I read a lot. And what I hate most is when a writer throws in a little incest or sexual abuse in a

[applegrove]

book when it isn't a main theme of the story. I would not read the book if that was the main arc. But as it is, I find myself skipping over that part of the book, so I don't have to give up the time and emotion I have already invested in the main characters and story. Why do authors do this?

[Little Star]

1. I could live forever without that too! Who cares is what I think to myself...

I skip right over that crap too, unless it's just a very brief acknowledgment in order to get a clearer understanding of a character. If the writer keeps bringing it up or goes on about it too much, I'm done with reading their books. That's just me though.

[fadedrose]

2. What's an example?

From books I've read, I think that usually when they tell about incestual behavior it's to point out that certain characters are bottomfeeders. Abuse tells you that there's a crime involved here....and these behaviors could do what the rape scene in Girl with the Dragon Tattoo did, set up the whole reason that the story happened...absolutely necessary, and the book had a lot of other stuff in it besides the rape itself.

Closest I came to getting disgusted was reading a "love scene" with "nudity" between a couple of normal hormonal 13-14 year olds where no crime was committed. I figured the author was just plain desperate. It was enough that the adults were weird - all of them looking at or coveting somebody else's mate, if not fornicating or committing adultery, or all of the above, seemingly the whole reason for the book, to titillate......

I sort of remember feeling like you do, when I was more idealistic. People I've admired let me down, and it seems that sex was just invented, all kinds, and everybody wants to try it out...the hell with real love...

Let us know what book got you ticked off. You could start a good conversation or book discussion inadvertently..

[applegrove]

3. "Believing the Lie" by Elizabeth George. There is a kid in there who is on line and trying

to meet with an older man. This is a troubled kid. I don't need the implied sexual relationship to know he is ****ed up. He's only 14. He should not be trying desperately to meet with an adult. Even if it turns out it is not about sex, the implication is that such a crime will be taking place. So I skip the parts that are about the internet relationship.

[fadedrose]

4. What a coincidence...

The book that got me disgusted was also by Elizabeth George. Her writing is so entrenched with sex that's not wholesome, arousing, or even "sexy," etc., it's just disgusting... I like sexy sex...

The kids in the book that turned me off are from George too. When I posted about it way back when, I put it in the category of a soap opera....

I give up on her. Her plots all have to do with a decadent style of living. She uses royalty go give her books some class, but living in CA, I think she uses celebrities that make the headlines as models and wraps a weak plot around them putting a "Lady" or "Lord" in front of the character's names....then they put it on public tv using British accents.

I apologize if I offended any of her fans.

[applegrove]

5. I've had to drop Elizabeth George novels before.

[iris27]

8. I get annoyed when authors use rape or incest as an cheap and way to say Evil Character Here!

It happens quite a lot in fantasy fiction. Goodkind in particular is prone to this. George RR Martin also does it a lot to make his world more "gritty" or whatever. Because, you know, there are dragons, evil snow zombies, people who can possess animals, and seasons that last for years...but if the series didn't have sexual violence, it wouldn't feel REALISTIC.

[Chemisse]

6. I don't like it either. It is so cliche.

It seems like every other novel has to have a main character with a history of being sexually abused. I guess it's supposed to be trendy but I just find it annoying.

[fadedrose]

7. Dog looks more intelligent than most people I know...

Gorgeous animal.....

[Chemisse]

9. Oh thanks! Actually intelligence is not her strong suit.

Rather, her loveable and affectionate personality is what makes her (and other English Mastiffs) such great pets.