Climbing the Stairs/Living Dead Girl RECAPS

We discussed two very different books with very different reactions!

Climbing the Stairs by Padma Venkatraman took us to India during World War II and India's struggle for independence. Here a young girl from a progressive family has her life upended when a tragedy strikes her father a hollow shell. The family most go live with the father's very traditional family structure where the men basically live upstairs and the women downstairs. Vidya braves the wraith of her Aunt, who is the lead woman of the house, and seeks solace in the library, an upper room that is usually forbidden, and a young man who may be her salvation or her down fall. This is an interesting view of the WWII Era and from yet another view point that is often not heard. The background is set against political issues between the peaceful protests that end in British brutality and those who enter into the military to help the British fight in the World War. There is also the family culture clashes. The Aunt who clings to the older traditions and perhaps is bitter because of them. The Grandfather who adheres to much of the old traditions but respects his granddaughter enough to allow her some modern ways. While we discussed this book briefly, it was a consensus that the book is well written and very interesting both in plot, character development and time period.

Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott is a completely different story about a girls abduction and torture - physically, sexually, and mentally. This book while very short, is so intense that you may feel you've read 1000 pages when you are done. Some of us couldn't even finish the book, others had to put it down several times and then continue later. This book compelling and graphic. The group discussed this as a high school book for sure - not meant for younger middle school aged kids. For teens it could almost be used as a "Trust your insticts 101" book. If it seems weird, it probably is. The story is well written in prose and near poetry at times. Short vinettes reflect the pain the agony and the second guessing of the tortured girl. Parents of any young daughter will cringe and find it horrifying - there are images you just don't want in your head a parent and this book definitely hits on many of them. The overwhelming urge never to let your child out of your site ever again is quite strong. One thing is very clear with this book. No matter what happens after someone is abducted it is never good and perhaps being killed swiftly is the best hope than living through the hell that can happen. It is a book with intense imagery, excellent writing and a very disturbing plot. Teens who like dark, edgy stories will be drawn to this book and, hey, if it makes them a little more self-aware then perhaps that's the best part of the book.