In support of John Green

Finally something to blog about!

The Daily Mail and all of its stupidity, trying to suggest that "sic-lit" for children is cruel, and immoral. I'm sorry. Daily Mail, what are you doing with your life?

It dreadfully over simplifies the plot of The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, to the point where I read it, gasped,then refused to touch anything Daily Mail related in my life. I just don't want any of that filth on my hands.

The Fault in Our Stars is beautiful, and insightful, and actually shows cancer victims as real people. So teenagers with cancer can't fall in love? Can't be happy/funny/clever/anything other than an angel with an illness?

The sad thing is the censorship that is being encouraged. This is life. This is not over dramatised or made gory for no reason! The article suggests that another book is the reason for young girls and boys self harming, without questioning mental health or situation. If a completely happy, worry free girl read the book, she wouldn't then go and pick up a blade! Books help us express things, teach us things about ourselves that we maybe never even knew! That's the beauty of it.

Personally I feel a little insulted. At 16, I am the target age for some of these books. I am not an idiot, a hooligan, or anything else associated with my age group. I do NOT need anybody deciding what I should or shouldn't be reading, just be thankful that I do! Unlike the writer of this article, John Green actually understands teenagers - that they can be smart, and have real feelings, and can make decisions.

The guardian responded defending John Green and the genre in general, whilst making fun of the perpetrator in question. Well done Guardian! John Green linked to a song showing the absurdity and the lies that the Daily Mail regularly tells, which I think shows that John isn't actually too bothered about the article. It's like being angry at a naughty baby; it's pointless trying to change their ignorance, as their cognitive development just isn't at that level yet.

John is doing a book tour throughout the UK, and on Monday I will be trying to get a ticket, to meet the author that inspires me, moves me, and at times gives me strength to be the person I actually want to be.
And henceforth, I will never pick up a copy of the Daily Mail as long as I live.

DFTBA