Nicola Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 I can relate so much to that. In high school - reading Anne Rice during recess and subtly cocooning myself around the book trying to cover up the sexy bits. And, now, even though I'm older, I still do the exact same thing when something kinky sneaks into the storyline and I just happen to be reading in the presence of other people. When I read Porno by Irvine Welsh I had to hide the cover in public in case people thought it was about porn! It was, but I didn't want people to think I was reading about 'throbbing members' at that particular moment Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lexiepiper Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 When I read Porno by Irvine Welsh I had to hide the cover in public in case people thought it was about porn! It was, but I didn't want people to think I was reading about 'throbbing members' at that particular moment :lol:!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Landsman Posted February 3, 2010 Share Posted February 3, 2010 I don't mind, and often rather enjoy, sex - even gratuitous sex - in books. It's fine, in the same way that describing how a character is cooking dinner is. It provides a sensual texture, even if there is no direct plot-purpose to the sex. The only sex I don't like is bad sex (and that's true for sex in books, too). There is, though, an additional problem which I was going to bring up on the Cool Books thread. People were talking about looking over shoulders to see what others are reading, and sometimes on the tube I'm reading a fairly literary book, and suddenly I'll find myself reading something really rather kinky and weird which has sneaked in. And that's when it gets uncomfortable - thinking there's some doddery old granny, or gothy teenager, or severe jehova's witness woman, looking over my shoulder thinking "what a filthy perv! Reading that stuff in public." So, the book comes a bit closer to me and I lean further back into the chair as I try and make it harder for anyone to read over my shoulder. I always feel I look very weird at this point, and it's completely "obvious" that I'm a dirty old man. I'm not too concerned with how the average moron perceives me, but even I would feel a tad awkward if I was reading something as explicit as Tropic of Cancer on a bus or train I wouldn't even dream of taking my copy of Naked Lunch on public transport either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AbielleRose Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 People were talking about looking over shoulders to see what others are reading, and sometimes on the tube I'm reading a fairly literary book, and suddenly I'll find myself reading something really rather kinky and weird which has sneaked in. And that's when it gets uncomfortable - thinking there's some doddery old granny, or gothy teenager, or severe jehova's witness woman, looking over my shoulder thinking "what a filthy perv! Reading that stuff in public." So, the book comes a bit closer to me and I lean further back into the chair as I try and make it harder for anyone to read over my shoulder. I always feel I look very weird at this point, and it's completely "obvious" that I'm a dirty old man. :lol:That reminds me of when me and some of my female co-workers talked one of the only guys (he is a very macho guy who sticks in the horror/sports genres) in our department into listening to a very smutty Nora Roberts book (we get to listen to books on tape while we work). Every time one of the sexy parts would start forming his face would turn beet red and he would set his jaw and just stare at his screen until it was over. He never let us choose a book for him again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinay87 Posted February 4, 2010 Author Share Posted February 4, 2010 Aw man this reminds me of my only James Hadley Chase book.... I think it was We will die a double death or something like that. I was all of 15 and I was sitting in the back of a language class where the teacher was an annoying lummox, reading it with my friends. Suddenly he swooped down on us and snatched the book away. And after he gave us the usual "thou shalt not read novels in class." he went up front of the class and began reading the sex scene out loud. He didn't realise what he was reading until he finished and then shut the book suddenly and walked out of class fuming. *shudders* I thankfully can't remember most of the words but I do remember trying to draw my head into my shell-less torso. And from then on I gained near godhood among the guys for discovering Chase and the girls looked at me like I was a pervert and they deduced that my writing talents would now go towards describing them should they come near me. :| The funny thing to this being that teacher never returned my book. Many of us remember him reading a book of the same size covered with a newspaper sheet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ilona Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 (edited) I'm alright with sex in books, but there are times where it annoys me. It really depends on how it's described - if it's utterly corny and babbling about the 'red hot thrusting passion' it fills them with or whatever, it gets to me. If they must talk about their spurning emotions, I can only stand it if it's tasteful. Oddly, I prefer when sex scenes - if they must be described - are clinical. Graphic images don't really bother me, just sappy romantic cr*p. I'm not much of a fan of romance. Edited February 7, 2010 by Ilona Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SueK Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 I don't even know what that means! But it sounds painful! Exactly:lol: That just about sums how bad the book was - can't even remember the title or the author, just that his attempt at a sex scene was pants:mrgreen: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KW Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 I don't care for sex in books. I don't write it, either. I can't justify contributing the the addiction of pornography. Pornography: ( as defined by Websters Dictionary ) 1 : the depiction of erotic behavior (as in pictures or writing) intended to cause sexual excitement 2 : material (as books or a photograph) that depicts erotic behavior and is intended to cause sexual excitement 3 : the depiction of acts in a sensational manner so as to arouse a quick intense emotional reaction Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinay87 Posted February 4, 2010 Author Share Posted February 4, 2010 I don't care for sex in books. I don't write it, either. I can't justify contributing the the addiction of pornography. Pornography: ( as defined by Websters Dictionary ) 1 : the depiction of erotic behavior (as in pictures or writing) intended to cause sexual excitement 2 : material (as books or a photograph) that depicts erotic behavior and is intended to cause sexual excitement 3 : the depiction of acts in a sensational manner so as to arouse a quick intense emotional reaction But what happens when sometimes the sex is necessary? Many tough people are helpless in bed, villains are easily dealt with. I can't see the point of a book about a rapist, for instance, that's bereft of sex. Or a book about an empowering man who is finally killed by the woman he is in love with because of some harm he had done to her family etc etc. As opposed to a shot in the back, the scenario where he gets killed in the throes of passion sounds a little more believable somehow. Or am I just messed up wanting a little grandiosity in life? I'm not trying to question you per se... I dislike sex in books too so I just leave the scene hanging when I have to write one. "After the long kiss she kicked open the door and hauled him in by his necktie." Or some such. But in once scene I do face a problem where a character is killed during the act of sex itself. Which is sort of the reason for this thread in the first place to see if I could learn a way around it. But then again, when the story dictates itself, I have little say in it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dimitra Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 I always find it amusing that people are so desensitized to killing and violence and gore in both books and movies, but sex actually warrants a discussion and/or discomfort. I think it's because sex has always been considered as something, what's the right word, immoral? At least if we take it to the status of religion. As a result, many people don't feel comfortable about their body. I have some friends, for instance, who can't stand watching sex scenes, they'll begin turning around or giggling and that kind of stuff. Well, they can't actually talk about it either. I've only read one book describing sex, Atonement, and the scene was important to the plot. Otherwise, I'm not sure what descriptions would make me feel uncomfortable. I don't generally mind it in films either, but usually when it's decipted more emotionally, otherwise it makes me a little uncomfortable, maybe due to the fact that I don't have any sexual experiences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kylie Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 I can't justify contributing the the addiction of pornography. Pornography: ( as defined by Websters Dictionary ) 1 : the depiction of erotic behavior (as in pictures or writing) intended to cause sexual excitement 2 : material (as books or a photograph) that depicts erotic behavior and is intended to cause sexual excitement 3 : the depiction of acts in a sensational manner so as to arouse a quick intense emotional reaction While I agree with the definition of pornography, I have to disagree that sex scenes are written as pornography. There is a big difference, in my opinion. Maybe it's just that I haven't come across actual porn in books, but all the sex scenes I've ever read are clearly not written with the intention of titillating the reader. If some people get sexually aroused by it, well the author can't help that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 I don't care for sex in books. I don't write it, either. I can't justify contributing the the addiction of pornography. Pornography: ( as defined by Websters Dictionary ) 1 : the depiction of erotic behavior (as in pictures or writing) intended to cause sexual excitement 2 : material (as books or a photograph) that depicts erotic behavior and is intended to cause sexual excitement 3 : the depiction of acts in a sensational manner so as to arouse a quick intense emotional reaction Sex scenes aren't always pornographic and, conversely, I've read some very descriptive sex scenes that have been far from a turn on (not because they are badly written or anything, but because they are a part of story and arousal just doesn't come into it). Sex is just a tool (no pun intended), it is part of life and it can be used to enhance a story or detract from it. When it is used by a good writer it can help a story and when it is used by a poor one it can screw it up (no pun intended). Sex itself isn't the problem, bad writers are. And remember folks, without sex none of us would be here! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanC_84 Posted February 4, 2010 Share Posted February 4, 2010 Sex scenes aren't always pornographic and, conversely, I've read some very descriptive sex scenes that have been far from a turn on (not because they are badly written or anything, but because they are a part of story and arousal just doesn't come into it). Sex is just a tool (no pun intended), it is part of life and it can be used to enhance a story or detract from it. When it is used by a good writer it can help a story and when it is used by a poor one it can screw it up (no pun intended). Sex itself isn't the problem, bad writers are. And remember folks, without sex none of us would be here! This is bang on mate, exactly how I see it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WrongIslander Posted February 5, 2010 Share Posted February 5, 2010 First off is the sex scene an important part of the book? If the book is primarily about sex the chances are I am not reading it as that would just bore me to tears. The sex in the story isn't always the most appealing or even exciting part but it has a part to play none the less in my opinion. Take for example the book I am reading now, "American Pyscho". Very graphically described sexual acts in a gutteral way that are extremely unpleasant but they give a valuable insight into the mind of the character, so their place in the book is warranted. I may be well off here but I'm yet to see a film or read a book that details a sexual encounter that has had any real affect on me or my enjoyment of a story. Sometimes I'm glad the characters got together or other times I'm just being a perve but in no sense is it down to the script or the narative of the scene in question, it is always about what was before or after. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigWords Posted February 5, 2010 Share Posted February 5, 2010 There is an (arguable) difference between erotica and pornography. The case against pornography (the Foundation of Light, or whatever they are calling themselves these days) completely miss the point when the distinction gets brought up, and several politicians (who ought to know better) have fallen into the trap of labelling something one when it is the other. Using dictionaries, or legal definitions, or guidelines of any sort, to categorize all sex scenes is a Fail. Each depiction (in literature, film, art or other media) should be approached on its' own merits or lack thereof. By saying that all sex scenes are pornography, then we come to the other discussion. Do we want to see age ratings on books? Titles sold in brown paper bags from under the counter, where impressionable minds can't be influenced? I'm with Frank Miller when it comes to censorship - the idiots (book burners) go after the media which is emblazoned with age restrictions and content warnings on the front. Lets not do their work for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Univerze Posted February 5, 2010 Share Posted February 5, 2010 I don't care for sex in books. I don't write it, either. I can't justify contributing the the addiction of pornography. Pornography: ( as defined by Websters Dictionary ) 1 : the depiction of erotic behavior (as in pictures or writing) intended to cause sexual excitement 2 : material (as books or a photograph) that depicts erotic behavior and is intended to cause sexual excitement 3 : the depiction of acts in a sensational manner so as to arouse a quick intense emotional reaction See, I do care for sex in books, then again I absolutely don't have a problem with pornography. Sex for me, is part of life, and we have films and books about violence, why not about sex? Admitted I can see a distinction in that the violence is not real and the sex in pornography is (in films at least).. but I'd rather watch pornography than say, one of those horrible films about torture that is so popular these days (Hostel, some Saw films etc). Sex over violence. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted February 5, 2010 Share Posted February 5, 2010 ... but I'd rather watch pornography than say, one of those horrible films about torture that is so popular these days (Hostel, some Saw films etc). Sex over violence. Me too. Although in books, I think I equally love both. Well, with the torture it has to be integral to the story, same as with the sex, which is why I tend to prefer crime fiction and psychological-scares (American Psycho is a perfect example of really excellently-written violence!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Univerze Posted February 5, 2010 Share Posted February 5, 2010 You know, the things I have heard about American Psycho make me really want to read it.. loved the film too. Anyway, just realized that when I say pornography, I mean films. Books, no matter how graphically the sex acts are described, for me are not pornography. I know the definition says they can be, I am just stating my feelings. Why? Because for me, pornography is real sex. And films, that can be, but books is just not real. Anyway my opinion on sex in books reflects my opinion on sex in daily life. I have no problems with it, an can be open about it, it's hard to embarrass me with anything related to sex. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Posted February 5, 2010 Share Posted February 5, 2010 Sex over violence. Make love, not war! I have no problems with it, an can be open about it, it's hard to embarrass me with anything related to sex. Boobies! (admit it, you blushed!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kimmy619 Posted February 5, 2010 Share Posted February 5, 2010 Make love, not war! Boobies! (admit it, you blushed!). made me chuckle as I am reading this in an open plan office...! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AbielleRose Posted February 5, 2010 Share Posted February 5, 2010 Make love, not war! Boobies! (admit it, you blushed!). You made me laugh with that, Raven. Nice one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rawr Posted February 5, 2010 Share Posted February 5, 2010 I have no problem at all, as long as it fits the story with regards to the weight of exposure and detail that the writer goes into. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Univerze Posted February 5, 2010 Share Posted February 5, 2010 Make love, not war! Boobies! (admit it, you blushed!). Hee hee.. absolutely, my face is SO red right now.. Oh wait, no, I actually have a pair of those, so why would I blush. The thing they say, that women can be worse than men, talking about sex.. can be so true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vinay87 Posted February 5, 2010 Author Share Posted February 5, 2010 Hee hee.. absolutely, my face is SO red right now.. Oh wait, no, I actually have a pair of those, so why would I blush. The thing they say, that women can be worse than men, talking about sex.. can be so true. This I know from personal experiance. One of the ten commandments for men should be "Thou shalt not indulge a woman in speech about sex, lest thou burn from burning thy face red." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raven Posted February 5, 2010 Share Posted February 5, 2010 Hee hee.. absolutely, my face is SO red right now.. Result! (I'm choosing to ignore the rest of your post!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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