I’m a big believer in the notion that literature reflects the values of the society that produces it. Just because I don’t like something, doesn’t mean it has no intrinsic cultural value. But every so often, IÂ respond emotionally to the way the flavour of the month is compared to the great works of our time.
Case in point, look at the best seller list I took off the Borders Australia website. A Twilight novel in the same list as Catcher in the Rye and Animal Farm. Topping them in fact. Blows my head.
On the one hand, I think it’s great that there are books that get young people reading. I guess I just wish they weren’t about encouraging young girls to take the wrong expectation of men in relationships. Or accepting as historical fact, debunked conspiracy theories about a religious organisation.
Reading for entertainment is great, but I wish I could see it translating into broadened horizons instead of just passing fads.