We're going to see The Lovely Bones today. I read the book, appropriately, on a trip to Disney World about 6-7 years ago. Despite the fact that I didn't want to like it, I actually did like it. Until about halfway through. Then it deteriorated in disneyesque fashion. I rated it "schlock" on Good Reads, but must confess I went back a couple months ago and upgraded my one star to two because I gave the book to my daughter and didn't want her to think I'd given her a book I found stupid. (She's on Good Reads, too.) Honestly, for 13-year old girls I think it's probably a totally cool book. Anyway, I fully expect to dislike the movie, but to cry my eyes out despite my better judgement, because I am unfortunately very susceptible to sap and schlock, being hormonally and emotionally at sea, as only a melancholy, middle-aged, overtaxed, sentimental ex-pat keeper-of-the-motherly flame can be.
Song of the day: Eric the Half a Bee
Sunday, March 07, 2010
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5 comments:
Wow, you put hyphens to good use! Though I read a lot of "YA" so I can recommend them to my 14-year-old charges, I haven't read that one. I just can't get over the hump when it comes to girly lit (see "Twilight" and company). Hope she likes it.
I read The Lovely Bones because my students were reading it, so I could understand them better. It helped.
Also I heard an interview with Sebold on NPR, and sought out her book about her own experience.
There is something to be said for all-out sentimentality where our hormones are concerned. Can you imagine the mess we'd be in if we didn't give way to mushy mush every once and a while? Eric the Half a Bee made me cry. It touched me right to my Knochens.
My daughter did read this, and liked it a lot. (That's why we went to the movie.) I was glad about that, even though I didn't like it that much. I don't think this was supposed to be a YA book despite its teenage protagonist, but maybe it was?
Kass, I cried at the movies. My daughter said, "I saw you crying three times." I said in fact I only cried one continuous time because according to physics it takes less energy to just keep going.
There are subcategories: "YA" books adored by adults as well (e.g. HARRY POTTER), and adult books adored by teens as well (e.g. THE CATCHER IN THE RYE). I guess THE LOVELY BONES falls into the latter group.
Never heard of a half bee. Instead of buzzing, does he just bu--?
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