The book "A Great and Terrible Beauty" by Libba Bray. I am thirteen, and one or two of the customer reviews on Amazon says that this book should not be read by someone the age of 13 or younger. I accidentally read the follow-up to AGATB first, "Rebel Angels" and loved it. So I was hoping to buy the first and read it, but my mother refuses to purchase it for me because of that customer review (she won't let my buy it either). So, if you have read this book, please explain why it would/would not be suitable for me to read this book, so I can prove it to my mother.
2006-09-19 11:31:56 · 3 answers · asked by x 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Books & Authors
I think its crazy that your mom wouldnt let you read any book!
2006-09-22 01:56:42 · answer #1 · answered by SallyC 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have read A Great and Terrible Beauty. While I can see why some thirteen year olds might have difficulty with some of the themes of the book--it can be dark and it deals with both "good" and "bad" magic or fantasy--however, that book like with any other book should be determined on an individual basis. A book's "appropriateness" if you will does not have so much to do with physical age...but emotional maturity. If one is emotionally able to handle the book's themes AND one has the mental ability to comprehend the book...then I see no reason why the book would not be appropriate for you to read. Especially since you've already got a taste for the style/theme of the books by reading Rebel Angels. I haven't read that particular customer review on Amazon, but I am a big believer that just because one person thinks something is "inappropriate" for 13 and under...perhaps seen as "too scary" or "too dark" or "too troubling"...doesn't mean other readers view it the same way. What could "scare" or "disturb" one kid doesn't bother another. You just have to know yourself. It is sad that one person's review (and opinion--which they're entitled to hold) can dictate someone else's life. One thought--if still in doubt your mom could read the book for herself and decide. There is nothing wrong with parents having opinions and objections...but she should base hers on the book itself and not on someone else's review of the book.
2006-09-19 19:29:22 · answer #2 · answered by laney_po 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
hmm i have read the book and i have no idea why it would not be suitable for you. i am currently 17 and read it when i was 15 or so but i still dont see any problem. content wise it is more or less the same as the second, and if you have read that novel and never felt uncomfortable, then there is no reason not to read the first. though some parts may be a little dark, it is no worse then the first.
2006-09-19 18:36:39 · answer #3 · answered by sweet papaya 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋