tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357514088561227680.post5277152762914223248..comments2008-03-24T18:22:56.216-07:00Jeff Burtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18068021849429001560noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357514088561227680.post-31197088921173130622008-03-24T18:22:00.000-07:002008-03-24T18:22:00.000-07:00However, your self-aggrandizing "literary criticism" is uninformed. I can't believe that you even admitted to not reading the series while attempting to critique them. That was bad form; next time, think before you spout uneducated tripe.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357514088561227680.post-11244922150485071592008-02-19T05:27:00.000-08:002008-02-19T05:27:00.000-08:00Anonymous: I belive "allusion" is too elegant a word to describe the technique the man employs. His didactic narrarator is about as subtle as a football coach. Before your hasty denunciation, you should have taken the time to read the comments, especially my last contribution, which explains that I am making a literary criticism, rather than a moral one.Jeff Burtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18068021849429001560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357514088561227680.post-54045947107483486392008-02-18T18:23:00.000-08:002008-02-18T18:23:00.000-08:00A note to the author of this blog:<BR/> Having been one of the aforementioned 9-12 year-olds who have grown up on Lemony Snicket's "A Series of Unfortunate Events," I would like to emphasize that these books are fantastic for children as well as adults- there should have been no implication that they are innapropriate. While satirizing human follies, Snicket (a clever nome de plume) teaches children that life is ephemeral, bad luck is part of life, and alludes to important literary and culteral references. I appreciate your concern for Snicket's young readers, but I find your criticism hypocritical for someone who hasn't finished the series. I am an adolescent (14) and recently reread the series. As this blogger noted, Swinburne and Anna Karinena are alluded to. Also, there are references to Melville and Edgar Allen Poe. Snicket was far accomplished in these references- they may be the catalyst for some to delve into fine literature. I simply don't see the problem with these literary masters that you have outlined. Refusing to read Swinburne because of his views is akin to boycotting Whitman because of his. To put this into a more recent cultural scene, what you're suggesting is that the Beatles are terrible because they spent to much of their time acid-tripping. Snicket's references are building a more literate America. Literary allusion is the mark of higher-level literature. You said youself- your son probably wasn't paying attention to the references. What you have forgotten is that there are different facets to this series; separately, they can be enjoyed by children and adults individually. Together, they can take on a completely new level.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357514088561227680.post-11195967018278258142008-01-10T14:35:00.000-08:002008-01-10T14:35:00.000-08:00I have not encountered anything that is directly inappropriate. There might be a problem if a particularily precocious child took some of these references as "suggestions for further reading." Mostly, I think they are goofily out-of-place than anything else.<BR/><BR/>And BTW, you are not stepping on my toes, though I understand your concern. I could write a whole series of posts on "raised eyebrows" reactions to how various Christian families make media choices.Jeff Burtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18068021849429001560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357514088561227680.post-9680609103209723602008-01-10T14:26:00.000-08:002008-01-10T14:26:00.000-08:00*Obviously, since you let your kiddo read them, they must be ok??<BR/>Didn't mean to step on toes there.erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07796969550236321277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357514088561227680.post-70658812045243359752008-01-10T14:25:00.000-08:002008-01-10T14:25:00.000-08:00I haven't read any of the series, but I have to wonder after reading your post, are they appropriate for children? What's your opinion?<BR/>Also as for the substandard editing, it seems that lousy editing is the standard these days. Call me crazy.erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07796969550236321277noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357514088561227680.post-11902348905864069052008-01-09T10:31:00.000-08:002008-01-09T10:31:00.000-08:00During that re-read, tell me if you run into any references from Lolita or Lady Chatterly's Lover.Jeff Burtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18068021849429001560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-357514088561227680.post-72560349633317779102008-01-09T09:17:00.000-08:002008-01-09T09:17:00.000-08:00whoa- I just liked the books because I thought they were refreshingly sharp and witty. And I equate them visually with Tim Burtonesque grunge illustrations. It's not only 9-12 year olds who are missing most of the references.<BR/>T<BR/>hanks for the lesson- and piquing my interest to re-read the series.<BR/><BR/>PS- may I please borrow your copy of Crazy for God?Brandy Dopkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01380059635102533910noreply@blogger.com