Just when I thought the conversation at The Elegant Variation might be slowing down, things returned to the issue of whether or not Frankenstein could be considered science fiction. I have officially checked out of posting now because I'm okay with Mary Shelley's masterpiece being horror, science fiction or even - shit - a very very twisted chick lit novel. (Come on, you know it's all one big homoerotic fantasy, right?!) But what bothers me is that it is the so-called "literary" contingent that resists genre assignment for Frankenstein. It would be one thing if folks were all wondering if it was more horror, sci fi or whatever, but so many of the posters were bound and determined to insist that the classic either predated the definition of science fiction, or included fantastical elements that meant it could not be science fiction (which apparently must be realistic on some level) or just flat out could not be anything like science fiction.

It has to be literature, period, and please don't suggest otherwise.

It's funny but the lit people are always wondering why the genre folks are so defensive and then they turn around and slap slap slap away at any hint of genre titles rising above literary ones. Why are we defensive? Because you made us this way ladies and gentlemen. Because you make us this way everytime we get together.

In happier reading news, I just reviewed Sippewissett for Booklist and while I can't go into detail, if you know anyone even remotely interested in natural history or life in New England titles, then this is the one for them. I'll be writing a long review of it for Bookslut and will gush appropriately later.

I also finished Three Wishes: Palestinian and Israeli Children Speak and I'm so disturbed by what I read in this book. Author Deborah Ellis did a great job of interviewing all kinds of kids (8-18) on how they feel about the war and their future - she has children living in the settlements, Gaza, the West Bank, either side of Jerusalem, etc. Some of them are recent immigrants while others have long roots in the region. They are, each of them, achingly honest and it is that honesty that is truly heart breaking.

"When I walk through the Old City of Jerusalem and see the Arabs there, I don't want to see them. I don't want them to be there. They make me angry." - Elisheva

And on and on. There are hopeful children in here, but they seem silenced by the litany of anger on both sides. It's a small and staggering collection, but it gets the point across. It makes you want to cry.

In literary news, The Guardian reviews a new biography of Leonard Woolf that sounds quite good. I knew very little about him until I bought his wonderful autobiographical novel The Wise Virgins from Persephone last year. Can't recommend that one enough - it's an excellent character study separate from what it reveals about the Woolfs' relationship.

Dara Horn's new book, The World to Come is also reviewed this week. I've been curious about her since I read an interview in the last issue of Eclectica. Honestly, I think we were separated at birth as we have all the same young adult reading influences. I'm adding this title to my holiday wish list - sounds too good to pass up.

And finally, dear God - someone else wants Harry to die. (Could we please just let this go??!)

Oh - one more - the real Mrs. Moneypenny! How cool is this?!