Colson Whitehead on Categories
Apparently there was some “controversy” over Colson Whitehead responding to a question about Young Adult books following a reading. Asked for a comment Whitehead explained how he feels about categorizing books.
“Labels bug me. My first ideal reader was a teenage version of myself; someone who might randomly come across my book and be changed by it, the way I was changed by so many books in that key time. Then I started publishing, and the people who came to see me read were so varied – old, young, black, white, redheaded, balding, etc. – that it seemed dumb to have a mental picture of my ideal reader. It’s a blessing if anyone reads your book at all. But if she or he is a “Young Adult,” great. With braces & a bad slouch, even better.” …more
May 8th, 2009 at 10:34 am
This is much ado about nada.
May 8th, 2009 at 10:35 am
But his comments on categories is interesting. I’m not interested in the original misunderstanding.
May 8th, 2009 at 10:44 am
I see your point.
There was this interesting piece in the NY Times a while back on “adult” novels categorized as YA:
http://tinyurl.com/rx2zwh