Eff is quite interesting and the book is written in the first person and as I like that it did make it more enjoyable for me personally. In that respect it was rather like Among Others in that it was teenager struggling to come to terms with magic. Finding a place for herself in the world etc. Two good books to read back-to-back really to see how two different authors cover the issue.
Apparently when this flame war was going on she said something to this effect:
"I don't like the Native Americans as savages stereo-type, but neither do I like the current romanticizing of them either so I'm eliminating the problem by taking them out."
I grabbed the quote from Goodreads where there are some interesting comments on the book:
Although thinking on it, if you plan to read the book you might not want to see spoilers...
I wondered if the beasts were in place of the Native population too but it's hard to tell as they didn't appear all that much.
Yes, the magic is all over the world but there are different kinds for different continents and they differ from each other. Thus you got 'Aphrikan' and several others the exact names of which I can't remember but they covered Europe I think, and Asia and so on. Fascinating concept.
If you think you might want to read it you can have mine. I don't think I'll be wanting to reread so let me know and I'll pop it in the post. Not sure if the address I have for you is current though and I'm wary of writing any of it here. Drop me an email.
You're right - I may well read this book, and so will avoid too many spoilers!
Interesting quote from the author, and I can see how that might be a thing to think, but... I can also see even more that it's kind of a careless thing. It's really hard to deal with this issue, so I'm just going to pretend it didn't exist in the first place is kind of... well, it's kind of where a good 99% of the problems in the world come from. If that 99% of people would think about stuff and deal with it instead, then maybe we might actually change it... But I'm pretty sure that you already know that, so I'm just going to hush. *g*
It does sound like an interesting set of ideas though... I thought you'd got your copy from the library actually - if you're sure you won't want it again (well, I can send it back, too *g*) then I'd love to borrow it from you - thank you! Will email indeed!
I think 'careless' is probably spot-on. Careless and possibly lazy. I understand... it's one hell of a daunting issue to take on, but why create a universe that close to reality if you're not then going explore it honestly? She could easily have made it another universe, different enough that no one would have kicked up a fuss. I rather suspect she underestimated the size of the fuss people would make.
P always says that 95% of the population is as thick as two shorts planks. I don't think they are at all, I think they've just not learnt to 'think' properly, never been encouraged to or just too lazy. I don't know. Perhaps families don't talk these days, about things that matter. Ours does which probably explains why our grand-daughter came top of the class in RE. Coming from an entirely athiest family we thought that was hysterical. Turns out the teacher is impressed with her ability to 'think' clearly about issues and make good sound arguments on her opinions. And all because we talk. I of course am rather fascinated by the results of all this nattering. *g*
Apparently when this flame war was going on she said something to this effect:
"I don't like the Native Americans as savages stereo-type, but neither do I like the current romanticizing of them either so I'm eliminating the problem by taking them out."
I grabbed the quote from Goodreads where there are some interesting comments on the book:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7170273-thirteenth-child
Although thinking on it, if you plan to read the book you might not want to see spoilers...
I wondered if the beasts were in place of the Native population too but it's hard to tell as they didn't appear all that much.
Yes, the magic is all over the world but there are different kinds for different continents and they differ from each other. Thus you got 'Aphrikan' and several others the exact names of which I can't remember but they covered Europe I think, and Asia and so on. Fascinating concept.
If you think you might want to read it you can have mine. I don't think I'll be wanting to reread so let me know and I'll pop it in the post. Not sure if the address I have for you is current though and I'm wary of writing any of it here. Drop me an email.
Reply
Interesting quote from the author, and I can see how that might be a thing to think, but... I can also see even more that it's kind of a careless thing. It's really hard to deal with this issue, so I'm just going to pretend it didn't exist in the first place is kind of... well, it's kind of where a good 99% of the problems in the world come from. If that 99% of people would think about stuff and deal with it instead, then maybe we might actually change it... But I'm pretty sure that you already know that, so I'm just going to hush. *g*
It does sound like an interesting set of ideas though... I thought you'd got your copy from the library actually - if you're sure you won't want it again (well, I can send it back, too *g*) then I'd love to borrow it from you - thank you! Will email indeed!
Reply
P always says that 95% of the population is as thick as two shorts planks. I don't think they are at all, I think they've just not learnt to 'think' properly, never been encouraged to or just too lazy. I don't know. Perhaps families don't talk these days, about things that matter. Ours does which probably explains why our grand-daughter came top of the class in RE. Coming from an entirely athiest family we thought that was hysterical. Turns out the teacher is impressed with her ability to 'think' clearly about issues and make good sound arguments on her opinions. And all because we talk. I of course am rather fascinated by the results of all this nattering. *g*
Reply
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