The "think positive!" challenge
Jan. 10th, 2006 10:39 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
pith posting in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
lkh_lashoutsLet's consider the "counteract fangirlism" challenge on hold. If you come up with a lovely scathing post, by all means, don't deprive us of it. But for now, a change of pace.
What do/did you like about the books? Be as positive as possible in your response. I'm saying you have to gush and say "OMG Laurell is so kewl!!!!11!". But by the same token, don't constantly draw the negativity/errors into your post either. For example, if your thought is something like "I really liked how she managed the sexual tension between Anita and JC", don't end the sentence with "until she turned Anita into Super Whore 3000." It kinda kills the point of the exercise, which is prove that there are/were things we still like. After all, if we flat-out hated LKH's work, would we waste our time on it in an LJ community? (Rhetorical question, that.)
It's been a while since I've read any LKH, so my answers will be vague.
I appreciate that she had a reason for why there weren't a lot of black vampires. Off the top of my head, I can't remember what it was; something to do with their blood and resistance to certain diseases or something. Whatever the explanation was, it wasn't one I particularly found creative, but I appreciated that she took the time to give an explanation. To me, it's those little details that round out a world.
On a somewhat related note, the attempts to bring in vampires of/from other cultures is good too. Yes, some are very stereotypical, but at least she made the effort, which most authors don't. Most authors are all too content to either have an all-white cast or have "token" ethnic people. At least LKH built up some backstory around hers.
I appreciate that she made Sylvie the second-in-command of the Pack, at least temporarily. (Can't recall what her status is now, and I haven't read Incubus Dreams either.) Yes, I know it was convenient for Richard for many reasons to have Sylvie there, the least of which being the fact that she's a lesbian. But without getting all feminazi, it's nice to see a woman in a place of physical and political power, even if it's not necessarily for the "right reasons".
And... let's see... I'll go for four happies. This is more of a scene than anything. It was earlyish in the series, but I can't remember which book. Jason was talking with Anita in the Circus and she made some comment to the effect of "What are you doing here? You went to college". To which he more or less replied "So did you, and here you are." Basically saying that education and status aren't everything. As a single, unemployed "professional student" who lives in her parents' basement, I appreciate the sentiment.
What do/did you like about the books? Be as positive as possible in your response. I'm saying you have to gush and say "OMG Laurell is so kewl!!!!11!". But by the same token, don't constantly draw the negativity/errors into your post either. For example, if your thought is something like "I really liked how she managed the sexual tension between Anita and JC", don't end the sentence with "until she turned Anita into Super Whore 3000." It kinda kills the point of the exercise, which is prove that there are/were things we still like. After all, if we flat-out hated LKH's work, would we waste our time on it in an LJ community? (Rhetorical question, that.)
It's been a while since I've read any LKH, so my answers will be vague.
I appreciate that she had a reason for why there weren't a lot of black vampires. Off the top of my head, I can't remember what it was; something to do with their blood and resistance to certain diseases or something. Whatever the explanation was, it wasn't one I particularly found creative, but I appreciated that she took the time to give an explanation. To me, it's those little details that round out a world.
On a somewhat related note, the attempts to bring in vampires of/from other cultures is good too. Yes, some are very stereotypical, but at least she made the effort, which most authors don't. Most authors are all too content to either have an all-white cast or have "token" ethnic people. At least LKH built up some backstory around hers.
I appreciate that she made Sylvie the second-in-command of the Pack, at least temporarily. (Can't recall what her status is now, and I haven't read Incubus Dreams either.) Yes, I know it was convenient for Richard for many reasons to have Sylvie there, the least of which being the fact that she's a lesbian. But without getting all feminazi, it's nice to see a woman in a place of physical and political power, even if it's not necessarily for the "right reasons".
And... let's see... I'll go for four happies. This is more of a scene than anything. It was earlyish in the series, but I can't remember which book. Jason was talking with Anita in the Circus and she made some comment to the effect of "What are you doing here? You went to college". To which he more or less replied "So did you, and here you are." Basically saying that education and status aren't everything. As a single, unemployed "professional student" who lives in her parents' basement, I appreciate the sentiment.
