Indiana, I would add) that encouraged students to read outside the box.
No one should have the right to take that opportunity away from any whole school system of students or community of people.
"No one should have the right to take that opportunity away from any whole school system of students or community of people." Amen.
ReplyDeleteI love this book, and I'm also grateful that my school and community supported reading all kinds of literature--even challenging, thought-provoking, controversial stuff.
I love this book too - great post!
ReplyDeleteThis one has been on my to-read list forever-- I need to check it out. And amen!
ReplyDeleteI never read this book, but I've read many others on the banned book list.
ReplyDeleteIf you'd like, check out my Banned Book review:
http://theresamilstein.blogspot.com/2010/09/speak-up.html