BUG (Big Ugly Guy)
May. 30th, 2013 11:18 pmBUG (Big Ugly Guy) is a children's book about a boy bullied at school, who learns how to make a Golem to protect himself, even though he's warned that it will go horribly wrong and the golem will become violent. And he makes a lot of friends and starts a band, with some of them and with the golem as drummer. And it goes horribly wrong in various ways, but mostly comes out ok in the end, and everyone except the golem and the bully are happy.
I enjoyed it, but it didn't push the same buttons for an adult who's already familiar with narrative structure as some children's books do.
In fact, I was a lot more interested in various peripheral thoughts.
It's very strange to read stories of serious bullying, because I constantly think "ok, bullying happens, but when people are put in hospital, surely the police will take an interest?" But I know perfectly well there's lots of places where there is no authority.
The golem, Gully, was really touching in the flashes of humanity he shows. In fact, it's really depressing to see the story from his point of view. Being created to love exactly one person, alternately praised and shouted at when you try to protect them. Learning to be a drummer. And then committing suicide to stop yourself hurting him :(
I'm getting impatient with both eager young apprentices who don't listen to reason and old mentors who dispense gnomic advice. Sure, you can't always instil a general agreement about which actions are too risky/too cautious. But if there's some specific action at question, try talking about specifics and see if you actually disagree or are just talking past each other.
I enjoyed it, but it didn't push the same buttons for an adult who's already familiar with narrative structure as some children's books do.
In fact, I was a lot more interested in various peripheral thoughts.
It's very strange to read stories of serious bullying, because I constantly think "ok, bullying happens, but when people are put in hospital, surely the police will take an interest?" But I know perfectly well there's lots of places where there is no authority.
The golem, Gully, was really touching in the flashes of humanity he shows. In fact, it's really depressing to see the story from his point of view. Being created to love exactly one person, alternately praised and shouted at when you try to protect them. Learning to be a drummer. And then committing suicide to stop yourself hurting him :(
I'm getting impatient with both eager young apprentices who don't listen to reason and old mentors who dispense gnomic advice. Sure, you can't always instil a general agreement about which actions are too risky/too cautious. But if there's some specific action at question, try talking about specifics and see if you actually disagree or are just talking past each other.