Another English teacher checking in. And not just an English teacher, but one who's teaching to kids whose first language is not English. I do talk about symbolism in my classes, but not so much as a way to unlock the "real" meaning of a book. It's more to make them aware of one of the tools they have available as a reader/writer. Love it or hate it, symbolism is part of the creative process, and they should know how to use it. What I don't do, however, is make assumptions about what the author wrote. I get the students to tell me what they think the author meant in this part or that. Are they right? Sure, if it helps them appreciate and understand the work.

Glad to hear that Memories volume 2 is in the works! My copy of volume one is so lonely. It has The Day After to keep it company on the bookshelf, but you know how it is....

For me, that's half the fun of reading a book - taking the time to think about it and putting all that down on... um... paper. So thank you for providing me with something to think about.

Read it, enjoyed it and reviewed it - http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/142673110 I will resist feeling a certain smugness, having the Dead Tree Edition, although I know there will be a day when I finally start buying more books electronically than physically. It'll be hard, but until I move into that TARDIS, space is at a premium.