Recently, I read about Laurie Forest’s THE BLACK WITCH and the Twitter war it created. After reading two or three articles, I wanted to read the book for myself. Sometimes bad press is better than no press.
Luckily, my local library could acquire a copy. So off I went dashing headlong into Forest’s world, keeping thoughts about accusations of racism in the recess of my mind. While the writing is not as crisp or as descriptive as I usually like, and the protagonist, yes, I said protagonist, Elloren changes too quickly from naive country girl to university survivor of Mean Girls, I did not find evidence of the kind of racism or homophobia about which I had read.
Don’t get me wrong. There are definitely things that Elloren does or says that made me flinch and twitch. But I did not throw the book across the room and utter a primordial scream. And this is because the offensive actions and statements are part of Elloren’s transformation from ignorant person of privilege to curious student of the other. While she cringes in the mirror of truth about her heritage, she seeks information from those she fears, or loathes.
Now I must confess that I am only half-way through, but Forest’s first foray into fantasy is worthy of being read. Good books have the power to make a reader feel, and feel I have while reading The Black Witch.
Is it too controversial for the YA market?
I don’t think so. I grew up reading Dragonflight by Anne McCaffrey at twelve. Then there was The Bell Jar, and Dinky Hocker Shoots Smack. And who can forget Terry Brook’s Shannara Series? I was fifteen when I first read Dean Koontz’ Phantoms. While these were more gritty than the usual Judy Blume, or Paula Danzigger, they spoke to me as a kid. Then again, there weren’t too many YA books back then, and the adult section of the library was my playground.
Yes, these are different times. But what bothers me the most about the upheaval over Forest’s novel, is that it appears that a good many people who bashed the book on Good Reads never even read it. They heard “racism” and decided to go to war. I assume this happened on Amazon as well. American Culture seems rife with the obsession with shiny trinkets that distract. It’s like we fall in love with the shiny wrapping paper and forget to open the box inside. Rarely do we READ the entire article or book without forming an opinion. We exist in a social media vacuum that depends upon likes and dislikes, or simply, the click of a button. It’s quite a superficial experience.
Racism has become an inflammatory word that ignites hate, but we need to feel comfortable reading texts that make us question our society, even when they shine a light on our darkest shadows. Through common texts we can examine our own reality and face our challenges.
Sensitivity towards others’ experiences is a necessity in this century. But exploration of our own views is fundamental for our growth.
Happy Reading!
J Monell
Meandering Through Midlife 