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Post by Neurochick on Jul 15, 2012 6:50:00 GMT -4
I understand what you mean, but I know that this book, like the movie 9 1/2 Weeks would never work if the man wasn't both rich and handsome. This book just would not work with a middle aged, balding janitor.
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marmalade
Lady in Waiting
Posts: 198
Nov 4, 2008 22:26:26 GMT -4
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Post by marmalade on Jul 15, 2012 11:27:49 GMT -4
I don't think it's all that complicated. The easiest way to make a male character come across as powerful is to make him grossly rich and handsome. You could write a book about a middle-aged, balding janitor involved in a BDSM affair, but then you'd actually have to characterize him without using "rich and handsome" as a shorthand for "powerful."
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Post by Neurochick on Jul 15, 2012 15:03:54 GMT -4
Sure you could write a book about a janitor as romantic hero but who would read it? I think people read to escape reality as well. What they might want in fantasy might not be what they want in real life. I liked the book Jane Eyre but I wouldn't want to date a man like Mr. Rodchester.
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Post by chiqui on Jul 17, 2012 0:01:59 GMT -4
Series romances are full of handsome, successful man with some love-curing flaw that pursue some lowly, yet pretty female (e.g. buisinessman pursuing typist, doctor a nurse, etc.) They're probably more egalitarian and modern now, but I think the formula is still there to an extent.
Has anyone read Anne Rice's Sleeping Beauty books? I think they're far superior to the 50Grey series as erotica, especially because the author knows how ridiculous they are yet runs with it.
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Post by chonies on Jul 22, 2012 17:16:07 GMT -4
I didn't see this posted yet. GoodReads review of 50 Shades of Grey trilogy. I haven't read the books yet, but this review actually made me want to--there is simply not enough WTF in the world to make these books possible. Also, I was thinking about the movie. The books themselves seem too thin for a full film, but it would be tremendously interesting to see a movie about the whole creation of the fanfiction and the public's response. |
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Post by Neurochick on Jul 23, 2012 8:50:00 GMT -4
Though I do see the point in this review, I really have a problem with people who say that if you like this book, you're destroying feminism. This book is FANTASY, it doesn't happen in real life. I really don't get why so many take it seriously, and any woman who thinks anything in this book exists in reality probably has issues before she picked up the book.
The theme of this book, that "my love will change him" is the theme of many romance novels; I remember some even complained about "Jane Eyre" and "Wuthering Heights." The heroine is always in love with the "dark and brooding" troubled man with issues, while the sweet, normal guy is seen as not very interesting.
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hamhock
Sloane Ranger
Posts: 2,333
Sept 5, 2005 16:30:07 GMT -4
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Post by hamhock on Jul 23, 2012 9:01:59 GMT -4
Going to have to misquote someone on tumblr for this: This book offends me as a writer and a pervert.  |
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Post by chiqui on Jul 24, 2012 0:28:39 GMT -4
So true. I find this more offensive, and vastly more unrealistic, than any number of BDSM shenanigans.
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Post by Neurochick on Jul 24, 2012 8:48:12 GMT -4
So true. I find this more offensive, and vastly more unrealistic, than any number of BDSM shenanigans. Here's my thing. I don't have a problem with the books because I'm 52 and I know that falling in love with a guy with issues is a challenge. Some people are up to it, some aren't, but it doesn't always end happily. In the Boardwalk Empire fandom, a lot of fangirls are gaga about Richard Harrow (mainly because he's played by Jack Huston who's a fox), who is a former army sniper who was heavily scarred in the war and wears a mask on one side of his face. So far he has killed a man from about 700 yards (impressive), scalped a man and put a gun into a man's mouth and pulled the trigger and offered to kill a rival gangster's mother, sister and brother to draw them out. My point is that many fangirls (including my mom!) kind of see him as this romantic hero, the Phantom of the Opera kind of guy (because of the mask). My point is that these types of men as romantic heroes are as old as the sky and it probably will never change, so that's why I don't worry or are concerned about the "50 Shades" books. If a woman really does think that type of man is for her, then she's got more problems than a book can change. I think this article says it best. |
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stina
Landed Gentry
"I just want to party!"
Posts: 825
Mar 5, 2006 19:41:47 GMT -4
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Post by stina on Jul 28, 2012 7:45:05 GMT -4
I agree. A close friend of mine was in a relationship with a Christian Grey (sans the kinky part), he was controlling, thought she dressed too sexily (she didn't), didn't like any of her friends, and wanted to know where she was at all times. When I read the books, all I could picture was him. My friend's boyfriend never laid a finger on her, but still nearly destroyed her life, and getting away from him was the hardest thing she ever did. And yes, I know that what you fantasize about doesn't necessarily reflect on what you want in your real life, but still. In real life the Christian Greys I've met are more scary than sexy, and women seemingly idolizing him as some sort of perfect man creeps me out. Also, for a book with a gazillion sex scenes, there were very few scenes that I actually thought were even slightly hot. It was just badly written and unrealistic (Nevermind Anastacia always having an orgasm, even on command once or twice - that is on par for romance novels, but her being a student without e-mail? So stupid.) and in many places involuntarily funny. I hope men don't read this shit and think that's what women want. Reading the book and them reading the Fifty shades of suck Tumblr was great entertainment, though. Almost made it worthwhile. |
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