tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872511076454850581.post8438327491038044749..comments2023-07-16T04:49:49.838-07:00Comments on Great stories: Not for the faint- heartedPaula Westonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15257475233897059248noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872511076454850581.post-41685051928875351552009-02-15T18:39:00.000-08:002009-02-15T18:39:00.000-08:00Hi Paula, yes, well definitely not for me - you go...Hi Paula, yes, well definitely not for me - you got that right :). And if I had the time I'd love to put together a thoughtful and well-articulated response to the quote: “There is nothing wrong with being horrified or sickened and nothing terribly bad happens to us when we are. I think it is more likely that something good will happen: we might be moved.” Because that is an opinion that can only be valid for the person who expressed it. And being moved is only good if it spurs you to action, or makes you a better or more compassionate person. For myself, I find terribly bad things CAN happen when I am horrified or sickened by things. I can have nightmares for nights on end, I can have my days coloured by feelings of despair or depression...and yes I guess it means I have been moved, but unless I have actually been educated in something that was previously unknown to me and that was important to know....then what's the point? For example, since the Victorian Bushfires I have read the most heartbreaking, sickening and terrifying personal accounts of what happened. But this I did not shy away from. Because it moved me to action. I need to know. And I did, and am doing, what I can. So the feelings of horror and sadness are worth it. Although, I must admit, that a few days in I even had to restrict the amount of news and personal blogs I read, because when it all got too much I would feel almost paralysed by the enormity of the tragedy - that nothing I could do could help. So I think there must be a balance. Don't hide from the world by refusing to read or listen to anything remotely disturbing. But don't allow yourself to get caught up in the indulgent self-flagellation of disturbing stories just for the sake of it...<BR/><BR/>Sorry, like I said, if I had time I'd try and articulate this a bit better. But anyway, of course when it comes down to it - this is a personal theory that is applicable to me only. Only you know what is ok for you. So there you go - that was my own little self-indulgent rant - whew - aren't you glad you asked?!!!!!! :OBechttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13723810605485842824noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872511076454850581.post-39361688472656287632009-02-15T17:15:00.000-08:002009-02-15T17:15:00.000-08:00Hi Linda,Thanks for the comment. I've read Water f...Hi Linda,<BR/>Thanks for the comment. I've read Water for Elephants and loved it too, and can I just say, The Pilo Family Circus is NOTHING like that. I seriously don't think it will help you like circuses any better... Unless, of course, you can look at all other circuses and think "well, they're not as bad as the Pilo circus"... Now that I think about it, the Pilo circus at least didn't have trained animals, which is one plus... just freaks and monsters. But if you do get around to reading it at some point, please let me know how you found it.Paula Westonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15257475233897059248noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-872511076454850581.post-73174381321636505522009-02-15T04:40:00.000-08:002009-02-15T04:40:00.000-08:00You pose an interesting question here. I certainl...You pose an interesting question here. I certainly don't shy away from horror stories. Like you say, we are just sitting somewhere reading and it isn't happening to us. I'm more interested in being entertained by good writing.<BR/><BR/>What I do have a problem with is circus or clown stories. Those I always veer away from. I know it's wrong and I'm trying to overcome that prejudice. It took me forever to read <EM>Water for Elephants</EM> and only did so because my friend raved about it and lent me the book so I felt like I had to. And you know what? I loved it!<BR/><BR/>So, I might just look for this one!Linda Jacobshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14459940700516084069noreply@blogger.com