I wouldn't steal a book from one of those libraries either- avoiding the attention of ancient eldritch gods is a hobby of mine. If I could frame my boss however.... #sciencefictionart
@Tanj1t: How would you define indigenous lizards that have been genetically engineered by colonists to suit their transport/defence needs? And Pern's more sex-via-dragon-proxy, rather than humans getting it on with winged beasts.
Though I can't speak to the Cross novels, which I'd never heard of until now. Tongues? Yikes.
Somehow, I completely missed the gay subplots in the Pern books until waaaay down the line in the series, when she made it evident. I just thought the psychic link was mainly a gold/bronze/brown thing.
They were interesting books to read as a 5th grade girl, though. The main character Lessa isn't precisely willing the first time she gets all dragon-sexy, and I was very aware of that; in a weird way, I'd say that reading about that situation probably established something in my mind about hormones being separate from rational thought, or at least that it's dangerous to let hormones completely overwhelm you without your rational side giving the go-ahead.
Last time I read the Pern novels I was in the 5th grade so all the other sexual subplots (especially the gay one) totally went over my head. I'm kind of frightened to go back and read them now.
If you'd bothered to read "Dragonsdawn," chronologically the first book of the series, you'd have known that the Pernese didn't crash-land on Pern; they were colonists who decided from the start to revert to an agrarian mode of life on an untouched planet.
I'm really curious about the Janine Cross novels. I love controversial sf/fantasy, so I'm definitely intrigued but I've avoided them because I read that the main character is able to feel pleasure after her clit has been ripped out.
I have a problem with that, which should be pretty self-evident. Not only is it inaccurate but it's a pretty dangerous assertion, even to make in a fantasy novel.
So, Annalee, I totally trust your taste. Should I read these novels anyway?
@Shojo Bat: They are intense and violent, so probably not to everybody's taste. As to accuracy, from what I recall the main character is able to feel pleasure from drugs (AKA venom), but never really from sex per se.
I liked the books a lot, but they're not for the faint of heart. In large part they deal with stuff like childhood abuse and religious/patriarchal abuse of women. They're not really "sexy" and even though the characters triumph in the end it's at horrific personal cost. So - be warned.
@Annalee Newitz: Thank you! I will definitely pick it up. Violence, gore, "shocking" or "pornographic" material -- bring it on. I was just wary of FGM being over-eroticized. The reason I've strayed from my childhood love to fantasy into an adult obsession with horror is because fantasy is often too tame, idealistic, and consolatory, so I'm excited to hear of a fantasy author taking on darker and more unsettling subjects like abuse.
I also appreciated your reading of the class/economic relationship in the novels -- often missing from critiques of fantasy.
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I can't find any links for purchasing any of these; perhaps I'll go digging some more... #sciencefictionart
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10/11/09
Whelan gallery
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Though I can't speak to the Cross novels, which I'd never heard of until now. Tongues? Yikes.
10/10/09
They were interesting books to read as a 5th grade girl, though. The main character Lessa isn't precisely willing the first time she gets all dragon-sexy, and I was very aware of that; in a weird way, I'd say that reading about that situation probably established something in my mind about hormones being separate from rational thought, or at least that it's dangerous to let hormones completely overwhelm you without your rational side giving the go-ahead.
10/10/09
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I have a problem with that, which should be pretty self-evident. Not only is it inaccurate but it's a pretty dangerous assertion, even to make in a fantasy novel.
So, Annalee, I totally trust your taste. Should I read these novels anyway?
10/10/09
I liked the books a lot, but they're not for the faint of heart. In large part they deal with stuff like childhood abuse and religious/patriarchal abuse of women. They're not really "sexy" and even though the characters triumph in the end it's at horrific personal cost. So - be warned.
10/10/09
I also appreciated your reading of the class/economic relationship in the novels -- often missing from critiques of fantasy.
10/10/09
10/10/09
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10/11/09
I don't know why he didn't just remove the parrot.... maybe he didn't want to stick his beak out.
10/10/09