Title: the Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian Author: Sherman Alexie Art: Ellen Forney page number: 230 Publisher: Little Brown and Company Intended audience : either 14-16 year olds, or noooooobody!!!! (depends on where you stand on censorship) Link to Barnes and Noble You must not read this post. This post is about The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. This book has been banned at least 17 times since its publication in 2009. This book has many subversive topics. The protagonist confesses that he masturbates (something that has probably hurt the author in recent times), he shares his views on Christianity that will not please everyone. You must not read this post, this post talks about how the reader enjoyed this book. The reader had watched Smoke Signals and enjoyed it. With a good film like Smoke Signals where loss, coming of age and getting over grudges is brought up. Being a Native American is something that is put as part of the protagonists growing up. You must not read about how Ellen Forneys art style is whimsical and feels like something a young man would be doodling. Especially don't look at how it complements the tone of the story. Don't see at how it reinforces certain ideas or even showcases parts that the author took pride in. Whatever you do do not look up the author and think about the recent controversy regarding him and the #me too movement. Do not look at how the character of Arnold "Junior" Spirit went from a school on the reservation to a white school in search of a better future. Do not compare how his pursuit of a better future led to him feeling guilty about leaving his friends, hence the "part time Indian" in the title. Do not compare how his guilt yet persistence is reflected by him denying assault claims but by publicly apologizing for anyone he may have unintentionally hurt. Do not look at how his honest confession while defending himself is like the character displaying himself with flaws as well as talents.
Do not read the story about a young man who fought, do not compare it to how he is still fighting.
4 Comments
Evie
11/4/2018 06:17:51 pm
Well, I haven't read Alexie's title yet, but after you told me not to read articles about his involvement in the #Me Too movement, which I did read, they leave a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. For Sherman being such a role model and amazing author it is disappointing to hear from Sherman's accusers on NPR. I wonder if Alexie's titles will now be banned because of these accusations as opposed to his content?
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11/16/2018 07:21:31 pm
I felt hurt when I learned about Sherman Alexie getting Me too'd. I think his case is interesting because the takeaway I got from looking into it was that he claims that he did not sexually assault but did confess to being in an affair. From that I see an honesty in seeing both the good and the bad in his work. I think people should look into it and come to their own conclusion.
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Evie
11/19/2018 08:15:25 pm
I can see your disappointment. I think some of the best works can come from those with sordid backgrounds. This will probably add to the mystique of the book and make readers all that more interested in the title. People love a good controversy.
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Katrina Pieri
11/19/2018 12:50:06 pm
Boy do I love a banned book. It's such an important subject to bring to the attention of youth: that they have a right to read whatever they wish, and that even if someone challenges their right, the library will still do everything it can to provide that reading material for them. For teens especially, I think it's essential that libraries bring to light banned books and their various related controversies. It's not a librarian's job to make a judgement on one of these books (quite the opposite, of course), but I think it's so helpful to bring attention to them, even if it's just a display during Banned Books Week.
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