When
we were assigned to read a children's book, I found myself reacting much the
way a child would. I was super happy about it and couldn't wait to start
reading. I would tell my friends in a casual way that made it seem like
no big deal that I was required to read a choose-your-own-adventure book for a
college class, concealing my true excitement. Everyone asked "why in
the world do you have to read a silly kid's book?" to which I would
respond "I dunno, but it's awesome!" I didn't think about it a
whole lot before reading it, but now it makes a whole lot of sense to read it
in this class. From the first day of class Janelle outright told us that
we would be manipulated throughout the course, and furthermore that we are
being constantly manipulated by professors and other influences, but she was
the only one doing so transparently. House
of Danger draws attention to this manipulation like no other text we read. “Choose Your Own Adventure” sounds so
empowering, when in reality the reader has almost no control at all. Even the title is a command; choose your own
adventure – come on, do it! I dare you!
And we all did it. Most of the
sense of control I had dissolved by the first ending I reached about 3 minutes
into reading in which I died alone in the house. Okay, maybe I hadn’t made the best decision -
I probably should have sensed that trap.
I was at least hoping that there would be some way for me to survive
given my initial choice. As the text
continued, other endings seemed not to be based on my actual choices at all,
completely removing any remaining feeling of control. By the end of the book I felt used and deceived,
which I’m betting is the way Janelle wanted us to feel. The book did a great job driving home the
point of manipulation, which is exactly what it was supposed to do. Sure, it isn’t a beautiful work of
literature, but I think it is better that way.
It makes the purpose more transparent.
Also,
it was fun and easy to read. I think
this book is a keeper.
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