Saturday, November 27, 2010

Keeping personal feelings out of a book review

There is one part of this book that really troubled me. As a mother, I wanted to get into that story, and pull Fee away from the ceremoy screaming, "No, stop! She's too young!"

As a teenager, this whole thing may seem romantic and it may even inspire feelings of true love. I have so BEEN THERE! I remember when I was Fee's age, had fallen in love with someone, wanted to do this exact same kind of thing with him and live happily ever after. Every girl this age could fall into that kind of fantasy so easily. And even think, "Gee, it's a good idea!"

But it's not. It is so NOT a good idea, especially for a girl so young. She has her whole life ahead of her. Who knows what the future will bring? She will grow, mature -- and maybe even fall out of love with Faron. It was so wrong to expect a naive, emotionally-troubled and idealistic 16-year-old girl to choose her one true love to stay with forever.

True, this is a fantasy story. In fantasy, we like to think that true love really does conquer all. But I have spent too much time in the real world to know that fantasy has no place in a real world relationship between male and female. So this whole scene left a real sour taste in my mouth.

It was also hurtful that Fee did not even include her mother in this. I know that even if my own daughter made such a bad choice, I would still love her and support her -- and be by her side no matter what. And I know that, as a mother, I would be hurt if I was not at least included in such an event.

REASON FOR CUTTING: Too personal and it may give away an important event that takes place in the story.

Read this book review here: Dividing Dark by Melissa Swaim