Lesson title: Don't be a genre snob!

As a child I was mocked for reading classics out of choice. I was teased, and called a swot. Everyone else was reading Goosebumps, Horrible Histories and then Harry Potter broke on to the scene. 

I steered clear of all those and was happy with my Chalet School, Mallory Towers, Jane Austen, Dickens and Oscar Wilde....Yes I was the book nerd who read the texts used in English literature classes for fun. 

This proved very useful over the years, and I was soon asked to teach classes when my knowledge was proven to be greater than the teacher involved, and I held revision classes as well for my class mates.... I'm aware this isn't making my street cred go any higher. 

I have always loved period/historical dramas, spending many happy an hour lost in that world, ranging from Dickens, Austen, Thomas Hardy, Oscar Wilde, the Bronte sisters. 

Now everyone who is into period dramas such as myself will have entered the enduring argument of which is better, the books or the film/series adaptations, and which adaptation did the best justice to each individual book.

I don't feel there is a right or wrong answer here because it is very personal. I for example personally cannot stand the Keira Knightley version of Pride and Prejudice (I'm now sat shielding my head with a copy of Austen against the onslaught of protests). I'm not sorry, every scene is vomit inducing, and the casting was horrendous. However this is just my opinion. I absolutely love the Colin Firth series and have watched it countless times. This difference of opinion is invitable and healthy. 

However I am guilty of a worse crime. I was for many years a period drama snob. When Downton Abbey was first released I refused to watch it. Haunted by the childhood jibes I could not accept that a period drama could be a cult hit in mainstream society. I was convinced it must be modernised and not created in the spirit of the classic period drama. I am ashamed to admit I held this opinion until season five! 

A friend finally coaxed me to try the first episode, reassuring me it was amazing. I'm so glad she convinced me. I love it! It is amazing, well produced, the actors are awesome and the story lines are heart wrenching. So many times I've sobbed over Sybil and Matthew. 

Now here comes along Bridgerton! Again with the massive hype. This time I was determined to watch it straight away... I did.... I watched the entire season in two days.... And I have recently pulled an all nighter to watch the second season. It is so unique but equally brilliant. 

My lesson to the children from this will be as follows. It is fine to love a genre and be passionate about it, but remain open minded and explore all that it has to offer. No matter if it is not typically classical, if there's a modern book behind it or not.

Most importantly do not internalise what others think about your reading choices!

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