Just a quick entry on my first impression of a fantastic new book from Tundra Books, You Can't Read This, by Val Ross. It's subtitled "Forbidden Books, Lost Writing, Mistranslations and Codes" and is actually a YA history of reading and writing. It begins with a chapter on the ancient city of Ur (in Mesopotamia - now Iraq) and from there I've read about Arthur Evans and the search for proof that Troy existed and Marcus Lucan and how poetry helped to bring down Emperor Nero of Rome. Ross zips right along as she carries her readers through history and each chapter reads like it's own separate adventure story.
Can you believe it - adventure stories about Greek language and Roman poets! Oh joy!!!
The cover looks great with a huge padlock and chain, illustrating how education was forbidden for so long to so many. Of course this sort of title has an enormous amount of significance today as we struggle even in the US to provide an adequate education to our population and the scene in places like Afghanistan and the Sudan is far far worse.
I've only gotten about 1/4 through the book but I am really impressed. I would not have thought that an author could be so compelling on this subject but Ross is fantastic. And although young adults would certainly enjoy it and be able to easily follow it, it's for anyone who loves books about books and writing. More on this title later as I enjoy it, but it will certainly be in my July column on nonfiction titles.
May 3
2006
11:23 AM
Hugs to you (Jessa told us all to, seeing as how Bookslut is now 4)!!
And this book sounds really interesting; I'll have to keep my eye out for it.