So, my 15 year old took a class called "Banned Books" last spring (which he loved). And, one of the assigned books was Silas Marner, so we picked it up at the library and Ben started reading it as I drove him to class one morning.I didn't ask Ben to review this book because he only read 6 pages of it, but I think I can sum up his impressions pretty accurately, based on what he muttered as we drove along:
"Hasn't she ever heard of paragraphs?"
"I can't even tell what she's talking about."
"Is the whole book like this???!"
Nope, Ben was not a fan. Turned out, every one of his classmates who attempted the book agreed with his assessment, as did the teacher. She decided to choose another book.
I, on the other hand, had read just enough over Ben's shoulder at stoplights, to decide that I couldn't return poor Silas to the library unread.
I couldn't quite figure out why the book had been banned. Religious reasons, maybe?
Anyway, it was a good read, as long as you're not especially attached to paragraphs or white space on the page. And I'd love to find some lit from this era that would appeal to a 15 year old. Any suggestions?
