tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885694854287201066.post3570203204026470314..comments2023-05-14T08:25:20.167-04:00Comments on Physicality of Words: Thinking about sex in some sf/f storiesÅkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09547046504097554789noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885694854287201066.post-70523008611467482012008-02-05T22:00:00.000-05:002008-02-05T22:00:00.000-05:00Thanks for the quote. : )My reaction to the sex sc...Thanks for the quote. : )<BR/><BR/>My reaction to the sex scene was only that it was a bit much to recommend by a public library for a 10 to 15 year olds (or rather their parents) who live in a Midwestern state. <BR/><BR/>You have a good point about Lake telling us instead of showing us Hethor's actions. It's something I haven't considered.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885694854287201066.post-3916133563033131332008-02-05T15:12:00.000-05:002008-02-05T15:12:00.000-05:00Very interesting. I think you're spot-on about The...Very interesting. I think you're spot-on about The Sparrow. Also of interest is the celibate bridal-mysticism the priest has. Russell show the devastating effect rape would have on someone devoted to that sort of spirituality. Actually, she talks about the rape theme in some of her interviews available on her website. Also, the whole issue of celibacy and sexual self-restraint that she depicts in the priests. She's said that she personally has been a one-man woman who's wrestled with sexual self-control and faithfulness in the face of temptation, and learned its benefits. This is not exactly a popular theme in modern literature! So I think you're right to say that The Sparrow has a lot to do with sex, but not in the standard "subversive gender roles blah blah blah" way.<BR/><BR/>The symbolism of sex in Pullman does sound rather disturbing. And yeah, while in certain historical periods the Church has often viewed sex as the Fall, it's really hard to find that in the original biblical text.Elliothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08144417439505262113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8885694854287201066.post-31522935300845143492008-02-05T06:45:00.000-05:002008-02-05T06:45:00.000-05:00Interesting discussion, but I've managed to not re...Interesting discussion, but I've managed to not read any of the books you mention so I can't comment on the specifics. I must get around to Pullman soon.Hans Perssonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00056334737313092043noreply@blogger.com