Wonder
05/31/22 • 53 min
1 Listener
Ohhh we're nervous for this one! We know that RJ Palacio's 2012 book Wonder and Stephen Chbosky's 2017 film adaptation have a lot of devoted fans and while we're able to acknowledge the light it has shone on disability, we have some pretty major reservations about the storytelling (in the book) and the casting (in the film). From Palacio's inspiration for the story (and the creation of her Wonder mini-empire) to Auggie's perfection to the fear of acknowledging that this is disability to the inspiration porn of it all.
Plus: why is Via the most interesting character? Why is class, race and queer sidelined? Why were disabled actors auditioned if the role went to an able-bodied actor? Problems, problems, problems
References:
> Carly Findlay. “My concerns about Wonder the film (and how to talk to your kids about Wonder)”
> Ariel Henley. “What “Wonder” Gets Wrong About Disfigurement and Craniofacial Disorders.” Teen Vogue
> Ariel Henley. ‘Wonder Is a 'Feel-Good' Movie That Needed More Realism.’ The Atlantic
> Mike Moody. “Review: Wonder by R.J. Palacio” Disability in Kidlit
Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:
Brenna: @brennacgray
Joe: @bstolemyremote
Have something longer to say or a comment about banned book club? Email us at [email protected] or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines:
June 23: Wetlands by Charlotte Roche
July 23: Cousins by Virginia Hamilton
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ohhh we're nervous for this one! We know that RJ Palacio's 2012 book Wonder and Stephen Chbosky's 2017 film adaptation have a lot of devoted fans and while we're able to acknowledge the light it has shone on disability, we have some pretty major reservations about the storytelling (in the book) and the casting (in the film). From Palacio's inspiration for the story (and the creation of her Wonder mini-empire) to Auggie's perfection to the fear of acknowledging that this is disability to the inspiration porn of it all.
Plus: why is Via the most interesting character? Why is class, race and queer sidelined? Why were disabled actors auditioned if the role went to an able-bodied actor? Problems, problems, problems
References:
> Carly Findlay. “My concerns about Wonder the film (and how to talk to your kids about Wonder)”
> Ariel Henley. “What “Wonder” Gets Wrong About Disfigurement and Craniofacial Disorders.” Teen Vogue
> Ariel Henley. ‘Wonder Is a 'Feel-Good' Movie That Needed More Realism.’ The Atlantic
> Mike Moody. “Review: Wonder by R.J. Palacio” Disability in Kidlit
Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:
Brenna: @brennacgray
Joe: @bstolemyremote
Have something longer to say or a comment about banned book club? Email us at [email protected] or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines:
June 23: Wetlands by Charlotte Roche
July 23: Cousins by Virginia Hamilton
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Previous Episode
Go Ask Alice (Banned Book Club 5)
Write this in your diary: this month's Banned Book Club entry is Go Ask Alice, the 1970s "true story" and runaway bestseller that is completely and utterly ridiculous.
We're not only making fun of Beatrice Sparks' lousy writing, but also how profiteering scheme. Listeners getting in on the fun and exasperation include Victoria, Miriam, Sophie, Gavin and Tea, Books & Chocolate who take note of the fatphobia, the ethical issues and the book's curious relationship to queerness.
Plus: Sparks' other 'Anonymous' diaries, why this book is actually an important time capsule and overall mockery and disdain for the text.
References:
Daniel Mallory Ortberg. "Lines From Go Ask Alice That, In Hindsight, Should Have Tipped Me Off That This Was Not A True Story" The Toast
Frankie Thomas. "A Queer Reading of Go Ask Alice." The Paris Review
Caitlin White. "Go Ask Alice Lives in Controversy." Bustle
Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:
Brenna: @brennacgray
Joe: @bstolemyremote
Have something longer to say or a comment about banned book club? Email us at [email protected] or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines:
June 23: Wetlands by Charlotte Roche
July 23: Cousins by Virginia Hamilton
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Next Episode
Back To 15
For the first time in the show's history, we travel to South America to discuss Netflix's Brazilian series Back To 15. The time travel series features likeable actors and a fun, Being Erica-esque premise about fixing the mistakes of the past, though it maintains too tight a focus on Anita at the expense of its more interesting supporting cast.
We talk about the odd North American critiques of the show, debate about what is "messy interesting" and Joe has some issues with the trans storyline. Overall this is slight, but mostly fun!
Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on Twitter @HKHSPod or use the hashtag #HKHSPod:
-Brenna: @brennacgray
-Joe: @bstolemyremote
Have something longer to say or a comment about banned book club? Email us at [email protected] or tweet us your responses before the following deadlines:
-June 23: Wetlands by Charlotte Roche
-July 23: Cousins by Virginia Hamilton
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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