The continued saga of attempting to bring up sensible daughters.

[elisi]

Miss M (12 in November), is currently reading two books: Jane Eyre and... Twilight. She found the former in her school library (SO MANY BOOKS! \o/) and - even though we of course have a copy - decided to borrow it. (The school one is, naturally, better.) She likes it very much and was telling me how exciting it was, since Jane liked Mr Rochester and Mr Rochester liked Jane, but neither of them was telling the other - and I realised that she's never really come across this trope before, and to have her first experience be Jane Eyre is pretty fabulous. :)

She also (since ALL her friends are into the series) decided to borrow Twilight off one of her friends, and I figured that if she read it alongside classical, romantic literature it might show itself up for what it is. And this has indeed been the case. Verdict so far? Terrible book, but she can't stop reading. Plus Bella focusses only on Edward and that got old pretty quickly. Also, of course, she's noticed how clumsy Bella is (which she finds pretty hilarious) and how she has all the other boys running after her (I explained how this was probably a reflection on SMeyer's desire to rewrite her own High School years...).

My girl has a well developed sense of snark, and I have a feeling it'll come out in force before long. Plus we can have lots of talks about what constitutes acceptable behaviour when it comes to relationships. (Not that she's there yet - boys are annoying and stupid and loud, mostly.)

Anyway, she's giving Jane Eyre a rest, since it's just become VERY SAD because Jane's left him, and Miss M is rather worried. ♥

Comments

[elisi]

I think it's the perfect combination of books! Two stories of overwrought, overwritten romance and gothic excess, but the perfect how-to/how-not-to contrast. :)
Exactly! And Jane Eyre is no Bella> :)

I remember reading Pride and Prejudice when I was twelve and having - for the first time, I think - that feeling of reading words but experiencing a story that was somehow not the words. Stories of things not said can be magical.
Oh that's a wonderful description. Yes, very much so. (I hope you're doing well? Or are you writing a post all about how things are going that I should consult? ETA: Clearly that is the case! Ignore my questions!)

[the-royal-anna.livejournal.com]

I think a post about how things are going is a bit beyond me just now! Individually things are all fine, and collectively they are slowly pickling my brain. I can manage pictures though. ;)

[elisi]

Oh I know the feeling. Will comment on the pictures asap! :)