Comments on: Soon, though, Julia realises that she’s more free as a slave than she ever was as a sheltered Roman virgin

By: The Inaugural Down Under Feminists Carnival at Hoyden About Town

The Inaugural Down Under Feminists Carnival at Hoyden About Town — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 17:02:42 +0000

[...] Blogger on the Cast Iron Balcony points out the flaws in evolutionary psychology justifications for rape fiction in “Soon, though, Julia realises that she’s more free as a slave than she ever was as a sheltered Roman virgin”. Cupidsbow has also been having fiction troubles, foiled in her attempt to find non-misogynist novels at a bookshop: “WTF, I’d rather read slash forever!”: Am I speaking some strange and exotic language? When I say, “No misogyny,” does it come out as, “Blah blah blah Fido blah blah sex”?” [...]

By: Helen

Helen — Fri, 30 May 2008 11:53:42 +0000

No, I think you’re onto a good little earner there.

By: Ariel

Ariel — Thu, 29 May 2008 11:16:38 +0000

Hee hee. It is an oxymoron but a good one! I like the idea of a choose-your-own adventure romance. You know, you either make choices that lead to the sensible one you should be in love with or the charming Heathcliff type character. Oops, I’ve given it too much thought already …

By: Helen

Helen — Wed, 28 May 2008 20:02:25 +0000

Laura and Ariel, I’m sure you could write completely kick-ass M&B. (If that’s not an oxymoron). Nice little earner. Laura could do the period ones.

By: Ariel

Ariel — Wed, 28 May 2008 12:49:39 +0000

I’m afraid I found that book pretty woolly all round – started it but couldn’t finish it. It’s not that she didn’t have some good points (over-consumption being one) but that it seemed to be argued in such a round-in-circles, meandering-to-the point, kind of fashion.

But ye-ees, these excerpts are dodgy for another reason.

Head-scratcher indeed.

By: Laura

Laura — Wed, 28 May 2008 03:23:10 +0000

How did you know what I’m wearing today?? Now that is truly eerie.

By: Helen

Helen — Tue, 27 May 2008 12:26:10 +0000

Yes. My mum knows someone who writes the things. Which is a hoot, since my mum tends to befriend lovely Anglican churchy ladies who wear navy blue skirts, floral shirts with a round collar, and sensible sandals.

By: JM

JM — Tue, 27 May 2008 11:24:19 +0000

“in every book a scene where the heroine is ‘broken in’, both emotionally and physically, by the hero”.”

Which is not surprising. M&B are written to a formula. When you sign up to be an M&B author they send you a little pack which includes instructions on the formula, covering plot structure, essential scenes and when they should appear, level of erotic content etc. That scene is *mandated* by the publisher.

By: Helen

Helen — Sun, 25 May 2008 12:32:52 +0000

I agree in principle with her other articles about over-consumption, although I think other peoples’ criticisms that she’s a bit high handed about it are justified. But it is a hard choice we, as a society, have to make.

Another comment: All of us have a part that is drawn to strong leadership. It’s a very dirty secret, especially since the events of the 1850’s to 1950’s. For women it is sexualised – hence M&B. For men, it’s just a secret.

That’s a very perceptive comment. The male variant would be the alpha male’s vassal, or something, as opposed to his vessel. Ahem.

By: Laura

Laura — Sun, 25 May 2008 12:15:58 +0000

I have a lot of time for Elizabeth Farrelly’s work in general so I’ll just say that if I ever have the opportunity to meet her I will be happy to explain exactly what the words “rape fantasy” do to my head.