Posted by Peter H on July 16, 2007 at 18:23:43 from 81.132.218.180 user Peter_H.
In Reply to: Re: Where are all the eels going? posted by Mike Dennis on July 16, 2007 at 15:57:19:
one social group have to suffer changes to a much-loved text because another group aren't able to see why it says what it does?
I don't think publishers look at it like that. They will be sensitive to overall reaction, not just from children. Prue mentioned recently that Susan was a reassuring presence to the parents and adults who bought books for children, and on the same principle an unpleasant word might deter those parents from buying the book. The reactions of reviewers, librarians, teachers and lit critics also have to be considered.
I am a bit cynical about phrases like 'much-loved text'. I bet if I got a special edition of Swallowdale printed with one word changed (any old word) and gave it to Mike to read, he wouldn't spot the change. I think we get a little too worked up about the 'sacredness' of AR's text. If you look at his early drafts, he altered and crossed out loads of stuff!