I’ve just finished reading Sharon… erm Maya Bank’s book, Colters’ Woman. In this book, one of the lead characters had been held captive (and tortured) in Iraq. I don’t know why, but for some reason, this totally me threw me out of the story.
I seem to hate Iraq related plot devices in romances, but I’m at loss to explain why. I can cope with other actual military operations such as Desert Storm appearing in books, but I just can’t stomach any mention of this particular Iraq war. Is this a case of trying to bury my head in the sand?
Any thoughts?
Kristie (J)
October 6
8:23 pm
I wonder if part of why this is so difficult and doesn’t work is that it’s still an ongoing war. It’s like standing in the middle of the story and knowing there is no resolution, no HEA still rather than seeing it from a bit of distance. With some distance you know that for some there will be a HEA. Anyway – that’s one of my rather poorly put theories.
Anonymous
October 7
2:53 am
Iraq plot devices are like 9/11 plot devices. It’s not that I want to bury my head in the sand, but some things are just too tragic – too close – to use as the backdrop for a love story. My grandfather felt the same way about Pearl Harbor.
Rosie
October 7
4:48 pm
I bought this book too. Ironically I saw your comments at RTB and noted you hadn’t made a sexy book purchase in a while. Me neither! Probably about 6-8 weeks for some of the very reasons Jordan discusses in her post.
I have to admit my curiousity won out and I did finish this book, but the beginning bugged me (“she’s the one” when she’s unconscious?) much more than the tortured wounded soldier from Iraq.
Having said that though…I read this book before reading the recent accounts of American soldiers torturing Iraqis and murdering them while in our custody. Horrified by the accounts actually.
Now, I think I’d have a much harder time reading any story, let alone erotic menage fantasy with a character who had been tortured in captivity.
Bookwormom
October 9
4:39 pm
I don’t read military stories anymore. I began volunteering at a local military hospital here in the DC metro region a while ago. After I started, I couln’t read military themed romances anymore. Everytime I look at a book with a military hero all I see are the young injured ones in the hospital where I volunteer. It is too close to my heart. Too painful. I can’t distance myself enough.
Devonna
October 9
6:27 pm
I probably won’t be buying this one ~ I agree with everything Bettie posted. I read to escape reality for a bit ~ having something this recent just makes me more inclined not to buy and not to read.
LorelieLong
October 10
9:07 am
I suck ’em up, but primarily to compare with the people I know in real life – who really have been over there. What pisses me off more is when the author seems to know very little about the military and is making it up as they go along. However I can totally understand how some people feel it’s too soon.
Anonymous
October 12
5:44 pm
I’m more about the scene of the lady sleeping in the bed, and older brother comes in to finger her while she sleeps…She just met him and doesn’t know he’s doing this.
Yeah, that is a complete turn off!