Why do people have to put sex and language in books? Really, does it make it any better?
Everyone liked Twilight (including myself, regardless of how good or bad it was) and that only had mention of sex. Stephenie didn’t go and explicitly detail every scene between the lovers—she just implied about what happened next and left it there. And another example was when she wrote something like “he muttered a bad word under his breath” or whatever it was she said (books aren’t in front of me right now).
Harry Potter is popular for a reason guys—they’re good. And there’s no sex (barely even any kissing) and no language either (except in the last book where Hermione says a word considered dirty in England).
Mortal Instruments: kissing, but no explicit sex (I think there was some mention of it somewhere, but it escapes me). Granted that I would have liked it better without the homosexuality portion, and it does have some demons and stuff in it, but that’s my personal opinion.
Maximum Ride: same thing. No language, either (or very little. Max’s favorite word is freaking).
Does the fact that these books have no sex or language take away from the quality any? No! If anything it adds to it. Even with Breaking Dawn, I was satisfied with what Stephenie wrote (though I know others weren’t) because she said what she needed to say, told a great story, got the point across, and did it without offending anyone or making it rated R.
Now: Perfect Chemistry. Personally I would have liked the book better if the lovers had fallen in love and held to abstinence. That would have been so romantic, I would have loved it, and regardless of the crappy writing, would have given it at least four stars if not five—but no, they had sex and didn’t even see the problem of it. I was let down by that book greatly. At least the sex wasn’t detailed. There were sections where I wanted to go through with a black marker for the language, though. I had a hard time getting into the book because of all of it.
Bitter Darkness—I started it for a tour a few weeks ago and had to put it down because of the language. Every other word was dirty, and I knew it would only get worse. I didn’t read it (the only book for tour that i’ve said “oops. nope. sorry.” so far).
Did the language and sex take away from these books? Greatly. And I could come up with more if I had time, but I don’t. Would they have been great if they had not had sex or language? Potentially.
Let me ask you this—do you care about content in books? Does it bother you, does it rub you the wrong way, or do you skip it and forget about it? Does it take away from the book, or add, or do nothing? Is it necessary in some cases, does it take away from certain scenes if there is no language?
What’s your viewpoint?
And if you do care: what will it take to make authors see that we care? If enough book reviewers mention sex and language in books and lower the rating because of it, do you think that authors will catch on and change their future novels (obviously not the ones that are published)?
Maybe, maybe not.
But, it wouldn’t hurt to try.
Do you rate a book based on content, or is it important to you? Will you start doing it now? Comment…
~H
Haley,
ReplyDeleteAnother great post. I agree with your thoughts regarding language and sex in what we read. The best books are never the ones chalk full of lust and foul words.
With that I am curious. I was told the Twilight series may not be outright sex in talk, but that the author brings the reader to the very edge, thus provoking feelings that may not be appropriate for say young readers.. is this true? I have not picked up any of the books to read them and I'd be curious what your input is.
Interesting post and a valid conversation starter if I do say so. I do care about the content of the book! Now, I'm not of the persuasian that a little foul language or a less than clean scene will make me drop a book entirely, but it will definitely hamper my image of the book. Too much of either one? Yup...gonna drop it. I can honestly say that I've never read a novel classified as Romance (genre)...and it's partially to avoid some of these situations. I'm not a prude or anything, but to be the mention or more demure passages on the subject are even better (hello, check Twilight, or Hush Hush...etc...). Done with my ranty reply...but great post!
ReplyDeleteI do like it better when there is no sex and mild language and I can handle the language in small doses if its the not the more harsh fowl words.
ReplyDeleteI can handle mild sex scenes if it goes with the story but what I hate (in movies as well) is where its just there and there really is no reason for it to be there besides the fact that the author thought it wouldnt go over well if they didn't put it in there.
I do rate some books on content, especially if I am reviewing YA, I dont think teen books need to have a lot of junk in them to get the point across. I liked the examples you gave.
I AGREE with you!! You don't need all of that in a book! Do you rate a book based on content? Yes! I do! I give books that are clean a higher rating. :D
ReplyDeleteSex and language in books does not bother me. Sometimes I think it is necessary because it is a part of who that character is. Details don't bother me too much but I don't like details taken to the extreme. Then it's a little hard for me to read it, but otherwise it doesn't bother me. Granted, if aimed at the YA audience then it needs to show what can happen due to sex, and not make it out as something else or that it won't happen to you. It should show the danger.
ReplyDeleteIf a book does have sex in it or vulgar language, it doesn't affect my review. I tell my followers that it does have some in it and let them choose for themselves, but I don't think that it should affect if they read the book, because it could be an awesome book; it just might have those in it.
I think that it can add to the book but also take away. It all depends on the book and its audience. Sex and the language might fit the book, or it could be an elephant in the room type thing for the book.
I think I got everything in there.
~Lindsay
JABA
i think sex and language depends on the main characters. if someone's from a a wealthy home and wears preppy clothes i wouldn't expect them to have a potty mouth, but if it was someone with a troubled home, ex alcoholic parents (cmon, they always swear) then i think the sex and language could be a little more edgy
ReplyDeleteSex and swear words don't really bother me at all in books, they are the reality in life, so why not be represented in books? I've not really come across too many YA books where I thought the sex and swearing was not relevant to the story or the characters. Having said that, I love a bit of sexual tension, I love the will they kiss/won't they drama, and always feel a little bit let down when they finally do smooch :-)
ReplyDeleteI enjoy romance novels because they always have a happy ending. : )
ReplyDeleteThat said, I prefer the ones without graphic love scenes. Those seem to detract from the plot, in my opinion.