"There are some themes, some subjects, too large for adult fiction; they can only be dealt with adequately in a children's book." — Philip Pullman
Do children's books and Young Adults books nowadays -all these fantasy fairy tales, novels and poetry- are, in your opinion, better or worse than they used to be? Why so many adults admit to reading them? Does it mean the children's literature has got better or the adults have become more childish, immature? Can children's books be deep and thoughtful? Can adults actually benefit from reading kids' lit? Is reading YA books really "as easy as eating popcorn" (according to one lit professor)?
And finally: do adults who find that their recreational reading requirements are in the main met by children's books really miss a lot?
I read YA and kids' books all the time. But then, I'll read almost anything. Some children's authors aren't afraid to tackle difficult subject material with children, and they can do it in a way that makes it fun for the children, even if they don't totally understand what they're reading. Rowling and Pullman come to mind. Rowling deals with death and Pullman with God, but they both do it skilfully and with tact. (Well, maybe not so tactfully for Pullman.) HP and especially HDM deal with things that most other children's authors won't touch. And if it gets kids reading, I won't complain, not even about Stephanie Meyer and the Twilight series, which I felt was awful. My own teenager can write better than that, but it got her reading more, and now she's reading Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie.
ReplyDeleteFrom my own childhood, I can't help but think of The Chronicles of Narnia. When you read it as a child, it's just a good story. However, when you read it again as an adult it's a totally different story. I read it again a few years ago when The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe came out, and I was shocked at the religious symbolism and themes that I definitely didn't (and wouldn't have) picked up on as a child. I just remembered it as a good book, nothing more.
My second attempt at posting a comment - a thunderstorm put paid to my previous one.
ReplyDeleteThe variety in children's literature has certainly expanded hugely since I was young (soooo long ago!) - whether the fantasy of Rowling or Pullman or the realism of Jacqueline Wilson, there is a lot more choice now.
Can childrens' books be deep and thoughtful? Absolutely, more thoughtful than the average chicklit or misogynistic thriller, certainly. And as Kristin points out, adults pick up on all of those themes which go straight over children's heads. I can remember arguing with someone that just because a book is aimed at kids, doesn't mean an adult wouldn't interpret a scene differently - eg. Inkheart it's obvious to an adult that the wife who ended up inside the story for several years, was raped by the evil tyrant - but younger children reading it wouldn't realise that.
Do adults who find that their recreational reading requirements are in the main met by children's books really miss a lot?
Yes they do! There are no limits on adult literature - I disagree with Pullman's quote - no theme is too large not to be also covered, and far more nuanced and in far greater depth, in an 'adult' book - but it very much depends on individual taste in reading.
I've never quite understood who the category 'Young Adult' is aimed at. I started reading adult books when I was thirteen or fourteen.
Thank you for your comments Kristin and Tracy.
ReplyDeleteThe symbolism of children's books is something that often only an adult can recognize and appreciate - The Chronicles of Narnia are a good example here, but also most of classic fairy tales, not mention H.C.Andersen and famous Grimm brothers. That part in a book I often like the most - the creative rendition of an ancient theme,myth or a mythical creature. Even Twilight, although undoubtedly horrible when it comes to style (some scenes can make you groan of pain) is so popular imho just because it deals with one of the most powerful themes around - that of eternal love.It's been hugely popular since ancient times and will stay this way unless the human race changes (very unlikely).
Can children's books be deep and thoughtful? Can adults actually benefit from reading kids' lit? My answer is two big and loud YES. But not every book is good and not from reading every book you will benefit for sure.
@I've never quite understood who the category 'Young Adult' is aimed at. I started reading adult books when I was thirteen or fourteen.
So you started reading books as a young adult! From the Wiki (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Young-adult_fiction#History_of_young-adult_fiction)
"The first recognition of young adults as a distinct group was by Sarah Trimmer, who in 1802 described "young adulthood" as lasting from ages 14 to 21.[3] In her self-founded children's literature periodical, The Guardian of Education, Trimmer introduced the terms "Books for Children" (for those under fourteen) and "Books for Young Persons" (for those between fourteen and twenty-one), establishing terms of reference for young adult literature that remain in use today.[3] However, nineteenth-century publishers did not specifically market to young readers, and adolescent culture did not exist in a modern sense. Nonetheless, there were books published in the nineteenth century that appealed to young readers.(...)The modern classification of young-adult fiction originated during the 1950s and 1960s, especially after the publication of S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders. This book focused on a group of teens not yet represented and instead of having the nostalgic tone that was typical in young adult books written by adults, it displayed a truer, darker side of young adult life because it was written by a young adult.
As publishers began to focus on the emerging adolescent market, booksellers and libraries, in turn, began creating YA sections distinct from either children's literature or novels written for adults. The 1970s to the mid-1980s have been described as the golden age of young-adult fiction—when challenging novels began speaking directly to the interests of the identified adolescent market."
Thanks for the definition, anachronist - if the seventies and mid eighties was the 'golden age ' of YA fiction then my local library was seriously behind the times! Nary a mention of a YA section back then - once you were out of the children's section you were plunged straight into the deep end of adult fiction (I clung to the sci-fi and fantasy section to stop myself from drowning :)) which is why I thought it was far more recent than that.
ReplyDeleteI clung to the sci-fi and fantasy section to stop myself from drowning :) Indeed, without any guidance a nasty accident is practically guaranteed!
ReplyDeleteYou know, Tolkien wrote that great essay On Fairy Tales and he said that fairy tales aren't really children's stories since people tend not to really read them much until the age of 10 or 12. And he also said that the appetite for these stories increases with age rather than diminishes. I think he was right.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with him, The Red Witch. Fairy Tales usually have a truth or two hidden deep inside the whole plot. They are like parables, often dealing with the most serious subjects in a palatable form. If you are an adult, you will understand more, if you are a child, you will enjoy the plot and the special effects.
ReplyDeleteHave any of you watched a movie of Alex van Warmerdam entitled "Grimm"? It was shot in 2003 so not exactly a recent production and its plot is loosely based on our dear brothers Grimm fairy tales (but don't be mistaken - it's a movie for adults only). Another example that a fairy tale might be something more serious than just a bedtime reading material.
No, I haven't seen that but I am aware that the Grimm Brothers collected folk stories to preserve ancient beliefs not to amuse children.
ReplyDeleteIf you have an opportunity do watch it - the movie is very funny but in an unexpected way!
ReplyDelete