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on the first <20 pages of the Dresden Files
Okay. So there are works of fiction/art/film/etc. that make the deliberate artistic choice of linking the concepts of sexuality/eroticism and violence in ways that are very creepy and effective. Or at least, I assume there are - I am sure I have even read/seen some! - I just can't remember them off the top of my head.
And then there are authors who digress in the middle of describing an appallingly grisly murder scene (in a 'love suite') to comment on the lovely outline of the curves of the (naked, mid-coitus) female victim's breasts, the fabulous condition of her body, and the way her discarded underwear, '[a] pair of black-satin panties, a tiny triangle with lace coming off the points, lay there, one strap snapped as though the thong had simply been torn off. Kinky.'
OH JIM BUTCHER NO.
And then there are authors who digress in the middle of describing an appallingly grisly murder scene (in a 'love suite') to comment on the lovely outline of the curves of the (naked, mid-coitus) female victim's breasts, the fabulous condition of her body, and the way her discarded underwear, '[a] pair of black-satin panties, a tiny triangle with lace coming off the points, lay there, one strap snapped as though the thong had simply been torn off. Kinky.'
OH JIM BUTCHER NO.
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I looked up. Carmichael and Murphy were watching me in silence.
I shrugged at them.
"Well?" Murphy demanded. "Are we dealing with magic here, or aren't we?"
"Either that or it was really incredible sex," I told her.
Carmichael snorted.
Of course, then he goes outside and pukes in horror at having just seen two people whose hearts exploded out of their chests in the middle of having sex. Because he is a SYMPATHETIC KIND OF GUY, I GUESS.
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I am not trying to say he succeeds at it, but it does feel that way.
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But here... there's no indication that that's the way we're supposed to take it at all, since a) the half of the entire passage that is not concerned with being skeevy has the character going WHAT A HORRIBLE CRIME SCENE I am so sensitive, and b) I really got the impression from one or two bits in the preceeding pages that Harry Dresden is kind of an Author Stu.
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re b) - He is totally an Author Stu, BUT HE'S A COMPLETELY AWESOME AUTHOR STU.
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Ack. Please don't let that bit throw you off! It's such a strong, engaging, tightly-paced series, and it's so well-written on the whole. I think it's worth looking past the passage described above.
And honestly, I believe the reason he spent so much time on the details of her clothes is that 1) what she was wearing ties in later to plot points brought up when you find out her true identity etc. and 2) he wanted to contrast her beauty and the complete intimacy of the moment with the absolutely appalling violence that had occurred there.
I will say this: Jim Butcher is not subtle or delicate about his male pov interpretation of female sexuality in these books.
But he's also a complete straight male dork, and that comes across as it would in any other dorky straight male.
The books continue to just generally be COMPLETELY FANTASTIC, though. I continue to be completely satisfied by his universe and the ongoing development he gives his huge cast of characters, and his plotting, and his writing in general.
Please don't mind me barging in, but I really wanted to throw in my two cents because I'm enjoying these books so much right now.
:)
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But the passage above is a place I don't care to go, or to put any effort in going, or to spend any money -- even the gas money to get to the library -- supporting. And that's my prerogative, just as reading and enjoying them is yours.
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Oh, no - I wasn't trying to imply that I felt the need to defend my own morality. And I didn't mean to sound defensive, if that's how I came across. I just was trying to offer up a different view of that scene as someone who's read the entire book and has a different take on the context, purely because I like these books a lot. All respect for your opinion, of course.
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But, you know, maybe that's just me!
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ok, i'm going to stop intruding on sophie's post now. but i really love the books and a lot of my (female) friends are reading them right now and we all love them, too! so, you know - ymmv!
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(I read the first book and a half. It was the repetition of the narration that got to me before the WTF Harry. My boyfriend loves them to bits -- I guarantee he reads it for the SHINY WIZARDS AND INTRIGUE!!1! and if I mentioned this scene, he would deny even noticing it.
Oh, men.)
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Shallow, what?
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oh man, if you only read the first half of book 2 - the pacing lag of book 2 during the middle nearly de-convinced me, like i *almost* threw it aside because the plotting and pacing are his weakest in that book overall out of the series. but i'm so so so glad i kept reading, because the entire last third of that book is pretty much the best, like, seriously the most fantastic continuous non-stop action adventure writing i've ever read. like my jaw was literally on the floor with how COMPLETELY AWESOME THIS BOOK SUDDENLY BECAME. i still keep having to go back and reread it because it's so good. and MARCONE. OMG. MARCONE IN THE LAST THIRD OF THE BOOK.
seriously, give it a go.
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And here I'd just picked up the first of the comics to give it a try that way, because I was intrigued by what I'd heard via
*will still make an effort, but will be cautious*
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One of the two first victims we encounter is a young, attractive, naked woman, frozen in rigor mortis in a mid-intercourse position that shows off her body/breasts.
Seriously, Jim Butcher? Seriously?
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You know, I seem to be applying my head to my desk at a very frequent rate these days.