Nathanial as a street kid.

[kuzunoha.livejournal.com]

A previous post that spoke of slang made me think about how Nathanial is totally not a beleivable street kid.

Even though he's out of the "lifestyle" he would still have some basic mannerisms and speech patterns of someone who lived on the street for most of his life.

I live in a liberal, not intimidating, fairly low crime area... And even here Nathanial would not survive. Throw in that he has to eat a lot to maintain his beast... And no. Not possible.

A friend of mine lived on the street for a while by choice. It was an expieriance the culture thing. She did it for about five months and she still has a "street mode", which is disconcerting to see her switch into at times. Nathaniel supposedly grew up in the streets... He would have this times a million.

But he doesn't.

There is nothing about him that reminds me of anything but an abused child... But even severely abused children that live on the streets are forced to at least ACT tough.

If LKH knew anything about street culture she would play with Nathanial's background for more then sympathy. She could make his character so much more colorful and less two dimensional with it...

You know... I think lately I'm starting to think that LKH comes up with really awesome characters... With good background stories(though all the stereotypical tragic) but just doesn't know anything about people that actually live with this stuff. I mean... Even if she just bought someone a meal and talked to them minimally... She would have a better feel for what Nathanial would actually be in the real world.

Is there such thing as character abuse? The woman should be prosecuted for neglet and overall ill treatment.

Comments

[delphinapterus.livejournal.com]

One little detail - Gabriel took Nathaniel off the street, turned him into a wereleopard, then started pimping him out again. So the eating to maintain his beast wouldn't be an issue.

The rest I agree with. I mean even just sticking with the pity-horror angle that LKH is locked-on - a lot more could be done with Nat's background.

I think that her characters are constructed from a good skeleton but she can't/won't do any research into how they would have lived during their backstory. Thus, we need up with backstories that seem to be made up of whatever heresay, clichés, and very vague information LKH has right on hand.

[kuzunoha.livejournal.com]

Ah. It's been a while since I've read the books. I didn't realize he was changes AFTER the fact.

D'oh.

[wyckedflesh.livejournal.com]

It is mentioned that Nathaniel was such a bottom that he had a keeper who was killed right before he met Gabriel (can't remember the name, but its mentioned in ID/CS, too tired and lazy to figure out precisely which book. Having met someone as broken as Nathaniel, yes he is lacking to some extent a 'street vibe', but, not as much as you imply. He was ALWAYS a vic, and to that extent, he is as he would be on the street. It also wasn't until AFTER he was with Gabriel he was infected, not before, so the care of his beast, didn't arrive til later.

[kuzunoha.livejournal.com]

I'm going off the "street kids" I know personally.

Nathanial is nothing like anyone I know that does or has lived on the street.

Though to be fair most of them aren't prostitutes with the extreme sub aspect that his character has.

As I stated above it's been a while since I've read the books, I didn't remember the part about the change being after he was on the streets.

[dracoliciousss.livejournal.com]

bet his ankle-length hair was a hinderance out there on the street, lol. i don't know why, that has always bothered me

[ladyvy.livejournal.com]

Nathaniel probably got his ass whooped. Long hair, easy leverage. And I've learned that being in the 'hood, and doing martial arts.

[ladyvy.livejournal.com]

As someone from the 'hood, I have to say that I agree. I find this to be a big flaw when it comes to writing. But I must say that there ARE some street kids who do not use slang... Some do it because they want to better themselves. I know I only talk slang when I feel comfortable or it's appropriate. But still it is passing odd that Nathaniel doesn't use ANY slang, unless his parents wouldn't allow him to, and it just stuck (I know people who are like that).

I also think that when a writer doesn't do enough research for her book/series they are cheapening their craft and hurting the character in the end. Luckily, LKH doesn't mess up voodun too much as I've seen some other authors do. Otherwise, I'd have burn the first book I bought of hers. (FYI: I'm Haitian-American and am a bit touchy when someone fucks up my culture.)

[kuzunoha.livejournal.com]

Again, I'm going off the people I know. I've never met someone that lived on the streets that didn't use ANY slang. Even the ones that try not to slip up a bit. Though my mother lived on the streets and doesn't use any slang... But she's been removed from it for about fifteen years now. Nathanial wasn't on the street that long ago. Consequently I'm twenty one so I suppose I lived on the streets too... But I was so young I don't count.

One thing that also bugs me is the total broken lack of hope all her characters that have lived on the streets seem to have. My mother for example again, grew up like that and is now in the higher tax bracket. People can work their way out of a hole... But in the Anita Blake world only Anita can help them.

[saadiira.livejournal.com]

He was 'owned' a good deal of time, so I can see the hair. I actually know a chick who was in a similar situation, and had extreme hair like that. None of it is impossible.

She just could do so much better with characterization overall.

-Dira-

[tyger-raven.livejournal.com]

You know, now that you've got me thinking, there are soooo many things about Nathaniel that I can't stand. It's urks me that he's an adult yet Anita coddles him like he's three. He's so blasted needy that it's annoying. And the hair. GAH!!! First, I recognize that in LKH's mind, the only good man is a man with a long mane of hair, but OMG! I've never met a man with hair down to his ankles because it's so unrealistic. Even the women I've heard that have long hair state that it's the biggest chore they've ever experienced. Long hair is such a hinderance. I just don't see any man (or boy in Nathaniel's case) letting his hair get that long. Gah! Nathaniel is now my least favorite AB character, and that's saying a lot since I personally HATE Jean Claude.

[delphinapterus.livejournal.com]

Yes that hair. It sounds very pretty but think of the weight of it. Unless Nat's got really thin hair, it's going to be very heavy, heavy enough to give him headaches and pull his head back when it's wet. I find Nat to be one of the most frustrating characters in the series because he has a lot of potential but nothing comes from it. LKH drops some little hints that would be lovely to explore, and they would have the great benefit of a plot being attached to them, but they are forgotten.