The Unauthorized Autobiography of L.Snicket was very good but only if you've read all or most of the other books. If you have then it is an intriguing puzzle, and I must read it again and take notes; it's also my favorite sort of instruction manual of "how to read". But if you don't get it then it looks dully sophomoric. It lists the questions that any sensible person would have from reading the Series; then it says, "Those are the wrong questions. Here are the real questions" and this turns out to be true, from L.S.'s point of view, but you have to figure out why. There are extended exercises in sort of... well, in semiotics... Explanations perfect for an 8 year old of "Because it is so easy to forget that the photographer is invisible and so is the author..." Very cool.
In the back of the book on the flyleaf is written in pen by some patron of the Deadwood City Library:
I HURT.
Someone please help me.
I need to be loved.
Why is that so difficult?
Coming after the head-warping mysteries of the book, this packed a punch. I imagined its author, and she's maybe 12, 13, 14? We will call her Dolores... What would you tell her? I could print out the answers and tape them into the book's back flyleaf and hope the librarians don't notice right away.
Certainly include the number for a local hotline that can help people in this situation. I would write, "I love you though I don't know you." There are people in your life who love and value you, but may not be able to show it for some reason.
This is a tough one. Holy Crap.
Posted by: Kris | September 06, 2005 at 09:31 AM
that's funny Kris -- that's exactly what I wrote!!!!
Posted by: badgerbag | September 06, 2005 at 01:32 PM