Portrayal of women in Fantasy Novels...

[Hermes]

Hello Bella:

Well, see what your opinion is of the Mother in the book.  It is a very penetrating study in any case.

We had a thread here a short while back, in which each poster could mention books, movies, etc. that s/he liked.  There were lots of books mentioned on there.

I only wish I had more time to read, and read!  

All the best
Hermes  

[Leah]

       Lollie         nana-nana-boo-hoo-to-you 

Not read a Harry Potter either, nor watched any of the Potter movies.

And the only superbowl I have seen is the one with the dishes in!   

Leah x

[Bella_French]

Dear Hermes, I read every night, before I go to sleep. Sometimes the books are so good that I'll read after work as well (which has been the case lately).

I'm reading a lot of well researched  historical fiction at the moment, and I tend to like biographies. I read one about the guy whp first climbed the most difficult route to the top of mount everest, and it was fascinating hearing all about such a person's life (and missing digits, lol)

I do like fantasy, thrillers, and also cyberpunk literature (which is sort of fantasy). Pretty much the only thing i won't read is romantic fiction, which makes me ill, lol.

What happened to the `book recommendations' thread? I would have enjoyed that one!

X bella

[Leah]

Dear Bella,

Moives - Books - Music


http://www.voicelessness.com/disc3//index.php?topic=6856.msg110265#msg110265

Leah x

[Bella_French]

Thanks so much Leah!

[Hermes]

Hello Bella:

I would not read romantic fiction if I was given money to do it!  No wonder women get unrealistic ideas of life and love from those books LOL.  

I have to confess that in general I prefer male authors.  That will probably not make me too popular LOL.

Hugs
Hermes

[Leah]

Hello Hermes,

My favorite authors are in the main, male.

I never read romantic fiction.

We are very alike, in that I too, appreciate platonic male company, especially, in the reading group.

And have an egalitarian worldview.

Leah x

[Leah]

Speaking of books, on a whim, I picked up "The Little Prince." I hadn't read it since I was twelve, I remembered it fondly, but had forgotten the story. Whoa! What a powerful, rich little book that is. DD asked me about it, ad I ended up reading the whole thing to her in one sitting. I dare you to read that book aloud without getting all choked up!

Hi Lollie,

You've got me now!  I shall simply have to grab a copy from the library next week, and report back!   

Hugs,

Leah x

[Bella_French]

I hope you don't mind this topic going on a tangent, but I feel emotionally `safer' around men too. They tend to be very `light' and `on topic' in conversations, and I am a little afraid of intimacy with women in real life. I have never been able to quite get it out of my head that at the end of the day, the wrong female  friend will take everything I've got if she can get to my partner. So I am wary about who I give that power to. Men do not `threaten' that part of my life.

I tend to read more male authors, but who knows, maybe Stephen King is  a woman, lol. I wouldn't know for certain:)

[Bella_French]

Dear Lollie,

Giggle:) Yes, he might not win the beauty contests (but if I could write like that, I wouldn't care about my looks, lol)

X bella

[Bella_French]

Lol Izzy. I  don't know ANYONE who reads for reasons other than for their own entertainment, and I don't know anyone who only reads to impress others. Is that uncommon in your experience?

 I generally find reading as a hobby less common than, say, watching TV. I enjoy meeting other people who read:)

X bella

 

[Ami]

Very interesting thread, Bella. Thanks. Still have you in my prayers and thoughts about your F. Still 'know" he is OK.    Love   Ami

[SilverLining]

Well, I have to dissent here.  I have read Tolkien"s novels, a very long time ago, long before any films were made.  I rather enjoyed those books.  And I don"t think my mind was corrupted in any way by them.  Fantasy is fantasy.
Doesn"t anyone read just for entertainment any more LOL.

I also read the Tolkien books a long time ago and don't think they corrupted me.  But if I was corrupted, would I know it? 

It seems to me it's like most everything, a matter of degree, balance, and moderation.  There is a hard to define point at which recreation shades into abuse.  I've known adult men who devote 99% of their off hours to fantasy books, movies, games.  Of course I didn't know them very well since they were so preoccupied, so who am I to judge?

[Hermes]

Hello Bella, and all:

Well, I am not really a fantasy fan, but there is one woman writer (now in her eighties and still writing), an American, I like:  Ursula Le Guin.  "The Left Hand of Darkness", is an unusual, indeed poignant book.  

Best to all
Hermes

[Leah]

Pure Maiden Warriors.
Losers are scared of sexuality or dependency in women, so women in fantasy novels are so powerful and pure they make Joan of Arc look like Paris Hilton. They are strong, noble, loyal, brave, high-bred and usually die in the end – well what else are we going to with them? They’re too scary to marry, and no one in Epic Fantasy Novels ever has sex.

Body Types.
Skinny people are wily and intelligent, big strong bear-like people are invariably dumb.


Hi Bella,

I find it interesting that the 'big' or 'bulky' perhaps, characters are considered to be dumb.

There was a recent public survey reported in the tabloids, of which, stated that anyone above a certain size, was considered 'dumb.'

I do sometimes wonder as to why folk think this way?

Leah x   (not skinny!!)