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lkh_lashouts2006-01-10 10:39 pm
pith) wrote in lkh_lashouts2006-01-10 10:39 pm
The "think positive!" challenge
Let'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.
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I really liked that scene in Bloody Bones where he was in the tub and explaining how he was a whipping boy.
I love Edward for just being a sociopath that thought killing people was "too easy" so that's why he switched to preternatural creatures. I like that he's called Death, and that he can bring a flame-thrower to a party. I love a character that will have the resolve to torture one of his so-called friends. Really, that earns major brownie points in my book. I mean, anyone can torture a stranger. It takes some real guts to sit down and pull the fingernails off of someone you know and like. I like the fact that he's honest enough for his motives when teaming up with Anita. Something like, "I figure, I get to kill more people if I help you."
Screw money, this is a guy that genuinely likes his job.
I love the villains. They try to have motives other than, "WHEE! LOOK AT ME! I'M SO DAMNED EVIL! What? Hero? Okay - minions, go kill it." My favourite was Seraphina - simply because she made Anita actually want to turn to the Dark Side. I love a reasonably sympathetic villian, someone that can be so reasonable that the hero won't see the situation as mere black and white, something that will muddy their ethics and screw with their head. I love Seraphina for that.
I am a chamption of the Corruptors. Ever since they turned up, they're just plain awesome in my book. They're those vampires that can rot and reform, the ones that terrorised Jason. I just love the idea of something that could decay on will and turn what could be a standard sadistic batard into a disgustingly aweful and truly terrifying sadistic bastard. On the RPG scene, I'm usually the first one to volunteer bad guys of this kind, and if there's a chance, I'll even write for Morte d'Amour - the soudre de sang of the Corruptors. He's a footnote in the books, so I can pretty much play with him whatever way I like, and I like to think that I've come up with something genuinely creepy and evil.
I also support the Corruptors because they're very anti-All Things Belle Morte. Because it's just not enough to fuck with the heroes because they're the heroes. You have to fuck with them in every way possible.
Man, I'm such a fangirl at heart.
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Ahem. Sorry about that. *g* My fangirl roots are showing.
So I'm not being completely superfluous... yes, I'm down with this JC.
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(So... offtopic... what's your view on Damon/Bonnie?)
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