tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19660349.post6101509303016587588..comments2024-02-15T15:23:25.465-08:00Comments on interactivereader: If I slid off the dome would I get hurt?Jackie Parkerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11142876691306805769noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19660349.post-86052910109182493962008-10-12T19:47:00.000-07:002008-10-12T19:47:00.000-07:00Solely on the basis of the cover illustration, I w...Solely on the basis of the cover illustration, I was reminded of a book I read as a kid, <A HREF="http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/n/andre-norton/outside.htm" REL="nofollow">Outside</A> by Andre Norton, which is probably very dated by now, but also deals with the domed city idea. I remember really liking it as a kid, but I wonder if it would stand up to reexamination? <BR/><BR/>It's too bad this one seems to have its faults--I do love dystopian books.<BR/><BR/>David, your list of books sounds interesting. I'll be very curious to see which books you think are unrealistic or condescending portrayals of male protagonists.Sarah Stevensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16534942492714970282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19660349.post-6684905018905937532008-10-11T06:46:00.000-07:002008-10-11T06:46:00.000-07:00I wanted to like this as well, and was equally dis...I wanted to like this as well, and was equally disappointed, and couldn't bring myself to review because, well, it felt a little stale.<BR/><BR/>I find that those who believe books for boys need to pass a lower threshold are probably part the problem when it comes to boys and reading. Boys aren't stupid, they know when they're being pandered to, or being given inferior reading, and they come not to trust those who treat them this way. Or worse, they get turned off to reading because all they know, all they are fed, are books with lowered expectations.<BR/><BR/>I am slowly gathering a list of books with male protagonists that condescend to male readers and provide unflattering or unrealistic portrayals of boys, and are generally disappointing. What I have so far is that all of them are written and edited by women. I'm not trying to ignite a gender war, but I think it's worth noting.david elzeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16653215150526146224noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19660349.post-62201771247063188292008-10-10T22:24:00.000-07:002008-10-10T22:24:00.000-07:00Regardless of how the dog appeared, it doesn't tak...Regardless of how the dog appeared, it doesn't take away the fact that the plot relied far too heavily on the dog's ability to ease Martin's way throughout the story - impeding Martin's growth as a character, among other things.<BR/><BR/>But you are certainly welcome to disagree with me, and that's why I provided the links to others who do. <BR/><BR/>I'm dismayed at the idea that we should have lower standards for literature simply because the protagonist is male. That not only is a great disservice to our young men, it greatly underestimates their ability to discern poorly executed characters. Guys deserve good lit, too.<BR/><BR/>Also, if you are looking for good reads for boys, you should take a look at <A HREF="http://guyslitwire.blogspot.com/" REL="nofollow">Guys Lit Wire</A>. Hopefully you'll find quality books that appeal to teen guys there.Jackie Parkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11142876691306805769noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19660349.post-1293778440429104462008-10-10T13:13:00.000-07:002008-10-10T13:13:00.000-07:00I reviewed The Sky Inside positively, figuring tha...I reviewed The Sky Inside positively, figuring that his father, who was prescient in many ways, had arranged for the dog. Also this is a YA novel with a male main character, and those are too few and far between.Jeannehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01374498643286099244noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19660349.post-27981950716201737792008-10-01T16:55:00.000-07:002008-10-01T16:55:00.000-07:00I'm a little late with this, but I wanted to let y...I'm a little late with this, but I wanted to let you know that I'm with you in being disappointed with this one. I really liked Dunkle's previous books, but this one came across as if it were pieced together from a number of different stories (The Giver and Invitation to the Game come to mind).Saints and Spinnershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04733517166056974501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19660349.post-89253583368530377112008-09-27T13:49:00.000-07:002008-09-27T13:49:00.000-07:00It's a terrific, thoughtful review. As a reader, c...It's a terrific, thoughtful review. As a reader, characters who sail through life on some version of deus-ex-machina can be exceedingly annoying; as a writer, reviews like this remind me *not to do that*...<BR/><BR/>Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19660349.post-27774504506452990442008-09-24T04:19:00.000-07:002008-09-24T04:19:00.000-07:00This arrived the next day in my pile from the publ...This arrived the next day in my pile from the public library, and I felt the same way. Too many holes to support the book when it did not intrigue me.Ms. Yinglinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17805324364289597178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19660349.post-6351450562048548622008-09-10T04:13:00.000-07:002008-09-10T04:13:00.000-07:00Why I read each one. If you aren't thrilled about ...Why I read each one. If you aren't thrilled about the book, it's going to be hard for you to recommend it.Ms. Yinglinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17805324364289597178noreply@blogger.com