I don’t read these authors, because they don’t write content I like.
I am also so tired of seeing and hearing about them literally ANYWHERE books are discussed, sold, or present. Sick. Of. Them.
I’m not a fan for *reasons* like the constant mixing of sexual attraction and abuse, lack of inclusion, the offensive Twitter promotion (SJM), and overall I just want a different reader experience.
HOWEVER…
These women have published a dizzying amount of books. They have a fan base that will CUT YOU DOWN for speaking against them and most of them are also women.
Yet they are still scorned and eye rolled by most. (In the same way their predecessors were: Nora Roberts, Danielle Steele, etc).
Questions:
1) Is it because they are successful women in the historically male dominated world of publishing?
2) Are these stories actually trite and deserving of the flack they receive or are they treated as such because, on the whole, these are things mostly women like?
3) Even though I don’t read romance or “romantasy” (I call these “fairy sexy” books), I believe it has its purpose in the literary world and is a good, good thing for many people. What redeeming factors do you see and what praise do you encounter for these specific genres?
by amycgs
3 Comments
I just read my first Colleen Hoover book – Ugly Love. I didn’t like it mostly for the reasons you described – sexual attraction paired with abuse, men with 0 redeeming qualities but are somehow irresistible to women… I enjoy books about complicated relationships (Normal People, Violeta, Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo etc) but where these books show the complexity of human emotions, Ugly Love was completely one dimensional.
I mostly read books written by women and there are so many incredible authors out there. I will not pick up another Colleen Hoover.
I think at the end of the day, if people like something, they will be defensive if someone is against it. That’s just tribal instincts. I personally don’t read fantasy stuff or beach reads or whatever you want to call Colleen Hoover books. I’m a guy and these just aren’t my thing.
I don’t have a problem with reading books that have abuse elements to it. If it’s done well, it can be good. I don’t have a problem with sexual themes in books but if it’s not done well, and I can tell when it isn’t, then I will be fine with it. My problem is that I don’t think these books do a very good job at that. But that’s just my opinion.
Any time I’ve picked up either of these authors books, ive just rolled my eyes after reading a few lines and sat it back in the shelf at the bookstore.
I think any time something gets wildly popular and overexposed like this, opinions become divisive. I’ve read a few books from both and, personally, I feel pretty whatever about it haha. If people like them, great. If you don’t, great. Some fans are overkill (but is it all that different than a comparable male-heavy fandom like Star Wars? Idk). The vitriol is unnecessary. But it does feel like some of it is misogyny-driven. The creators and fan base are largely female, and I can’t think of an example of this happening with a male counterpart. Those fandoms don’t seem to get near the level of disdain and criticism as the women-heavy ones. Idk.
Edit: duplicated word