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 Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 4:21 pm
What does everyone think about reading books that could be considered a rather touchy subject for some? I've gone through a few (can't think off the top of my head( redface )that center on sexuality (rape, homoerotica, gender issues, etc.), religion (Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, etc.), the lack of a religion, and politics (left-wing, right-wing, radical, etc.). I was curious as to whether anyone thinks that such types of book would be better off left on their respective shelves, or whether they spark intelligent conversation and should be read no matter the eyebrows they may raise.
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Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2011 6:35 pm
I believe that they should indeed be read because it can be an eye opener for some, an educator for others, and a good debate for yet some other person. Reading is a fantastic bane for ignorance and with less ignorance, there are less misunderstandings, and less problems.
However if the book is classified as "smut" I would not be one to read it.
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Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2011 12:10 pm
NotesOnMyPiano Reading is a fantastic bane for ignorance and with less ignorance, there are less misunderstandings, and less problems. So very true, and very well said! I share the same view on one specific thing you said: I can't get into "smut", either. I blush at most of the Harlequinn romances--though that's not technically "hard smut", but still. sweatdrop
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Posted: Sat Jul 30, 2011 6:45 pm
Delicate subject matter isn't much of an issue for me. Like, at all. But I'm funny like that.
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Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 5:16 pm
Are we talking about Fiction or Non-fiction specifically? Because I feel, when treated in a tasteful manner, there's nothing wrong with these delicate subjects poppping up in books.
One of my favorite YA books is The Only Alien on the Planet by Kristen Randle and the story focuses on the mystery of a boy in the main character's class who, it turns out, suffered a traumatic childhood. The book treated the subject with all the gravity it deserved while still keeping in mind that the book itself was about teenagers and growing up. It raises questions about parenting and child abuse and prompts serious discussion (or would, if I could find someone to discuss it with).
The Child Thief by Brom also brings up some very uncomfortable subjects though from what I was able to gather from the book, those scenes were really just for shock factor and to bring home the message that this wasn't your parents' Peter Pan. In that case I didn't feel like it was disrespectful but it wasn't the sort of thing that would start it's own discussion. Just another incident in a book.
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Posted: Fri Apr 19, 2013 9:57 pm
I dread books with touchy subjects. The awkward, uncomfortable feeling lasts a long time after I'm done reading, so I avoid them. I don't feel like I gain anything insightful from them, so there's no point for me to read them.
Most times when I read a book like that, it's not by choice. For example, I read Memoirs of a Geisha at someone's suggestion and I hated it.
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Posted: Wed Jul 03, 2013 10:16 am
I agree, wholeheartedly, with The_Scarlet_Lark. Knowledge is power and reading "controversial" material can open your mind immensely. However, I too agree, that is cause to be done with grace and with a purpose. Writing about an questionable topic for mere shock value accomplishes nothing and even create more ignorance IMO.
Nevertheless, I haven't really read anything too shocking and/or enlightening recently. Anyone has any recommendations? biggrin
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