A Rape by Any Other Name
The topic of the alpha male has come up several times in the forums. How nowadays there aren't too many books with the strong, macho male characters who might take a woman with force. Generally, the readers in the forum seem to agree that this is a good change.
When I started reading romances one of my favorite authors was Sandra Brown. My first one was FRENCH SILK. I loved the mix of suspense and romance, and the wonderful setting of the French Quarter in New Orleans. From that point on, I collected her books.
However, when I started reading the re-releases of some of her earlier work I discovered a nasty little side of Ms. Brown's books that I didn't like. Like many authors in the 80s, she had written books with the macho male protagonist. I put up with a lot of them, mostly to be supportive of an author I enjoyed and because the story was otherwise fun.
Until the day I read BITTERSWEET RAIN. This book was re-released in 2000 and I borrowed it when I was working at Barnes and Noble. Had I not borrowed it, I would have thrown it to the ground – and I don't abuse books. I was so pissed off when I read the scene where the so-called love interest rapes the main character – and she FORGIVES him and they get back together.
I screamed and ranted for days. I was disillusioned. I was saddened. And my quasi-feminist leanings were ready to abandon all romance books. But in my mind I knew that the book was merely an example of the 80s mindset and it was not indicative of the genre as a whole.
But to this day, I have a hard time reading anything written before the early 90s and Sandra Brown has been replaced with other authors in the top 5 (which is really now the top 8, but who's counting). I like my men manly, smart and strong, both physically and mentally, but rape does not factor into it. And I am surprised it ever did.
Nicole
When I started reading romances one of my favorite authors was Sandra Brown. My first one was FRENCH SILK. I loved the mix of suspense and romance, and the wonderful setting of the French Quarter in New Orleans. From that point on, I collected her books.
However, when I started reading the re-releases of some of her earlier work I discovered a nasty little side of Ms. Brown's books that I didn't like. Like many authors in the 80s, she had written books with the macho male protagonist. I put up with a lot of them, mostly to be supportive of an author I enjoyed and because the story was otherwise fun.
Until the day I read BITTERSWEET RAIN. This book was re-released in 2000 and I borrowed it when I was working at Barnes and Noble. Had I not borrowed it, I would have thrown it to the ground – and I don't abuse books. I was so pissed off when I read the scene where the so-called love interest rapes the main character – and she FORGIVES him and they get back together.
I screamed and ranted for days. I was disillusioned. I was saddened. And my quasi-feminist leanings were ready to abandon all romance books. But in my mind I knew that the book was merely an example of the 80s mindset and it was not indicative of the genre as a whole.
But to this day, I have a hard time reading anything written before the early 90s and Sandra Brown has been replaced with other authors in the top 5 (which is really now the top 8, but who's counting). I like my men manly, smart and strong, both physically and mentally, but rape does not factor into it. And I am surprised it ever did.
Nicole
posted at 10:40 AM
3 Comments:
I reread Bittersweet Rain yesterday after reading your comments. I did not find a rape sceen in the book. I did not find a "love scene" that even came close to force.
I made sure that I had an older copy of the book (2000 reprint)and there didn't seem to be any gaps in the story to allow for deletions.
Maybe you were refering to another Sandra Brown book?
I also checked the reader reviews on Amazon and no one refers to a rape.
What's up?
Bejaye
Bejaye,
You are absolutely correct. I had the wrong book. It's been nearly 10 years since I read the book, and since I didn't keep it, I couldn't refer back to anything to find it.
However, I went looking on her site and I think I might have found the one I am referring to (forgive my fault memory if I am still wrong). I think it was IN A CLASS BY ITSELF.
And I have a feeling I may have been sensitive to the description being used. Maybe I interpreted her resistance as being more strong than it was. I don't know. All I know is that it turned me off.
Just curious to know why that post inspired you to read it. Happy to know you are reading the blog. And thanks for letting me know I was wrong.
nicole--
I have had the same experience with another author, and like you, I cannot for the life of me remember what book it was. Selective memory, I guess.
I was so taken aback and disgusted that I threw the book across the room. I felt like burning it, but I just threw it away. It was trash to me.
Anyway..I never read another book by that author and I gave away all the other books of hers that I had. I felt like my trust was betrayed.
A tab melodramatic, I know, but I felt sick for days. I couldn't get the images out of my mind of the rape and I was appalled that something that horrendous was marketed and sold as 'romance'.
I just can't imagine how someone can write a scene like that--with the positive intention of creating a relationship of love. YUK!! That kind of story is the real smut!
~emily
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