My son wrote a paper on why he hated the book The Scarlet Letter. I was mortified he turned that in, but the teacher gave him an A because he wrote specific details from the book and pointed out why it was an absolutely stupid premise.
This is awesome! I love books like this where you don't grasp the point, rant about it, then find the point whilst ranting! Happens to me wayyyy too often 😂 anyway! Loved this piece mate, and I'm glad my own post could inspire you!
I used to make up book reports. We got to choose our own books, and apparently the teacher didn't check.
One of my fake book reports was about the person (my imaginary creation) who invented the VU meters that were used on old stereo equipment back in the day. The teacher wasn't tech savvy at all, and I just called them voltage usage meters, and I said they were invented by a polish hang glider. Gave him a whole backstory. Got a A!
This piece eally stayed with me. Some books don’t leave us because they touch something formative, long before we have language for it. I appreciate how you revisit the story not just as literature, but as a lens for understanding conscience, guilt, and becoming. It’s a reminder that the lessons that shape us most often arrive earlier than we realize.
Thanks so much for reading. The lesson really stuck with me and any time I hear the book mentioned it comes back to me. I also try to tell myself if people do something bad to me that maybe their mind is making them pay for it. Until it comes around!
Your piece make me remember the old days at school when I always tried a fraud against the teacher (usually in Math)! The other funny thing is that also my "Crime and punishment" smells like a library basement! Great piece, have a nice day!
Honors English. Yes. I also took this. And my teacher, Doc. Page. We read so many books that didn’t make any sense to me back then. 😂I remember thinking I had no business even being in that class. But, somehow, someway I got an “H” in that class.
Wow, your experience with that book sounds intense! It’s amazing how a challenging read can leave such a lasting impact. I can relate to the struggle of understanding complex words and the frustration that comes with it. It’s great that you eventually found a meaningful takeaway from the experience. Thanks for sharing your story!
Unfortunately, many of those who walk among us TRULY DO get away with their crimes. They deceive THEMSELVES into believing their victims deserved it — or that their actions were justified, necessary, or even morally good. Many of them can even find a publicly-celebrated "expert" to validate their narrative of choice.
The reason the well of morality is so incredibly murky, is because looking into it is completely optional. I'm not advising anyone to stay away... just informing you that ours is far from a fantasy world, where what goes around will come around with any regularity. That myth is just one of the many narratives, spun by criminals to cover their tracks.
That said, Crime and Punishment was a pretty good fantasy novel.
This article reminded me of my own teenage years and allowed me to feel the subtle process of understanding life amidst resistance and reluctance.
Although it is a seemingly ordinary story about a high school book report, the emotions and reflections are very real: we are responsible for our actions, and even if no one catches us, the consequences remain within our minds.🤓
By Grade 12, I was skipping more classes than I attended, and I accidentally showed up on book report day. The class started and the teacher said, "Well, since Mr. Boyko has chosen to grace us with his presence, he can start the oral reports - what book did you choose?" "Shit...err...I mean...shoot...'Lord of the Rings'?" "All three books?" "Um...sure??"
Afterwards he told me the 'B' he gave me stood for 'Bullshit', but he said he couldn't deny I did a great summary of the books.
My son wrote a paper on why he hated the book The Scarlet Letter. I was mortified he turned that in, but the teacher gave him an A because he wrote specific details from the book and pointed out why it was an absolutely stupid premise.
I love that!! And if you can back up why you hated it you should get a good grade!
I agree!
“You don’t really get away with things.”
Yep. That part sticks.
Teenage hate-reading, dust smell, stubborn pages... and then the lesson sneaks up and lands anyway. Books play the long game.
“Books play the long game” — yes. That’s exactly it.
This is awesome! I love books like this where you don't grasp the point, rant about it, then find the point whilst ranting! Happens to me wayyyy too often 😂 anyway! Loved this piece mate, and I'm glad my own post could inspire you!
This is exactly it — rant first, understanding later 😂
And yeah… your post totally sent me down that memory spiral
I think that’s how the best books want us to be! 😂
Crime and Punishment is a long, complicated read, even if you are motivated. Kudos for finishing it.
My high school goal was to read all the books on the honors list you mentioned, and they were likely the same ones.
It was actually painful. Not sure if that's how the lesson gets so ingrained but I never forgot it.
I used to make up book reports. We got to choose our own books, and apparently the teacher didn't check.
One of my fake book reports was about the person (my imaginary creation) who invented the VU meters that were used on old stereo equipment back in the day. The teacher wasn't tech savvy at all, and I just called them voltage usage meters, and I said they were invented by a polish hang glider. Gave him a whole backstory. Got a A!
I absolutely love this. Oh... back in the good ol days when you could get away with things lol
Lol!
This piece eally stayed with me. Some books don’t leave us because they touch something formative, long before we have language for it. I appreciate how you revisit the story not just as literature, but as a lens for understanding conscience, guilt, and becoming. It’s a reminder that the lessons that shape us most often arrive earlier than we realize.
Thanks so much for reading. The lesson really stuck with me and any time I hear the book mentioned it comes back to me. I also try to tell myself if people do something bad to me that maybe their mind is making them pay for it. Until it comes around!
you know it! Karma is real!
Wild how a book you hated can still end up teaching you something that sticks for decades
It was a seriously painful read at 14. I had to look up words in the dictionary…yup that long ago lol .
Your piece make me remember the old days at school when I always tried a fraud against the teacher (usually in Math)! The other funny thing is that also my "Crime and punishment" smells like a library basement! Great piece, have a nice day!
That's awesome thanks so much for reading and commenting!!
Honors English. Yes. I also took this. And my teacher, Doc. Page. We read so many books that didn’t make any sense to me back then. 😂I remember thinking I had no business even being in that class. But, somehow, someway I got an “H” in that class.
However, your takeaway is beautiful. Well said.
Thanks so much! It was painful to read but honestly I still remember the lesson now. That says something about the author.
Deep stuff. A+ 😄
Wow, your experience with that book sounds intense! It’s amazing how a challenging read can leave such a lasting impact. I can relate to the struggle of understanding complex words and the frustration that comes with it. It’s great that you eventually found a meaningful takeaway from the experience. Thanks for sharing your story!
Yet another sign that I need to read Crime and Punishment - *why* is this book haunting me like this?!
I loved this piece 🤍
Unfortunately, many of those who walk among us TRULY DO get away with their crimes. They deceive THEMSELVES into believing their victims deserved it — or that their actions were justified, necessary, or even morally good. Many of them can even find a publicly-celebrated "expert" to validate their narrative of choice.
The reason the well of morality is so incredibly murky, is because looking into it is completely optional. I'm not advising anyone to stay away... just informing you that ours is far from a fantasy world, where what goes around will come around with any regularity. That myth is just one of the many narratives, spun by criminals to cover their tracks.
That said, Crime and Punishment was a pretty good fantasy novel.
This article reminded me of my own teenage years and allowed me to feel the subtle process of understanding life amidst resistance and reluctance.
Although it is a seemingly ordinary story about a high school book report, the emotions and reflections are very real: we are responsible for our actions, and even if no one catches us, the consequences remain within our minds.🤓
By Grade 12, I was skipping more classes than I attended, and I accidentally showed up on book report day. The class started and the teacher said, "Well, since Mr. Boyko has chosen to grace us with his presence, he can start the oral reports - what book did you choose?" "Shit...err...I mean...shoot...'Lord of the Rings'?" "All three books?" "Um...sure??"
Afterwards he told me the 'B' he gave me stood for 'Bullshit', but he said he couldn't deny I did a great summary of the books.
😂 This is amazing. Book report day panic is a universal experience.
Also, a B for “Bullshit” but still earning it is kind of impressive, honestly.
Wait did you read that smelly book or no
Do you want a summary? Unfortunately I didn't keep the book report.