Poison Ink by Christopher Golden had a great concept to start: A group of girls plan to get a tattoo to bond them in friendship, but all goes wrong; hence the title. It intrigued me. I liked the idea of something that we do to ourselves warping us into people we aren't, and for a while, I really liked the story... until the end.
What started out as a fascinating look into the definition of friendship ended in a twisted gore-fest. Now, please don't get me wrong. I have no problem with gore or twisted stories in books. Usually that makes for a more interesting story. This even had a little bit of magic in it, which, though I don't look for it, if it shows up doesn't scare me off or anything. But this went from a story that could have taught a lesson on the true meaning of friendship and what it means to stand by your friends to, well, like I said before and for lack of another description, a gore-fest.
Maybe my problem is that I believe that every book, no matter what the subject, should have some redeeming value in a lesson it teaches. This can come through things that the characters do or don't do and the consequences that come from those decisions or actions. Books should make us think twice about ourselves as people, as friends, as daughters/sons, as mothers/fathers as girlfriends/boyfriends and wives/husbands. If a book in some way doesn't make you question your motives or actions, then in my option it doesn't do it's job.
That's not to say, of course, that a book can't be written for entertainment purposes only. Many are, but still those books can still have something more to give than a basic story. Take a few examples: Green Eggs and Ham-- Lesson: Try something new; you may like it. Circue du Freak 1-- Lesson: Don't steal, don't judge people by the way they look, things may not be what they seem on the surface. Wake--Lesson: Our dreams can often hide our deepest fears or our greatest desires. Do you see where I'm going with this?
No matter what the story, there is always something lying "Between the lines." :) In my own opinion, Poison Ink falls short of this necessary goal.
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ReplyDeletehey that sounds like a really cool book. i'd like to read it but our school library is very limited and they dont have it nor do they have many other interesting books in my opinion lol. hence the fact that i dont know how i would get the book to read so i think we should do it for book club: ]
ReplyDeleteJess, the library can always get you a book if you want. You can even tell Mrs. Lundquist that the Sinclairville library has a copy. I'm sure she'd get it for you. Also, you can request her to purchase materials. They will at least keep a list for the next time they can purchase.
ReplyDeleteI do have to admit that I laughed at your comment. I ranted on and on about how I didn't like the book an you said, "That sounds like a cool book!" :) I guess that's why there are so many different types of books out there. Everyone has different taste.
PS. I would not recommend it for book club.
ReplyDeleteActually, me and Jessica were talking about this in study hall today..
ReplyDeleteIf we would actually get a tattoo to bond in friendship. I think we can to the conclusion that we would do it. Sounds cool... How it would go wrong, I don't understand how it would, or could...
P.S. Note to Jessica: Only old people use the words hence or nor :) And you are not funny. And if I remember correctly, you wrote your comment during school hours, you should get in trouble for that :)
Ahhh Jessica.
Here is an old lady's opinion.
ReplyDeleteI have no problem with tattoos, but I will say that had I gotten one when I was younger, it would not mean as much to me now. I am no longer friends with the people I hung out with when I was your age or even in high school. It's not that I don't want those friends, but that life sometimes goes in such a way that old friends part ways. So, my advice to you is this. Be very careful in your choices when it comes to something permanent. Like I said, I would choose something totally different now than I ever would have then.