THE DA VINCI CODE IS NOT A COPY…so says the British courts. As successful as that book was, one almost always expects to see lawsuits claiming almost anything just to get a piece of the pie. I read the Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown (who hasn’t?). His story wasn’t all that original but it was a good suspense story that I rated a B read.
RITA AWARDS ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK and everybody has an opinion on them. Of course I’ve shared the opinion of other readers who don’t really put much emphasis on RITA award winners because it is an award given to authors by authors. That doesn’t necessarily equate to quality or a good, memorable read for that matter nor does it mean that the book sucks either. I’ve always been curious since as Barbara Samuel’s stated so passionately that readers should pay more attention to the RITA’s like some fans do for the OSCARS. Side note: She certainly wasn’t referring to me as I could give a rat’s ass about the OSCAR WINNERS either. End note. Do writer’s get a bump in salary or is this just to help them get a 100% sell through? I heard sell through’s are very important for a writer and that may explain why I don’t see many of my favorite writers around much anymore. I can’t see how it could hurt to win a RITA award. If I saw “RITA award winner” on the cover of a book titled “MOMMA’S LAST BABY”, you guessed right, I wouldn’t be buying it. You can have a look at the finalists here.
EXAMINING STEROTYPES IN ROMANCE…now here was an interesting article. The article discusses Ms. Kelly Turpin’s thesis on the negative impact of stereotypes in romance novels. Why romance novels? Ms. Turpin read them in her youth and decided to examine it’s impact on socialization. She used Harlequin Presents as her focus of study since the publishing house generates more than half of the romance novels on the shelf you read (not me) and represents 55% of paperback sales. Ms. Turpin found prevailing themes such as female subjectivity, male dominance and racial prejudice abound in romance novels. [Hmm. I didn’t know that.] Young girls and young women are thereby receiving the wrong message and this has an impact on societal expectations. Let me see. Everything I learned about life came from kindergarten but everything I learned about relationships came from a Harlequin Presents? Any rebuttals? Here’s mine: I agree partially with her assessment that many young readers are impressionable and that romance novels don’t represent the true or realistic view of relationships. However, it is fantasy and if young people can’t differentiate between reality and fiction then they have a much bigger problem than reading romance novels, methinks. It’s the same old argument really. Pffffttt. Anyway, this is just for you to know.…
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Exactly, Monica, even though there are some who feel that Ms. Rowling is teaching witchcraft and dark magic — methinks those folks have way too much time on their hands
Just found this post.…been too busy to cruize the net for a while, but I loved what you had to say about the young lady with the thesis. It is an interesting perspective she puts forth, and there may be some foundation for it, depending on what YEAR she’s doing her research from.
I also enjoyed the fact that her photo is one that could easily fit on the front of a HQ cover. And I love how you pointed out that we’re talking fantasy here, and that any kid who can’t tell the diff has a problem. I certainly don’t expect my 10-year-old to run out and try to buy a broomstick or magic wand because she loves Harry Potter. But then as a parent, I make sure she’s clued in to the facts. :biggrin:
Monica
Rachel — ouch. Wish I could say more but I looked at it as a fictional novel only. Most fiction have a anti-something message, anti-guns, anti-abortion, some are even political. I just lumped it into that arena. If it helps, I didn’t really take any of it as fact. Only as a suspense story and his authorial voice is very off-putting. I haven’t read anything else by him.
Karen S — be interested in your thoughts on a book that is very controversial.
Cindy S — I had no plans to watch the movie. One time read was enough time spent on this topic.
And Sybil :tongue: hope your feeling better, dear.
Off to shop for more books, the VHTF kind of books. Peace.
I’ve owned a copy of TDC for over 18 months, I still HAven’t even read one page of it.
Uh, yeah, I haven’t read nor do I ever plan to read the Da Vinci Code — saw the movie and thanked my lucky stars that I didn’t waste time reading the book.
I’m considering no longer having any opinion on the Rita’s — just like the Oscars. Wait. I do bitch when I watch a movie and it blows chunks and I’m all ‘this won a friggin’ Oscar? WTF?’.
As to the thesis — I wish someone would come up with something more original when it comes to discussing romance books. Meh.
CindyS
I hated this book, thought it was totally anti-Catholic, but I try not to talk about it too much so as not to encourage more people to read it. :blink:
Oh sure says she who bitches I never read her blog.
I would toss my hair again but it hurts my head.
I have no choice but to go cuz trouble elsewhere. :angel:
Me. I own a hardcover, paperback and ebook copy of it and I still haven’t read it. Maybe some day.
Hmm…take advantage of that blessed silence.
:devil:
:cwy:
I would comment but I am busy not speaking to you. You know… just so you know…
::tosses hair::
I think the student’s thesis is akin to the idea that video games beget violent teenagers. Are boys getting their ideas on how to treat women and police by playing grand theft auto? Maybe the thesis itself is sexist.