Passionate worlds

One of the pleasures of sitting down to read a number of Young Adult books in quick succession is that of being catapulted into a world of such passionate intensity: a world of strong colours and energy, where boundary testing, self-consciousness and questioning are the norm; in which a character’s search for personal integrity often puts him or her at odds with a community seeking conformity, and all this struggle played out against the richness and stresses of family life. Quite heady stuff. It can also be illuminating, as much for the adult reader as for the young. Maybe warring parents and their children should be persuaded to read and discuss some of these books. The experience could be enjoyable and eye-opening for both parties.