kshRox
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2012
- Messages
- 322
I think what crosses the line depends on the individual author and individual readers.
EDIT: As I closed this post, I thought of an example that crosses the line for me. The last book by G.R.R. Martin, ADwD (again - for me). Originally I could go with the inclusion of misgyny and even the violence against children as brutally depicted in the first novel as symptomatic of this "world". Part of the background which provides context for the personalities, actions and attitudes of the people who populate this "world".
But these elements now coupled with some of the truly sick and twisted violence (to me) which includes forced group sex (rape? - anyone who read the book undoubtedly knows the passage I'm thinking of), voyeurism, sadistic debasement and graphic torture plus the continued misgyny just became too much. When a particulary ugly gender slur against women went beyond shock value to bored disgust I realized I was probably done with the series.
Now, that said, G.R.R. Martin is incredibly popular with leagues of devoted fans willing to wait years for the next installment. These darker elements of his book(s) are accepted by masses of fans within the context and confines of this story.
Hence, my postulation that this "line" is internal and specific to each of us as individual authors and individual readers, not generic groups of "we".
I took the time to respond because something in the original wording of the question raised a flag. When do "we" etc. etc.
Just struck me reading that as if a generic "we" is being invoked to create a standard to be imposed upon the generic "them".
EDIT: As I closed this post, I thought of an example that crosses the line for me. The last book by G.R.R. Martin, ADwD (again - for me). Originally I could go with the inclusion of misgyny and even the violence against children as brutally depicted in the first novel as symptomatic of this "world". Part of the background which provides context for the personalities, actions and attitudes of the people who populate this "world".
But these elements now coupled with some of the truly sick and twisted violence (to me) which includes forced group sex (rape? - anyone who read the book undoubtedly knows the passage I'm thinking of), voyeurism, sadistic debasement and graphic torture plus the continued misgyny just became too much. When a particulary ugly gender slur against women went beyond shock value to bored disgust I realized I was probably done with the series.
Now, that said, G.R.R. Martin is incredibly popular with leagues of devoted fans willing to wait years for the next installment. These darker elements of his book(s) are accepted by masses of fans within the context and confines of this story.
Hence, my postulation that this "line" is internal and specific to each of us as individual authors and individual readers, not generic groups of "we".
I took the time to respond because something in the original wording of the question raised a flag. When do "we" etc. etc.
Just struck me reading that as if a generic "we" is being invoked to create a standard to be imposed upon the generic "them".
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