I have to toss in my two cents on this.
I think this is a far cry from stuff that needs to be "censored" because it can be a huge learning and self-reflection experience. Censorship, to me, has such a negative connotation -- stuff that's taboo, or can have a bad influence needs to be censored. I don't think this is really something that can be lumped in with the slacker generation of parents who let their kids play video games that teach you how to steal cars and shoot people, or listen to rap music about raping someone. It may go over a younger fan's head, but it's not something that's going to change them for the worse.
I'm not sure how I feel about the appropriateness of Without You, in terms of ages, other than that it, to me, depends entirely on the maturity of the kid, case by case. I can understand parents not wanting their children exposed to some of the more "risque" themes of the book, though. I know my mother wouldn't have wanted me to read it at age 11 or 12 or 13. Maybe these parents aren't aware. Maybe they are and have open minds. Maybe they trust their kids. Maybe they want to use this as a way to talk to their kids about things. I guess it's also a possibility that they'll sort of share the reading experience, as not to let a child dive into that alone, but that the book signing was simply an opportunity to meet Anthony, even if these kids aren't "allowed" to be exposed to certain themes.
I think the parents need to be informed, yeah, but I don't think -- if the kid can handle it -- everyone should be kept away from the book only by virtue of age. Specifically, of course, it's not any of our place to say.
On the awkward -- yet interesting -- flip-side, I'm reluctant to let my mom read it, for the sake of judgements I think she'll pass, on a lot of fronts.
A work of art is an invitation to love.
Updated On: 2/9/06 at 11:51 AM
I wanted to be like "er, buy it. Or else."
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