SAXTON B. LITTLE FREE LIBRARY
319 Route 87 Columbia, CT 06237
Phone: 860 228 0350 Fax: 860 228 1569 E-mail: staff@columbiactlibrary.org

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Speaking Volumes

Keeping you up-to-date on what's happening at your library. We invite you to join in the conversation!
SEPTEMBER 16, 2009
He Said WHAT?

There is a little known fact that most Technical Services Librarian’s can swear enough to make any pirate proud. Not all of course, but enough that there are jokes about this being why the Technical Services departments of libraries are often found tucked into out of the way places. I must confess that in my last job, a Technical Services department squirreled away in a locked, windowless basement, when angry, the four women who worked in the room could turn the air blue. I, being the youngest, was often teased that I shouldn’t be allowed to hear such things.

Now, I am a strong believer that there is a time and a place for everything, or in this case times and places NOT for certain language. However, generally speaking, I consider myself pretty liberal and unfazed on the subject of foul language in private contexts. 
 
So, it has been a big surprise to me that I have found myself bothered by the language in the book, The City of Thieves by David Benioff. I am listening to the book on audio and I believe this may have something to do with things. I suspect, that if I were actually “reading” the book, I wouldn’t notice it all. But listening, has been difficult.
 
Apparently I am not alone in this. The book was chosen as the One Book choice for Eastern Connecticut and has apparently created quite a stir. Recently the author spoke at Norwich Free Academy, acknowledging the criticisms (one woman wrote him and said she was going to burn her copy.) Mr. Benioff’s argument was that he was illustrating the way his characters, young men in war time Soviet Union, would speak.
 
I am of mixed mind on this issue. Authenticity is valid. But is gratuitous vulgarity needed? Where is the line between these two illustrations? This too leads me to wonder if just because someone DOES speak this way, should it be elevated in print? Is this realism or glorification? I don’t know.
 
In this particular book, this issue resonates for me. I liked the book. Its story was interesting, bits of history were present and served as educational, the characters in their own way, charming. Even when I was listening and disgusted with the character’s talk, I wanted to know what happened next.   All in all, I’d say this was a good book.... But....
 
In our discussion here in the Library, those who read the book (really read, not listened to) didn’t seem to notice this issue. The book will be Beckish Bookworm’s October read. Our meeting held on the 22nd at the Beckish Senior Center. I’m going to be very interested to hear what others have to say.
 
If your curious, stop by the library – we have both the book and the audio book @ the Library!

 


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