Monday, February 4, 2013

"Adult" as a term of approval



Ever felt awkward browsing in the YA section? Maybe C.S. Lewis can help ...



“Critics who treat 'adult' as a term of approval, instead of as a merely descriptive term, cannot be adult themselves. To be concerned about being grown up, to admire the grown up because it is grown up, to blush at the suspicion of being childish; these things are the marks of childhood and adolescence. And in childhood and adolescence they are, in moderation, healthy symptoms. Young things ought to want to grow. But to carry on into middle life or even into early manhood this concern about being adult is a mark of really arrested development. When I was ten, I read fairy tales in secret and would have been ashamed if I had been found doing so. Now that I am fifty I read them openly. When I became a man I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up.” 
 C.S. Lewis



12 comments:

Jenn said...

Adulthood is overrated. I look at my friends' kids and say, "You have it SO good now! Let your mind run wild!"

Christina said...

Love this!

What's more mature than doing what you want and not being ashamed of it?

Amber said...

I love kid-lit and YA books. I guess I used to be a tad embarrassed perusing those sections of bookstores and the library. When I turned 40, my attitude changed about quite a few things. Turning 50 a few years ago only reinforced my new attitude. I'll read what pleases me, and quite proudly!

Kjersten said...

Great quote! Thanks Laini.

Sarah Sequins said...

I love this quote, Laini!

I've found that the older I get, the more I want to do the fun things that are supposedly just for children -- and the less ashamed I am of that fact!

I have a rainbow tent on my bed. I play Marble Works. I collect Barbies and watch cartoons. And I like young adult fiction way more than adult fiction. Some people think that makes me crazy, and that's OK -- because crazy is better than ordinary. :)

tanita✿davis said...

Oh, thank you...

Unknown said...

I just love this so much.

Charley Robson said...

This is going on the Wall of Quotes, and I will also commit it to memory so that I can spread this marvellous wisdom with the world.

There's a reason this man, and his friend Tolkien, stole my childhood.And this is proof, I think, of why.

Melissa said...

Thank you, Laini! That made my day.

SF said...

I always need more C. S. Lewis in my life. Thank you for sharing this!

Books Glorious Books said...

Really lovely post, thank you.

SarahWT said...

Awesome quote! :)

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