An “offensive word” in Jacqueline Wilson’s latest novel, My Sister Jodie (Random House, UK), will replaced with another as a result of three parent complaints, according to The Guardian. Three complaints? What is it with books that makes people jump on them? Movies and television have people swearing, having sex, and murdering each other, but nobody tries to get them banned or replaced.
My Sister Jodie has sold 150,000 copies in the U.K. since it was published last March, including through Asda, a supermarket chain that “is now in the process of withdrawing it from stores.” I find that so sad–removing a book on the basis of a word. Did they even read the book? Did they see if it spoke emotional truths, told a good story, helped illuminate something?
The word that people objected to was “twat,” which Jacqueline Wilson used intentionally to show cruelty, to show a “nasty character.” When a word is used in context, and it reveals things about the way people treat each other, should that word be deleted because some people find it offensive? I don’t think it should. I think books can help children and teens prepare and arm themselves for real-world experiences that they might not yet have had, in a way that just telling them about it won’t. I think those books are important. And it sounds like My Sister Jodie might be one of them.
I haven’t read My Sister Jodie yet, but I’ll bet that Jacqueline Wilson was drawing out the characters, and that the reader would not sympathize with the boyfriend putting down the girl. When so many children and teens experience misogyny or bullying, shouldn’t they have somewhere to turn to that accurately shows some of their experience, while offering some hope? (Wilson’s books usually seem to offer hope.)
What do you think? Should a word be erased from a book?
Thanks to Shelf Awareness for the info.
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I am not a fan of cussing. I don’t say it, don’t write it, and wish that I could blot them out of every movie and book I own. So, yes, I am relieved to see that these words still enrage people. You go parents!
Thanks for commenting, Madison. It’s good to hear people’s opinions.
This is a tough one. Sometimes offensive language is the only way to express a character’s depth of emotion or reaction. But when it’s overused it’s also unconvincing.
Part of what we try to teach students is finding the best way to express themselves and usually profanity is not high on that list. Many feel that books must set the standard for what we hope for our children (hence the insistence on happy endings and “closure”).
I haven’t read this book either (and wouldn’t even have recognized the word in question as profanity, to be honest - a UK thing?) It does seem that three complaints about one word seems like a pretty short trigger to have the publishers react this quickly, but publishing is also business and if they thought they would lose sales over it, then their decision doesn’t surprise me. I’m sure Ms. Wilson chose that word intentionally though and hope that she is still convinced that she has a story to tell even if the color has been dimmed somewhat.
Thanks, Val, for your thoughtful comments.
I agree with what you; sometimes offensive language really shows a lot about a character. And yes, overused, it doesn’t work.
I think teaching students the best way to express themselves is a good thing. I don’t understand the division, though, between wanting books to uphold those standards, and allowing children to watch TV shows full of profanity and violence? Why can’t a book reflect some of the language that many kids use or hear in the school yard?
You’re absolutely right about publishing being a business, and that publishers come from that perspective. that’s a good reminder.