Re-education is not for me

I really had no idea that under the rule of Chairman Mao the youth were sent into the countryside to be taught how to work like a farmer. Now I know what happened and just how awful those conditions were sometimes. Frankly, I am surprised that Dai Sijie survived re-education because I doubt that I could have made it through a month of living there. I can definitely see why this is historical fiction and not a historical account. This novel is a lot more romantic and cliché than history would be, but that is what makes this such a good book. You can actually connect to Luo and the narrator while reading. When the narrator gets jealous about Luo spending so much time with the little seamstress you can relate that to a time in your life where you may have envied the girlfriend that one of your buddies has. Although, I really doubt that some of what happens would have occurred in an actual re-education town, which is why this is historical fiction and not an actual historical account.

Put me in Coach, I'm warmed up now.

My work this year has been mediocre. I can be doing much better than I currently am. I can make excuses and say that this year caught me off guard, but in actuality I just need to get more organized and stay focused. I am a book-lover and this is not how a bookworm performs in an English class. I can say that I am excited for this next quarter though because it will allow me to get back into the swing of things. I hope we do more creative writing this quarter!

THIS TITLE IS OFFENSIVE AND NEEDS TO BE CENSORED

The only book I've read from this list so far has been Persepolis, but I've read lots of books that would fit rather snugly onto that list. The image that I get from reading the banned books list is one of some overprotective person that doesn't want the kids and people of USA to be exposed to reality. If we are not ready to read about reality, then what will happen when we are finally exposed to it? I'm not saying books are the only way to prepare us for adulthood, but I think it is a very good one.

I don't think there is any merit for people to say those books are dangerous. After reading the descriptions of them all they seem to describe is human life and I don't see how that is dangerous. The only way I would say they are dangerous would be if they are telling people to hurt themselves, then that book would literally be dangerous. Or if the book had razors instead of pages, then I would also say the book is dangerous. Other than that there is no reason for these books to be described as dangerous.

How far would I go to read something deemed illegal by my community? I would go to no great lengths to get this book. As much as I am for uncensored books and having the freedom to read, I don't want to be ostracized or shunned by the community. I like to make friends and I think by doing something like that then I would have accomplished the opposite. Unless someone handed me that book and I felt like reading it, then I would NOT read a book that the people around me deem illegal. Granted that I try and surround myself with like-minded people, I don't think living in a place like that will happen.... At least I hope it won't!