GEEK PARENTING
How not to raise a Kylo Ren
released 5 April 208 pages | Hardback/ ebook
Authors Stephen H Segal, Valya Dudycz Lupescu
Publisher Quirk Books
SF& F is often at its best when it uses allegory to examine our lives: Buffy’s analogies between teenage demons and the horrors of high school; District 9’ s examination of apartheid. But what’s great about those examples is that they take an issue, make it entertaining and trust the audience to figure out the message themselves. If you’d prefer someone to sit down and pull out the lessons – especially the ones tangentially related to parenting – then this book, a collection of mini- essays examining just what parents can learn from various properties, is for you.
The topics covered range from obvious, feel- good “lessons” – read to your children, give them space when they need it, understand that siblings will argue ( The Princess Bride, Angel and Thor, respectively) – to more bizarre analogies ( Bilbo and Frodo Baggins teach us to think about what we’ll leave our children when we die). But there’s little that will actually make you feel you’ve learned something about either parenting or your top TV show.
As a dip- in- and- quote collection it could make a nice present for any geeky parentsto- be you’re out shopping for, but don’t expect any real wisdom or insights.
Co- writer Stephen H Segal previously edited 2011’ s Geek Wisdom, “The Sacred Teachings Of Nerd Culture”.
