On the sex appeal of literary crushes (more or less)
Last week, it took my fancy to read Lucy Maud Montgomery's "Emily" series. I've never really been into the series as a child and have never owned and read the first book, so I hunted it down on the Internet. And then I met Dean Priest.
She heard him say, "My God!" softly to himself. [...] "How can I help you?" said Dean Priest hoarsely, as if to ( Read more... )
She heard him say, "My God!" softly to himself. [...] "How can I help you?" said Dean Priest hoarsely, as if to ( Read more... )
Comments 27
I would definitely think that of a modern man -- for characters in historical fiction, well, woman were expected to be married by 25, and in the Austen novels, by the end of their Season, which usually took place when they were between 16-18. There weren't many woman of similar age for bachelors *to* court, so it doesn't bother me as badly as it would if they were modern stories.
but because I lose a great part of my respect for Severus when he starts making out with Harry instead of focusing his energy on his equals.I really appreciate the point, and though I do enjoy Snarry fics (mainly because with as many as there are out there, some of the have to be good just on the numbers!), I actually like this dynamic 'inequality of authority' in Snape/Dumbledore fics! But that pairing is 1) much rarer than Snape/Harry, and 2) for some reason doesn't tend to get into the potential for abuse (if not actuality of it) ( ... )
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I actually like this dynamic 'inequality of authority' in Snape/Dumbledore fics!I hardly ever read Snape/Dumbledore simply because I don't find Dumbledore sex appealing. Plus, I've got issues with Dumbledore's character. Not as in 'Dumbledore's evil' but more as in 'is Dumbledore a real character or a plot device used for explaining away plot holes'. But that's a different topic entirely ( ... )
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In, for example, England's Regency period, men and women could barely come into contact with each other in such a way to create a meaningful relationship before marriage. thus, love at first sight or only after a couple of chaperoned conversations would have been the norm. moreover, the simple amount of eligible ladies and gentlemen would have been severely limited for a particular age group, even considering the age differences within couples. so if an inteligent man met a charming girl whom he might reasonably expect to grow into a charming young lady and suitable wife, it would make a lot of sense to stake his claim early. it doesn't have to mean that he's erotically obsessed by her.. or even if he is erotically ( ... )
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Intelectually, I do understand that much of what I am put off by can be explained by the historical context. But my aversion is a rather instinctive one anyway.
As to the Emily series, they're set in the 1920s, and the girl is pretty independend and hangs around with boys a lot. The man turns out truly creepy after a while, getting all possessive and jealous and whatnot. And such things really freak me out.
the ideal woman of any age was seen as childlike, and they had the skull-measurements to prove it. ~_~
Ah yes. And psychological maturity was not to be expected since women had no soul anyway.
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I do know exactly what you mean about instinctive aversion to dependenct and/or manipulative relationships. The Snape/Harry relationship in my head doesn't fall under those terms, but it sounds like the exact reason the mere contemplation of Snape/Dumbledore, for example, makes me want to throw up. I can't imagine a scenario in which they can approach each other as equals - Snape will always owe something, in one or both of their minds. It's also the reason Tom/Dumbledore can be such an interesting pairing, as the manipulation comes from both sides, there are moral ambiguities both ways... And Snape/Black, sadly, I can't imagine while....
[it sounds like someone's being possessed by the devil outside my door; sometimes i hate living in university housing...]
sorry. Snape/Black. yes, as I've mentioned, it just doesn't work for me without some sort of severe mental trauma on Snape's part... And I just don't want to read that! ;_; Moreover, if the trauma weren't there, I probably ( ... )
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And as neotoma pointed out: for her, Snape/Dumbledore does work, Snape/Harry doesn't. *hugs diversity of fandom*
Snape/Black. yes, as I've mentioned, it just doesn't work for me without some sort of severe mental trauma on Snape's part...
Yes, that's why for me, Snape/Black works only when set in the narrative presence, when Sirius is just as vulnerable and messed up and traumatised as Severus and when Severus is in a stronger position than Sirius - by being free to come and go as he pleases, for example. I don't like seeing my men abusing each other, seeing as life's abused them more than enough!
I don't want Draco obsessed with Harry to the degree that he has to fuck him, in hatred or love or... anything. Oh no, I hate Draco obesessing about Harry. But I'm not much into the ( ... )
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