I've been spending an exorbitant amount of time in a local bookstore recently. I've been using it as a way station between appointments and as a place to meet up with people. During one of my layovers there I started reading the first book in Ann Rice's Sleeping Beauty trilogy. I had thought I wanted to add it to my wish list for my birthday but after reading the first chapter I don't think I can stomach it. Maybe it gets better and justifies the first few pages but I don't think it's worth the investment of time or money.
In summary, the prince comes to wake up SB but instead of a kiss he rapes her into consciousness. He orders her around for a few pages refusing to let her put on any clothes. Then he calls in the king, her father, and with her sitting there naked and exposed, the prince tells him he's taking her as a prize for waking up the kingdom. The worst part is not the violence or subjugation, it's the romantic way it's portrayed. Ann Rice describes his orders as if he's in love with her and this is how woman wants to be treated. It's the worst kind of evil that Beauty has fallen into - someone who makes you feel just good enough to make you their lap dog. Perhaps the story plays out with her rising above the domination but after even those 5-10 pages I can't move forward enough to find out. You can read most of the first chapter on Amazon at the link above if you need to see what I mean.
I read a romance novel like this once and it absolutely horrified me. I don't have a problem with women having rape fantasies or every so often wanting to be submissive, but those are choices. It's when the choice is not theirs that I have a problem. And I'm going to protest by not reading the books.
That first chapter totally skeeved me out. I felt unclean after having read it. Ann Rice is a great writer. Too good in fact because I believed every unsavory moment. Ick. Shiver.
In summary, the prince comes to wake up SB but instead of a kiss he rapes her into consciousness. He orders her around for a few pages refusing to let her put on any clothes. Then he calls in the king, her father, and with her sitting there naked and exposed, the prince tells him he's taking her as a prize for waking up the kingdom. The worst part is not the violence or subjugation, it's the romantic way it's portrayed. Ann Rice describes his orders as if he's in love with her and this is how woman wants to be treated. It's the worst kind of evil that Beauty has fallen into - someone who makes you feel just good enough to make you their lap dog. Perhaps the story plays out with her rising above the domination but after even those 5-10 pages I can't move forward enough to find out. You can read most of the first chapter on Amazon at the link above if you need to see what I mean.
I read a romance novel like this once and it absolutely horrified me. I don't have a problem with women having rape fantasies or every so often wanting to be submissive, but those are choices. It's when the choice is not theirs that I have a problem. And I'm going to protest by not reading the books.
That first chapter totally skeeved me out. I felt unclean after having read it. Ann Rice is a great writer. Too good in fact because I believed every unsavory moment. Ick. Shiver.
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