Do you think the book was one-sided or fair?

Use this forum to discuss the March 2018 Book of the Month, "Final Notice" by Van Fleisher.
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Jsovermyer
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Re: Do you think the book was one-sided or fair?

Post by Jsovermyer »

The story has a definite liberal slant. However, I have read many books that lean conservative. So I find it refreshing that this book shows feelings and views that I also share.
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Post by sarahmarlowe »

sepicatt wrote: 01 Mar 2018, 20:38 The book is definitely one-sided but you know it right away. The author is upfront about it. And both sides are going to have their books. But I agree with the person who said that you should read both sides and understand where each is coming from. Personally, I see students every day getting stabbed and beaten and shot in inner city schools. Safety as a whole is an issue and its not just a gun issue. I mean, one incident last year six students held another down while they repeatedly stabbed the boy with pencils (it was gang affiliated but happened inside a school building). But you also have students who get suspended for assaults (physical and sexual), beating others up (students and faculty), threats, etc and at the end of the day they get to go back to school bc you cannot deny them their education. And half of the time its the victim who has to get a "safety transfer". There is something wrong with the picture and gun control is only part of the argument. Schools need to be made safe places to go again...for students and staff.
Brilliant response! Our youth needs healing.
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Post by sarahmarlowe »

While the book definitely leans left, that wasn't an issue for me. What I didn't like was that the author used caricatures of real people instead of creating his own characters. To me, that seemed as if he crossed a line. It wasn't all about the issue of gun control then. It was about making fun of people.
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Post by Theresa Moffitt »

P0tt3ry wrote: 03 Mar 2018, 15:48 The author acknowledges the left-leaning bias of the book. In its own way, that makes the book fair because he's honest about the slant.
I agree. The author did mention that so people were aware before they started reading. I don’t think the book suffered because of it. I think it was a very well written book
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Post by Renu G »

The book was leaning to the left but as far as immigrants were concerned, I liked it.
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Post by R Lawrence »

This story was definitely one sided and it really angered me because the author strongly criticized the NRA but then seemed to justify the shooting the characters started at the NRA convention.
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Post by Choine »

I agree that it is a bit biased against guns. It would have been nice to have a wider variety of crimes other than something related to guns. I found it interesting that the author put that warning note in the front of the book. That was a bit of a red flag.
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Post by Prisallen »

I agree that it is definitely one sided, but, since I have similar views about gun control, it didn't bother me. I could see how it would offend someone who is more right-leaning.
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Post by Brandy C »

I felt the book was very one-sided and definitely left-leaning. The author did say it was his intention to draw attention to controversial issues. However, to me, it felt more biased then informative. Yes, I understand fiction is meant to be just that, fiction. Due to the author’s personal views and the overall feeling of the book, it felt more like fiction mixed with personal feelings. I enjoyed the interaction with Vince and Trudi. In that case, I felt the characters were relevant and relatable.
Some of the topics he touched on just plays into societies fears, the way it was written. For example, the mention of pit bulls being bred for malicious intent. Pit bulls were originally bred to bite and hold large animals like bulls. They were used as helpers. Later society bred them to fight each other. Pit bulls, like other breeds, react to how they are raised. Yes, they can be vicious if they are raised that way, but so can any other breed. His broad statement plays into societies already irrational fears of this breed. Also, gun ownership is very one-sided. We personally own guns that we use for hunting. If the need arises, yes, we will use them for protection. With that being said, that doesn't mean we will become mass shooters. As with anything else, it all depends on one’s own personal reaction and interaction.
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Post by maggi3 »

This book is pretty one sided. I think the the bigger problem, though, is that the way the other side is portrayed. I would have liked for a discussion to have taken place between Vince or one of the pro gun control people and someone from the NRA just to show that the other side are people too and that views can change. I did feel like the author’s descriptions were relatively accurate, though, especially when it came to the issue of arming teachers.
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Post by KCWolf »

I do think the author presented both sides of the gun debate fairly.

He showed concerns for self-defense as well as concerns for the public safety with guns in the wrong hands.
I think he presented multiple facets of the issue.
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Post by eastandalchemy »

This book was definitely left-leaning, but since I'm also a left-leaning Californian, I found many of the issues very relatable. My views on guns have changed drastically over the years, so I'd be curious to know if this book made any gun owners (regardless of political affiliations) reconsider gun ownership.
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Post by Atara Miles »

Fleisher was pretty clear on where he stood almost from the premise of the book. I do like that he gave us research and instances to support his stance but adding a little more of the opposing faction would have added a comparative quality to the book.
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Post by Namaste23 »

It is definitely left leaning. The events where shootings took place showed how ridiculously easy it is to get shot doing everyday things like going to school or attending a convention. People who are anti gun control would probably be offended by this book.
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Post by Stephanie Keener »

The book is definitely left-leaning but the author was upfront about that from the very beginning. The reader knew the author’s stance and view before starting the book. It should not have been a surprise to anyone. I think it’s fair because the author was honest about it from the get-go. I would have liked to have seen at least one character that had a different view regarding gun control and immigration. That is strictly my opinion though.
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