Several Clemson students protest freshman reading assignment [View All]

[deadparrot]

CLEMSON, S.C. Several Clemson University students have joined a Higher Education Commissioner to say they don't like a book the school required for freshman summer reading.

Seven students, commissioner Ken Wingate and about 40 parents, grandparents and alumni yesterday talked about the book, "Truth and Beauty," by Ann Patchett.

The best-seller tells the story of Patchett and a friend, Lucy Grealy, who struggled with cancer and later dealt with drug addiction. Wingate says the book glamorizes what he calls "deviant and debasing" behavior. He doesn't like the book's sexual content.

Freshman Michael Melchers of Columbia says he decided --not-- to read the book after hearing about it. But Melchers says he did write an essay explaining his views and plans to attend a lecture by the author.

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