I have running arguments with my AP English teacher about what makes a book AP-level, why I don't like any of the books we've read so far this year, and what kind of books I would want to read instead. We also argue about magic realism vs. sf/f (we read Beloved, by Toni Morrison for class).
When she asks me what books I would have us read, I generally start with Card and go from there. Even though she likes Harry Potter, she's somewhat dismissive of sf/f when it comes to AP books. She's heard of Ender's Game, but hasn't read any Card, so I got her to agree to read a Card short story.
Now I need help picking the right one. I thought about Homeless in Hell, since it's my favorite Card story, but I don't know if it has enough "depth" to sufficently impress her. Then I thought about the Lost Boys short story, since it uses a similar device to that in Beloved, which she classifies as magic realism. But I don't know. What I really want is a sf or fantasy story that has enough depth, or seriousness, or whatever it is that makes something AP level to convince her both that Card is a great writer and that sf and fantasy are legitimate storytelling tools, even for something as weighty as AP. I have access to most of Card's stories through my own collection and the library, so I'm open to any and all suggestions. Please help me!
[ April 10, 2003, 12:30 AM: Message edited by: Miro ]
Posted by Jill (Member # 3376) on :
What about the "Ender's Game" short story?
Posted by MattB (Member # 1116) on :
If she thinks that obscure, complex, and arty = quality, give her "A Plague of Butterflies."
"Unaccompanied Sonata," however, is probably about as good as it gets.
Posted by Yozhik (Member # 89) on :
What about "A Sephulchre of Songs"?
Posted by hansenj (Member # 4034) on :
I'll second MattB's suggestion for Unaccompanied Sonata, it's wonderful.
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
Unaccompanied Sonata is truly masterful. Another one that might appeal to a teacher, if only for all the literary references, is The Changed Man and the King of Words. I also think The Porcelain Salamander would be good in a classroom setting, but maybe not English. It's one of his more poetic-sounding stories (in my mind), but it's the philosophy rather than the writing that stays in my mind. The Bully and the Beast is great, too, or The Princess and the Bear.
Well, shoot -- I like 'em all, pretty much. I'll be of no help.
--Pop
Posted by Shawn Smyres (Member # 4350) on :
One of my favorite OSC short stories was in a book called "Chrysalis 7." I think it was called Cross Country Trip to Kill Richard Nixon. Very funny and touching.
Ziggy is one of my favorite characters that OSC created.
Shawn Smyres
Posted by Vampyr1818 (Member # 4592) on :
I have adopted the theory that you should never reccomend or suggest a book to a teacher especially an English teacher. They say they will get around to it but never have time or forget, right now I am mad beyond reason because I have an ENglish teacher who is obssessed with Potter and will not even listen if I start off by saying, "I have found a book better then Harry potter, she won't listen. Whenever I try to tell her about a book I have to say it probably isn't as good as Potter and it makes me so blabbing mad. I agree that HP is great but we all know there are other books out there.
Posted by Javertv (Member # 4793) on :
Sorry, but when it comes to Advanced Placement material, only books of "literary merit" can be chosen. Fantasy and science fiction novels are excluded, with perhaps the exception of Asimov. Even Lord of the Rings, voted greatest novel of the 20th Century, cannot be used as a source for the AP test in May. Speaking of which...gotta get back to studying that...
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
Actually, I got a perfect "5" on my AP test -- although this was years ago, mind you -- by using Lord of the Rings and Brave New World to illustrate the use of place as metaphor.
Posted by Miro (Member # 1178) on :
Ok, now I feel stupid. I know I've read "Sepulchre of Songs", but I can't remember what it's about. And I'm not sure if I've ever even heard of "A Plague of Butterflies". Could someone please remind/tell me what they're about?
Papa Moose - That's my problem too. I really like so many of them that it's hard to choose.
Posted by Jeni (Member # 1454) on :
I read LotR in AP English.
I'll put in another vote for Unaccompanied Sonata.
Posted by skantman (Member # 4841) on :
Ender's Game, Unaccompanied Sonata, A Cross-country Trip to Kill Richard Nixon, Dowser, A Plague of Butterflies ...
If she doesn't like any one of those she needs to check her credentials as an English teacher, IMO.
Posted by Miro (Member # 1178) on :
It's not so much that I'm worried about her liking the story, I think she probably will like most any of the Card stories I would choose to put in front of her. What I'm really aiming for is to get her to respect the story I choose.
Posted by Javertv (Member # 4793) on :
Wow, they accepted LotR !! "evil grin spreads on my face."
Posted by blacwolve (Member # 2972) on :
I wouldn't advise the Ender's Game short story, while it's very good, it isn't on par with his later work.
Posted by Miro (Member # 1178) on :
Ok, I gave her Homeless in Hell first. She liked it, but didn't think it AP material. Then I gave her the Originist, but she hadn't finished it when I last talked to her, so I won't know what she thought of it until next school year. I think I might try Unaccompanied Sonata next.
Posted by MattB (Member # 1116) on :
Heck, I think you should have tried it first.
I think that The Originist wouldn't make much sense unless you know about Foundation, but it's been a while since I've read it.
Posted by Scott R (Member # 567) on :
My favorite OSC short story has always been Dogwalker.
I just dig that fancy parlance.
Posted by Wreicheous (Member # 5390) on :
I think I saw the film version, of that.
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
The film version of Dogwalker? I didn't realize it was out yet. Hey Geoff, why haven't you been keeping us updated?
Posted by Wreicheous (Member # 5390) on :
Ya, it didnt seem, much like the other books of his I'd read, but it had, kind of, a sci-fi mind-control, theme to it.
Heres the cover for it.
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
Are you sure this is the same Dogwalker? Check it against the short story here. I can't imagine they're the same. [Edit - typo]
[ July 10, 2003, 05:39 PM: Message edited by: Papa Moose ]
Posted by Wreicheous (Member # 5390) on :
OMFGLOL, that doesnt seem much like the dog walker I watched!
"Walking the edge, the excitement, the fear, the arousal! - The rush of life. But where does it all lead? Who is waiting? Steven St. Croix is a man on the edge. But he's used up all his margin for safety. All that's left is the cutting, the torture, the pain. Christina Angel, in exquisite, Angelic Beauty, Krysti Lynn dishing out the tease/torture like only she can, and Isis Nile as the temptress of the night. Director John Leslie's most ambitious film."
Posted by Miro (Member # 1178) on :
quote: I think that The Originist wouldn't make much sense unless you know about Foundation, but it's been a while since I've read it.
I had never read any of the Foundation when I read The Originist. It's what got me to read Asimov and be sorely disappointed that it was so different.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)