Boys who read Pride & Prejudice
October 12, 2007 5:05 pm Living Books & Classics, Love of Learning, Mentoring, Raising Leaders, ReadingThe first book on my son’s reading list this year was Pride & Prejudice. He was dreading it.
But I still remember a Sunday School teacher in Texas saying that is one of his favorite books. Plus, one of our best friends wrote a book about Jane Austen. The first chapter starts with something like, “Real Men Read Jane Austen”. So, I figured he could handle it.
Well, he made it half-way through the book!
I guess that’s good, considering the murmuring around our house about the book.
Even though he didn’t finish the book, we had some great discussions. Last night he told us he got to the part where Darcy asks Elizabeth to marry him the first time. He went on to say that Elizabeth was just disgusting. She made him so mad.
Well, I guess the book provoked emotion in my 14yo son. Maybe not the same emotion my 17yo daughter & I had, but emotion nonetheless.
He went on to say that he couldn’t stand Elizabeth and the way she talked about people. He couldn’t understand why she would say and the way she did. I guess he hit upon some real truths about girls.
I was excited he had an opinion about the book. When I talked to him about the book, he would barely discuss it with me. Last night at dinner was the most lively discussion we’ve had. That’s probably because his big sister kept quiet and let him talk about P & P for the first time.
Even if your kids don’t like a book, that’s okay. Let them talk about it and express their feelings…especially if they are different from yours!
Kerry
ps. What book will you be reading this week? Will your kids have an opinion about it?
pps. I just realized my non-reading son really does have opinions about our readings. Just this morning, he stopped our read-aloud and asked why we had to read about geeks who liked school….We were reading about Louis Pasteur!
Hey, at least he was listening and taking it in! Do your kids oppose your opinion? That’s good because they are interacting with the text!
senoragose :
Date: October 15, 2007 @ 5:23 pm
I’m reading Secret Garden right now - My oldest child is 5, and youngest is 10 months, (there are four of them) so I’m trying to read all the “younger classics” so that they’ll be ready to listen in another year or so. Right now, they’ll listen while playing blocks and such, but I think when there are at least two that can comprehend a bit better, it’ll be time better spent. If it doesn’t have pictures, I can’t get even two to sit still. So, we’re STARTING the inspire ideals, but I have to admit, it’s slow going!
I’m also looking for a biography on Napoleon (I Hate history, and heard biographies are a good way to get more meet and interesting facts) - any suggestions on a good, fairly fast read?
Thanks!
Suzanne “Señora” Gose
sturnercon :
Date: October 15, 2007 @ 5:25 pm
Thanks for posting about P & P and your son. My son (8 1/2) loves to read, but gripes about writing (and schoolwork in general!).
My daughter (almost 12) also loves to read, but has a harder time with reading things I require of her. She just finished “Little Britches,” but I really had to push her, and I don’t like doing it.
Both kids have never really enjoyed me reading to them, unless I choose books they pick. This has been difficult because a friend of mine frequently tells me what she’s reading to her kids and how much they enjoy it! I have to remind myself not to be envious, just because my kids don’t want me to read “Swallows and Amazon” to them!
Anyway, it’s good to hear a fellow homeschool mom with high hopes struggling along with the rest of us!
Blessings,
Susan
Kerry :
Date: October 15, 2007 @ 8:56 pm
It’s really hard when we compare ourselves to other families. At least that’s my experience. Actually, my son loves to read…..Sports Illustrated and the Sports section of the newspaper
He just hates history! And tells me on a regular basis. He never really complains about science, but today he told me he fell asleep reading his literature book. BTW, he didn’t fall asleep reading his book last week. It was a bio of Cal Ripken Jr!
Bio of Napoleon…not too sure. We did finish reading In The Reign of Terror a week ago. It’s a Henty book about the French Revolution, just before Napoleon came to power. My 14yo son even enjoyed it.
Kerry
Jan P. :
Date: October 16, 2007 @ 9:49 am
Wow! I couldn’t get my ds to watch the movie, Pride and Prejudice, and he certainly didn’t want to read the book. I’m glad you had a couple of good discussions with your ds, and maybe in the future when he is older and wiser then he’ll change his opinion. My dh loves Jane Austin films, and loves the humorous lines.
Blessings,
Jan P.
thescrappywife :
Date: October 16, 2007 @ 11:15 pm
I’ve read all of Jane Austen’s works, and enjoyed them. It’s helpful to understand the background/social customs of the era in which these stories are set.
Right now I’m reading The Innocent Man by John Grisham (recommended by my father). I recently finished Wish You Well by David Baldacci. I’m trying to convince my oldest son to read it, as there are a lot of home truths and good values presented.
Blessings,
Amber