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TheRadiantSeraphim
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 Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 3:26 pm Post subject: A revisit of the book banning. Have you crossed...? |
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visiting addict
Joined: Sep 04, 2007
Posts: 95
Location: In a pile of books.
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This thread is based off the "Are you in favor of banning books?" thread, but takes on a different direction. That direction, or rather, question, is...
Have you crossed any books in a public super market that should have a Mature or Adult label on it, but does not? Or even books that should not even be in a super market store?
I have crossed quite a few of these in Wal Mart. I am not talking about bookstores, which usually (though not always) does a good job of making a separate section for something that involves too much violence or smut in it. Unfortunately, I cannot personally say the same for supermarkets that sell books.
I pick up books that peek my interest (the story sounds interesting, etc.), only to end up finding out that, I am thankful of being legal after reading it. While I am okay with extreme content in moderation (that sounds almost contradictory, doesn't it?), there are some books that fit best in a pornography store period, or just detail violence way too much (and go way too far). Some books I have read from these bookshelves make me think: "If I wanted pornography, I would go rent porn." ...or... "If I wanted pure blood and gore, I would rent an R-Rated action flick." And really, most people who know me think I am fairly laid back on this stuff.
I expect a little violence or smut in fantasy or even paranormal romance novels nowadays, but some books just go too far.
Whatever happened to the Jane Austen books where romance might exist, but exists in a tasteful and eloquent manner, where explicit sex scenes is not on every other page? (I do not think I actually crossed any smut in her books, but that is beyond the point.)
What happened to using obscene language in moderation?
Whatever happened to the good fantasy stories that did not have to -always- detail how much goo was spilt? Or have to explicitly go into a rape scene? This sounds funny since I still love gothic fantasy with vampires, werewolves, and demons and angels in the story, but I have seen much tasteful work done; the work perhaps does not always match Bram Stoker's Dracula or Mary Shelly's Frankenstein, but at least content is not overdone in these books.
What says you?
Sincerely,
TheRadiantSeraphim |
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quantum
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| Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 5:34 pm Post subject: |
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Official member
Joined: May 27, 2007
Posts: 30
Location: U.K.
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I am with you Radiant Seraphim!
I think that the blame may lie with editors, especially for ebooks, and the public readers who provide the market pressure. Sex and violence sells. To get a book published I suspect that a new unpublished author has to include elements of this or have a high probability of rejection. After acceptance there may also be pressure to 'spice it up'.
I am certainly not in favour of banning books, but separating the more 'extreme' books would seem to be the way. For example fictionwise recently introduced a system where 'erotic' books are not displayed on the web site until the relevant icon is clicked. In high street stores it would be good to have the 'adult' books in a separate room or section, rather than displaying everything alphabetically.
There are of course some excellent authors who do not exploit this lust for sex and violence. The romance novels of Eloisa James or Julia Quinn for example or the fantasy novels of Robin Hobb or Raymond Feist. I think its a matter of rooting out the authors that serve your particular taste.
_________________
Dave
When you can tunnel, the whole multiverse becomes your oyster! |
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