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I remember a few years ago when Mom mentioned she was reading a novel set in and around the Vatican. The same book was later made into a movie starring Tom Hanks. Chatting later about books we’d read, I happened to mention Mom’s choice to a friend of mine, a practicing Catholic. I jumped when she recoiled and then said in a small whisper, like someone was listening, “We’re banned from reading that book.”
My mind immediately screeched to a halt as I said out loud, “They still do that?”
“Oh yes, it’s in the church bulletin and there’s been quite a bit of controversy about it.”
Stupefied, I gave pause.
Recently I was gifted the book. The one that’s topping the best seller lists and driving up sales of grey ties.
So far, I’m finding it to be well written ~ an interesting mix of characters navigating through a meandering plot. And yes, parts of it far exceed my comfort zone. Here’s the rub people — this is why it’s categorized as m-a-t-u-r-e reading.
The same friend told me recently that this book was cited in the church bulletin as one not to be read. Whispering, she said, “it’s considered pornography.”
Stupefied, I once again gave pause.
I haven’t said I liked the book and I’m not sure I’ll finish it. And, adding to that, I’m not sure that IF I finish it I’ll read the next two in the series. But I can tell you this with absolute certainty: no one’s going to make that decision but me.
“Lock up your libraries if you like, but there is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind.” ― Virginia Woolf, A Room Of One’s Own
Do tell: I want to hear your thoughts on this topic!
