Abridged Books Make Me Irate

When I was in elementary, we had a collection of kids' abridged classics. The thing is, I didn't know they were abridged. And, after reading through all the Nancy Drews and other things I was interested in, I needed something "bigger" to read. So around age 11 or so, I got interested in the classics.

I remember looking at the stack and being excited to read Treasure Island, Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde, Around the World in 80 Days, etc. So, I started reading and was like... ok these aren't so hard. I don't see what the big deal is. And then...

And then. I discovered that these books WERE NOT THE REAL BOOKS. I was furious. I had been tricked! The nerve! Who pays money for fake, incomplete books??

(I was in full-on "speak to the manager" mode... a miniature vesrion of "Janet", if you will)

Deciding never again to be fooled by the publishers of these imposters, I went in search of the real thing, and I started collecting unabridged classics.

I don't know if it was my actual first classic (depends on your definition of "classic," I suppose), but the first one I remember reading was A Tale of Two Cities, and I LOVED IT.

So that is the short story of how I got bent out of shape because of some abridged classics.

(P.S. I have a set of abridged classics for kids in case my kids are interested in them one day) =)

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