Welcome, Anthony Rapp! (part two)- Page 147

[mauriposa]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 11:29am

Question for the few of you who were at the signing last night:

Were you surprised at all by the fans who showed up, especially in light of the context of the book's content? I'm thinking particularly of the groups of 11-year-old girls. I just have to wonder if their parents knew about some of the more adult themes featured in the book (i.e. "Falling and Spinning") and whether or not letting their children read about them will prove to be more of a learning experience than they bargained for.

Thoughts?

[secondstar05]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 11:42am

Okay, I wasn't at the signing, but I can comment on this. It is my opinion that, in recent years, parents have been kind of slack about monitoring what their children read/watch/listen to. I mean, I don't believe in censorship by any means, but I do believe that there are some things that are only appropriate for certain ages, and parents should be more aware of the entertainment they allow their younger children to experience.

That being said, it is my thought that these parents probably aren't aware of the adult themes featured in the book, or they are just really open-minded (almost to a fault, I'd say) about what their kids read. *shrug*

[xM3L24x]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 11:45am

I'm sure that the parents just assume it's a book about the muscial RENT and Jonathan Larson and Anthony Rapp. They probably figure it's like the RENT bible.. even though it's not. My mom asked me what book I bought at the store yesterday and I just said Without You by Anthony Rapp and she said 'oh, thats nice'.

[katygrace84]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 11:47am

As an adult who was there, Mauri, I was shocked as well. The number of parents who don't ask questions about what their children are interested in never ceases to amaze me. These are the same parents who then turn around and get angry at writers/musicians/actors etc. for creating the work. If you ask me parents of kids in the generation behind me seem to have dropped the ball a bit when it comes to accountability.
I'm editing this to basically say that I completely agree with you, Second Star. Parents need to open up their eyes a bit and see that if they're upset about what their children are seeing/hearing/reading they have no one to blame but themselves.
Updated On: 2/9/06 at 11:47 AM

[secondstar05]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 11:51am

That's what I figured they were thinking, too, Mel. But in that regard, I have to wonder how much parents know about RENT, too. I mean, maybe it's just me, but I feel that Rent features some themes not suitable for younger kids, as well. *shrug*

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 11:51am

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.

Updated On: 2/9/06 at 11:51 AM

[xM3L24x]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 12:00pm

I haven't read up to the parts that your talking about yet..so I can't really add anything, but a part of me thinks that many of those 11 year olds probably didn't even read the book.

[secondstar05]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 12:01pm

You bring up several good points, Em, and looking back at my post, I see that I came across as though I was lumping Without You in with the violent and obscene media that children are also being exposed to. That was certainly not my intention.

If Without You can be used as a way to build communication between parents and their children about certain issues (and I believe it definitely can), then I absolutely believe it should be read by these kids. Certainly, some kids are more mature than others, and I don't think the book should be restricted from them. My only intention was to point out that parents should make efforts to be more informed about what their children are being exposed to.

...I hope I worded it better this time.

[tlp70]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 12:02pm

As a parent of a 10 year old, I was a little shocked to see the younger kids there. My daughter begged me to go because she adores Anthony. But since this was specifically for his book, in which I knew there were very adult themes, I told her she wasn't old enough to attend. She wasn't happy, but I still believe that was the right decision. And I am a pretty lenient parent when it comes to most stuff. I'm sure most parents think Rent in general is not appropriate for someone her age, but I think the overriding message of the story outweighs the few inappropriate words she may pick up. The sexual themes in Rent are a bit too mature for her, but she's already picking up so much stuff in school that I actually welcome anything that opens up a dialogue between us on these subject matters.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 12:04pm

If Without You can be used as a way to build communication between parents and their children about certain issues (and I believe it definitely can)

I totally agree, after experiencing the immediate effects. And those are why I WANT my mom to read it. We'll see. She's curious, at least.

[xM3L24x]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 12:05pm

if my mom didn't let me go I would be crushed.

[secondstar05]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 12:07pm

I hope your mom reads it, Em. I already told my mom that she has to. Hehe.

Just let me add that I ABSOLUTELY believe that the overall themes of both Rent and Without You FAR outweigh any of the minor themes and situations featured in them.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 12:18pm

My mother's latest is that she wants to meet Anthony if I ask him to dance on the tables at the Life Cafe. *facepalm*

[xM3L24x]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 12:19pm

hahaha.. I'd love to see that one.

[katygrace84]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 12:20pm

I just want to say that I wholeheartedly agree with you, Em and secondstar. As my mom and I are now in the porcess of losing her mother (my grandmother) in a very slow manner, I would actually like her to read it as well, but I have the same fears as Em. Nevertheless, this book has helped me "prepare" a bit for my own impending loss. Which is something I never thought I would be able to do.
On the matter of the sexual situations in the book, I agree that it could be a very useful tool for parents to start a dialogue with their children. It's certainly a much more responsible representation than most of the others in the media today.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 12:23pm

I think, personally, what I took most from it has to do with the working, living, breathing relationship between mother and child. My mom and I don't often get along perfectly, but this brought a lot to front for me, about relating with my mom, etc.

[secondstar05]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 12:23pm

Em: hehe... Moms are silly (but wonderful, of course).

Katy: I'm so sorry to hear that about your grandmother, but I'm glad that Without You has been able to help you (as much as it can, anyway).

[secondstar05]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 12:27pm

It did that for me, too, Em. I am currently in my first year of college, and I've been so caught up in everything lately that the line of communication between myself and my mother has been greatly reduced. Reading this book prompted me to just call her out of the blue to tell her how much I miss her, and she was so happy to hear it, I felt bad for not doing it sooner.

[justkidding]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 12:28pm

Hi all! I thought I'd introduce myself. My lurking has ended since I'm now caught up on the conversation.
Continue on....

[secondstar05]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 12:29pm

Hi and welcome, jk! *waves* Love the avatar.

Updated On: 2/9/06 at 12:29 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 12:30pm

oh my gosh. EUREKA!!

Hi.

[tlp70]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 12:32pm

Hello, justkidding. Welcome out of lurkdom! I just recently made the jump myself.

[katygrace84]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 12:38pm

That aspect of the book was important to me, as well. My mom and I have always been close, but we do differ quite a bit on spiritual, political and social issues. And since we're both so fiery and opinionated, it can cause friction. I happened to finish this book the day my mom was coming to visit me and it definitely changed my attitudes and the way I approached the visit. We had a wonderful time that I will never ever forget.

And thank you, secondstar. These last few years have definitely been very difficult for us.

Posted: 2/9/06 at 12:38pm

Welcome all who are new!!!!

I didn't realize that the book, had those things in it, I can't wait to read it!

[Fantabulous428]

Posted: 2/9/06 at 12:44pm

Hi, justkidding.

Welcome to the craziness!