[HPFGU-OTChatter] Tattoos / The curious incident of the dog in the night

[Shaun Hately]

On 26 Dec 2006 at 15:18, storm wrote:

> Lee, Lee, pick up that book again! It's not a kids book, it's a
> young adult
> book. It's fantastic insight into the mind of a young man with
> aspersers.
> It's also beautifully written (F-word or no)

No, it's a kids book. It was written for children - no matter what they would like to be called, 
that is what they are. (-8

Sorry - a pet peeve of mine is the term 'Young Adult' when it comes to classifying fiction. 
'Young Adult' books are aimed at 12 to 18 year olds - and except for the 18 year olds, they 
are *not* young adults. They are children. If that term *has* to be avoided out of a belief it is 
insulting, then the term adolescent or teen would be reasonable - but co-opting and 
corrupting the word adult in my view is a very bad idea, and a rather dishonest marketing 
ploy.

Now, personally, I think, in general, children's books should be as free of swearing as 
possible. But like all general rules, there are exceptions and I have to say 'The curious 
incident' is, in my view, one of those exceptions. I can understand the book not being 
someone's cup of tea - I didn't particularly enjoy it, even though according to some experts, 
I'm an aspie myself - but the book is powerful and would be weakened if the language was 
changed.

Yours Without Wax, Dreadnought
Shaun Hately | www.alphalink.com.au/~drednort/thelab.html
(ISTJ)       | drednort at alphalink.com.au | ICQ: 6898200 
"You know the very powerful and the very stupid have one
thing in common. They don't alter their views to fit the 
facts. They alter the facts to fit the views. Which can be 
uncomfortable if you happen to be one of the facts that 
need altering." The Doctor - Doctor Who: The Face of Evil
Where am I: Frankston, Victoria, Australia