What happened was that I bought a book from the bookstore just because it looked interesting. It was in the fantasy genre, which I totally love. And there was a picture of a sword on the cover. How could I resist? I skimmed through the pages, and didn't see anything objectionable. When I checked the back and saw it cost less than $10, I decided to buy it.
Last night, even though I should have been grading homework, I started reading this book. It was everything I could ask for in a fantasy novel. Colorful characters, intriguing plotline, a dash of romance-- this book had it all. 1 AM found me still reading.
Skip forward to today, after lunch. I pulled the book back out, got a few more chapters in, then had to stop. The male lead character was seducing the female lead character. She had told him she never intended to marry, and he replied that he would take her any way he could get her. Then they have sex.
Yikes! This is not the kind of book I want to read OR want my younger sisters to pick up and read. Thus I immediately trashed it.
Then I started to have a mental debate. Not about this particular book, because it had no redeeming qualities, but about other books. I have been OK with reading other books where characters have had sexual relationships. I was trying to decide what exactly it is about a book that makes the difference.
Here's what I've come up with so far:
- What is the author saying about the relationship? Does he approve of fornication, or is he speaking against it. (Example: in Anna Karenina, Anna commits adultery, but the author is contrasting Anna's sad, selfish life with the life of another young woman who is true to her husband.)
- How graphic are the actual words? There is a big difference between suggesting a sexual relationship and describing a sexual relationship. (By the way, one of my problems with Twilight was that it went overboard in describing sexual feelings and desires, even though the characters never actually have sex.)
What do you think? What standards do you use for judging books? Have you ever had to stop a book in the middle because it didn't meet your standards?
I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes. Psalm 101:3
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I don't ever have time to read books anymore... or maybe I just don't like going to the library...
ReplyDeleteRegan, I am a loser. I didn't even know you had started a new blog so hooray now I can follow some more. On the books, you know Jason and I are big on "art" in the form of movies and literature. We each have our own lines we draw and I'm impressed that you've been able to narrow it down to something because I can't ever seem to put my finger on what books/movies have in common that I can't in good concscience continue to read or watch. Unfortunately, my walk out/trash it meter has a way higher tolerance than it once did. Maybe I should re-assess! :)
ReplyDeleteAmanda, I'm glad you found me again!
ReplyDeleteIt's really hard sometimes with so much entertainment being so trashy. I can't say I always get it right. I always know I've messed up when I'm watching something with my sisters and brothers and they start giving me the look, like, how COULD you think this was OK to watch. :)