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[CCBC-Net] Walter Mosely's 47 - MILD SPOILERS
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From: Jane Hertenstein <janeh>
Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2006 12:23:12 -0600
I haven't heard remarks of kids who have read it--I expect it would be confusing--but it did stick to the motif of myth, creating a hero larger than life, the fact that he came from somewhere else didn't bother me because he became one of the slaves, and rose up like an African American golem.
Sorry if this is off-topic.
Jane Hertenstein 920 W. Wilson Chicago, Il 60640 773-561-2450 ext 2089
----- Original Message ----- From: "Almagor, Lelac" <LAlmagor at cathedral.org> To: <ccbc-net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu> Sent: Monday, January 30, 2006 12:14 PM Subject: [CCBC-Net] Walter Mosely's 47 - MILD SPOILERS
> MILD SPOILERS
>
> I also thought that 47 was deeply original and a worthy experiment, but
> in the end it didn't work for me. For those who don't know, the book is
> a cross between a sentimental slavery narrative and a science fiction
> story about aliens from outer space who are searching for green powder
> buried at the center of the earth. (!)
>
> I've said this in a few other forums already, so forgive me if you've
> heard this before. I think Mosely's political agenda fails, in that the
> misguided self-hatred of the protagonist ends up dominating the
> narrative, and also in that I am troubled by a mythology in which the
> slaves need an alien from outer space to come explain to them that they
> are oppressed. I also think that the novel's not a very good read; the
> alien's antiracist speeches are tedious and badly written, and I suspect
> they will confuse or bore most child readers.
>
> However, I haven't tried giving it to any actual children, so opinions
> to the contrary would be welcome.
>
> Ms. Lelac Almagor
> Grade Five English
> Writing Center
> National Cathedral School for Girls
> www.ncsforgirls.org/lalmagor/
> lalmagor at cathedral.org
> 202-537-2312
> _______________________________________________
> CCBC-Net mailing list
> CCBC-Net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu
> Visit this link to read archives or to unsubscribe...
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Received on Mon 30 Jan 2006 12:23:12 PM CST
Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2006 12:23:12 -0600
I haven't heard remarks of kids who have read it--I expect it would be confusing--but it did stick to the motif of myth, creating a hero larger than life, the fact that he came from somewhere else didn't bother me because he became one of the slaves, and rose up like an African American golem.
Sorry if this is off-topic.
Jane Hertenstein 920 W. Wilson Chicago, Il 60640 773-561-2450 ext 2089
----- Original Message ----- From: "Almagor, Lelac" <LAlmagor at cathedral.org> To: <ccbc-net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu> Sent: Monday, January 30, 2006 12:14 PM Subject: [CCBC-Net] Walter Mosely's 47 - MILD SPOILERS
> MILD SPOILERS
>
> I also thought that 47 was deeply original and a worthy experiment, but
> in the end it didn't work for me. For those who don't know, the book is
> a cross between a sentimental slavery narrative and a science fiction
> story about aliens from outer space who are searching for green powder
> buried at the center of the earth. (!)
>
> I've said this in a few other forums already, so forgive me if you've
> heard this before. I think Mosely's political agenda fails, in that the
> misguided self-hatred of the protagonist ends up dominating the
> narrative, and also in that I am troubled by a mythology in which the
> slaves need an alien from outer space to come explain to them that they
> are oppressed. I also think that the novel's not a very good read; the
> alien's antiracist speeches are tedious and badly written, and I suspect
> they will confuse or bore most child readers.
>
> However, I haven't tried giving it to any actual children, so opinions
> to the contrary would be welcome.
>
> Ms. Lelac Almagor
> Grade Five English
> Writing Center
> National Cathedral School for Girls
> www.ncsforgirls.org/lalmagor/
> lalmagor at cathedral.org
> 202-537-2312
> _______________________________________________
> CCBC-Net mailing list
> CCBC-Net at ccbc.education.wisc.edu
> Visit this link to read archives or to unsubscribe...
> http://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/mailman/listinfo/ccbc-net
Received on Mon 30 Jan 2006 12:23:12 PM CST
