I was sitting in the Wash Room a few days ago, diligently reading my copy of Little Women. Upon realizing exactly what book I was reading, a guy sitting near me exclaimed:
“Oh! I hate that book! My mother made me read it when I was seven and I couldn’t stand it!”
So this proves three things.
1) While it is possible that a father giving his daughter Little Women will result in a positive experience for her, the reverse is not true. Boys just don’t seem to enjoy this book, even if given to them by their mothers.
2) Even people who don’t like this novel care intensely about it. It wasn’t just a mediocre “Oh, I had to read that once and didn’t like it too much.” It was an angry, passionate response!
3) His mother may have been in denial. Or sadistic. Or both.