Each month, I wait for my book club’s pick with some trepidation.
Book clubs are frequently fond of books that make me wince a good many times during the course of the novel. These books are usually pretty popular with readers, though, and do sell well.
I just have a hard time stomaching the content.
I didn’t used to be such a delicate, sensitive, squeamish reader. I’d read just about everything and, while I might skim during some sections, I wouldn’t just stop reading a book because of the subject matter.
I think I started noticing the shift around the time my first child was born. (Yes, we’ll blame parenthood. :) ) It also bothered me when I watched movies. My husband rented Saving Private Ryan and I wouldn’t watch D-Day. “Elizabeth!” I remember him saying, “It’s not gratuitous in any way. You should watch it—it’s supposed to be very much like the actual event.”
Precisely why I didn’t want to watch it! And those guys were too young to have to go through it all—they were practically children. I ended up watching D-Day with my hands mostly over my eyes.
So excessive violence, gore, and child-in-danger stories… I just can’t handle them.
And my book club has taken on a few child-in-danger stories, probably because it’s a group of (mostly) moms.
This month’s pick, to be discussed next week, is Room by Emma Donoghue. As soon as I heard the subject matter, I was worried. The waiting list at the library for the novel was huge, so I bought the book online, downloaded it to my Kindle and hoped it would be something I was able to finish.
The reader who chose the book said that I shouldn’t have a problem with it—although the story revolves around the fact that a woman and her five year old son are held captive in a one-room prison that the child was born in. So far, I’ve found the book really interesting. Disturbing, yes, but not explicitly horrific.
As a reader, my tastes seem to change over time. Right now, I can only handle so much violence against children or animals. And frequently, lately, I’ve been looking for lighter reads—nothing too dark or disturbing.
As a writer, I know I couldn’t write anything really dark right now—I can’t read it, so how could I write it?
I just finished writing the rough draft of a book that included a fairly dramatic death. I’m writing cozies (traditional mysteries where the murders happen offstage), so I’m definitely thinking about my reader—many of whom share my dislike of explicit violence and gore. I wrote very carefully, giving the death a certain impact, but not exploiting the violence by using graphic detail.
But it still bothered me! And I’d made it up!
Are you able to write subject matter that would be difficult for you to read? In other words, does the writing put a filter in place for you or does it make you even more engrossed and disturbed by the material? (I’d like to think I can write with some detachment, but I’m starting to wonder if that’s the case.) And–do your tastes change, in either reading or writing?
I would say yes, I’m able to write more graphic or disturbing things than I can read. I think there’s a reverse filter that happens when I write. I’m interested to hear what you think of Room. It’s been on my TBR list for a while, but I too was nervous about the subject matter.
I’ve read Room. Given the subject matter, it’s a really great book. I was totally wary of it to begin with but no, it’s worth reading and is cleverly written.
Since having children myself, I’m sensitive and squeamish. I can’t stand brutality, gore or graphic scenes. I’ve been reading quite a bit of contemporary crime fiction in the last year, and I’ve come across very few brutal and gory scenes, nothing too graphic, thank goodness.
If I’m writing something dramatic and a little ugly myself, I always write the scene so it’s understated. Disturbing yes, but no graphic detail. I’m writing my first novel and it’s not a crime novel, but there is a criminal element to it.
Elizabeth – I know exactly and precisely what you mean! Like you, I get my fill – and quickly – of gore and violence. I don’t write really explicit stuff, either.
Funny thing is, my WIP involves a death I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to write about, but I was OK with it because I didn’t go into really explicit detail. It was hard for me, though.
I write dark fantasy, and sometimes I have to step away from what I’m writing or just write in short spurts. It’s not easy, so I guess I don’t have a writing filter.
I know one of the most disturbing passages I ever read came from an Alice Walker novel (Possessing the Secret of Joy). I had to skim the passage, but it had a profound effect on me and my world view. Of course that was her intention.
For me, it depends on how the scene is written. If it is gratuitous violence, no. If it’s like the D-day scene in Ryan, yes.
That’s an interesting question! I personally have no problems reading or writing dark, gory, or even graphic violence. I do however, have a problem watching anything that has to do with violent crimes against babies. I’m not a mom, but I just can’t stand to see a schizo drowning her baby because she thinks it’s evil. Things like that make me turn off the TV,put a book down, and I for sure wouldn’t write about it!
I think as a writer we should push our boundaries but at the same time if we aren’t completely comfortable with something it will show in our work (and not in a good way!)
I’m more in line with you Elizabeth, I have a hard time writing/reading horrific stories.
I’ve had a few characters pass away from illness and fatal car crashes, but that’s as gruesome as it gets.
Good questions. I don’t write too far out of my comfort zone, although I do try to remain true to the characters and story. However, my goal is to write an “airplane book” or “beach read” so I don’t get too dark. I’ve had more complaints about sex on the page than violence. But I write romantic suspense, so maybe those folks are reading the ‘wrong’ genre.
I don’t like depressing stories, movies, anything. I read to escape.
Terry
Terry’s Place
Romance with a Twist–of Mystery
I’m so glad to read that others have the same issues I have with reading or viewing graphic depictions of violence. Though I generally choose not to read books or see movies of that sort, I did read “The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo” and see “Fargo,” both of which made me very uncomfortable. Both were such riveting stories that I was glad I stuck with them. I also like to be current and have an understanding of what people are talking about, and both those works have been extensively discussed all over the place. I think it’s good for all of us to depart from our usual reading/viewing/what-have-you activities now and then, too; I feel as if it renews our creative forces. I’ve seen “Room” praised EVERYWHERE, so I’m glad to see that you, too, recommend it, Elizabeth–I’m going to have to put it on my list.
I actually don’t have a problem reading, writing, and watching graphic, disturbing things. I am a fantasy and horror author. I do notice that when I have a death in the family or something else traumatic going on, I tend to lean towards writing lighter fantasy, but still ready darker stuff.
I found your blog on Fb. You are actually the second blogger I know who’s mentioned Room. I am going to have to check this out.
-Nora
http://norabpeevy.blogspot.com/
I started Room, thinking it would probably be too explicit, or heart-wrenching, or stomach-curdling for me, but what I noticed right off the bat was how engaging the voice was. It’s all about pov and how it’s presented to us, right?
I think this is often easier to stomach in books than movies, because the pov is more intimate. We only see what the pov character notices, not any extraneous information caught on film that might be too graphic, or colored by our own experience.
Interesting post!
I loved Room. Was totally engrossed. That said, I have a very hard time reading or watching anything involving violence and children. I think I was able to ignor it when my own kids were little because I was young and still lived in the ‘it couldn’t happen to me or mine’ fantasy. Now I’m older, have grandchildren, lost the fantasy, and such things scare me to death. But beyond violence involving kids (and, okay, animals) I’m fine. I actually get pretty gory in my own writing. But, hey, I know my stuff is fiction.
I couldn’t watch Saving Private Ryan either. I also have trouble reading books where children are hurt. My tastes in reading have changed as I now prefer lighter books. Books that make me laugh are my favorite.
I don’t think my reading tastes influence my writing, because it’s not my style to be very violent (so far, anyway).
Anna–I’m going to recommend “Room.” Donoghue handled the subject matter very skillfully, I thought.
A Certain Book–I just finished it yesterday and did really enjoy it. It took me a while to click that “buy” button on the Kindle! I really considered going to the book club meeting next week and saying that I just couldn’t read it. I’m glad I did read it, because it wasn’t what I expected.
Understated is a good way of putting it. And the violence in “Room”–because, let’s face it, violence was happening–was very understated. Because the narrator didn’t understand what was happening (I’m being vague here for the folks who haven’t read the book), it made the violence less explicit.
Teresa–I wonder if the filter is a good thing, or a bad thing? I think I have more of a filter when I edit, but not when I write.
Now you’ve made me curious about Alice Walker’s book, but I have a feeling I couldn’t handle it!
Margot–Maybe giving something more of a passing mention instead of going into detail makes it easier to write about.
Nora–Maybe, in a way, it’s cathartic? I can certainly imagine that being the case.
Yes, you should check “Room” out. I couldn’t put it down. First half is slightly better than the second half, but a nice read–and on the Booker shortlist.
Linda–I think that’s what I need to do–remind myself it isn’t real! My imagination has been working overtime lately. I finished “Room” last night and it was very good, I thought! Not as graphic as I’d feared and nicely narrated.
Jane–Sounds like we’re in the same place with what we want to read right now!
Margaret–Oh yes. I’m with you on that–and I’ve seen entirely too many of those stories on the news!
If I’m not comfortable with a topic–either because I haven’t researched it or haven’t fully thought it out, or am uncomfortable with the subject matter–then my writing definitely reflects my discomfort. My voice almost changes, actually.
Hi Elizabeth – I think I concur with what you’re saying .. despite not having children! I don’t like writing or doing negative, depressing cruel side of life .. but my reading has become very educational – however I’ve enjoyed the novels I’ve read recently .. Stephen Tremp’s Breakthrough and Tony Eldridge’s The Samson Effect ..
Our needs and interests change .. So I shall wince and stay away – though Room sounds interesting ..
Thanks and have a good weekend .. Hilary
I actually WRITE dark stuff when I have my non-Cozy hat on–the book I am editing has some awful events in it–but I don’t give a ton of details. I want the reader to KNOW the awful things that happen (or nearly happen) but I try to stick to the emotion of my character rather than giving a play by play. And as a matter of fact, that is how I prefer to read it… but I don’t STOP reading unless somehow I feel like something is being glorified that is pretty horrible–if it is presented AS horrible, I can probably handle it.
Movies, I am less open to… I don’t want to SEE it. I can handle realistic, like war, but I’ve seen some torture things I wish I could unsee, and I really prefer not to. I LOVE scary or dark movies, but I’d prefer the worst of it be off-screen.
I agree with you when it comes to realistic violence, like the first part of Save Private Benjamin. I don’t like to se all that brutal killing and blood and gore. A good zombie movie, on the other hand, can be entertaining, since it’s so exaggergated. In my mind, it’s a paradox that killing and violence in movies and TV series is acceptable, whereas sex is not. After all, the latter is by far the most enjoyable in real life >:)
Cold As Heaven
Tamika–Maybe some day I can give it a go. It’ll be a while.
Hilary–Room I can actually recommend and you don’t even have to feel brave to read it. :)
Hart–Oh, torture is a total deal-breaker for me, too! In a movie, I’d get up and flee for the ladies’ room and in a book, I’d skip ahead a good ten pages or so. I’m a chicken. :)
Terry–It’s hard to escape when the subject matter is dark, isn’t it?
Helen–Yes, it’s a good book for your list. I think it could even win the Booker, from what I understand. I read “Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” and did skim the most violent sections. Fargo was odd, wasn’t it? So funny in parts and so disturbing in others? Same with Pulp Fiction.
Tere–Well put! You’re right about the POV in movies being a lot more personal and intimate. The child narrator was a brilliant approach for minimizing such a horrific topic, I thought. The POV made all the difference there.
Cold As Heaven–I love zombie movies–they’re just so campy that they don’t worry me a bit. And a good observation on social mores and standards. I’ve always thought there was an odd double-standard for what’s considered acceptable.
I’m 100% with you on this. I have avoided Room for the same reason, although it has such glowing reviews, so I’ll be interested in reading how you feel when you’ve finished.
I feel there’s too much horror in my head already. I don’t need any more. I’m angered by reviewers and agents who seem to think violence=truth and “honesty.”
I agree with Cold that when the violence is cartoony or campy, I don’t mind it. But films (and books) are getting more and more realistic, and amused detachment is very much out of style. Alas.