Edna and Her Menacing Books

Edna wasn’t allowed to read—not because of her faltering vision, or the headache she got when concentrating on a large block of text for too long—it was illegal; well, at least certain books were. Government materials, however, were expected to be consumed, memorized, and implemented in practice. Citizens of the Reformed Republic, a group of states that joined together in nationhood after the fall of the union, were expected to follow strict guidelines and measures in pursuit of living a “moral life.” As such, all “challenging books,” which covered the majority of literature, and all of Edna’s personal collection, were permanently “outlawed.” Edna had always thought that was a funny way of putting it, the antiquated word inauspecially placed in the middle of a stamped and posted government issued decree. Before humor turned to pain, she would amuse herself imagining old western wanted posters with menacing looking books sketched onto cheap sand-colored paper—some had beards, others wore rough, tattered cowboy hats. Yes, it was all so ridiculous, Edna had thought—until it became real.