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In Lieu of Wed Reading Meme...
Mar. 5th, 2014 08:58 pmBeen thinking about this for a bit...reading and watching for me lately has a great deal to do with the subject matter and story tropes. If it is a trope or subject matter that doesn't appeal, it does not matter how well it is written.
I'm currently struggling through True Detective, which has compelling performances and acting, but the subject matter grates. And there is a host of critically acclaimed novels, films and television series that I just can't get past the subject matter or the trope its exploring. For example? I've found that I can't read novels about WWII any longer. Somewhere along the line - I got tired of the time period. Particularly one's that take place in England, Germany, or France. It's been way over-done, and I just can't read any more of them. So the book may well be brilliantly written but if it takes place in England, Germany or France during WWII or focuses on WWII? I won't like it. Feel much the same way about television series and films - nothing on WWII. WWI - I can deal with, because haven't read much or seen much on it. But god, no more WWII. Have finally gotten over my dislike of books that take place in the Victorian Age. That period is starting to grow on me, and I've changed my mind about the Medieval Period - it too has grown on me. So really it's just WWII right now that I can't read or watch about any longer.
Also there's some violent subject matter that I've apparently grown weary of: the rape trope/cliche which leads to hero seeking vengeance, the heroine gets raped to further other characters arcs. And sick of the torture...
And...terrorist story lines I can't bear to watch. Still working my way up to watching Zero Dark Thirty. And have yet to get myself to watch Homeland. Gave up on 24. Problem is? I find the Terrorist stories to be extremely racist. As if there aren't white terrorists out there. Please.
It can also be a character archetype or trope. For example? I hate the kittenish martyr. Or the persecuted emo teen. Star-crossed teen lovers? Won't work for me. (Hated Twilight in part due to the trope.) One True Love? Bleagh. Stoic, Brooding, and somewhat Whiny, Guilt-Ridden Hero? No. Can't. Weak Heroines or Damsels? Annoy me. Entitled Heroines who can't see past their own navel aka Scarlette O'Hara? I can't stand.
For some reason, I struggle with time travel storylines. (With the exception of Doctor Who - which I do enjoy, but it's different and doesn't play to the trope.) Not a fan of time travel. It just defies logic, there's too many small details that the writers fall to cover.
On the opposite side of the coin - there are tropes, archetypes or subject matter that I'll read or watch regardless of how well it is written. Because it hits my story kinks hard and is like getting a sugar fix (and when you can't eat sugar, you take what you can get). And mine change with the wind.
( not a complete list but a few off the top of my head )
Former tropes that I loved, but have unfortunately reached their saturation point and I can barely tolerate.
* Vampires
* Serial Killers
* Super heroes
* Sociopathic anti-heroes
* zombies
* revenge fantasy stories
* government conspiracies
* spy thrillers (overdosed on these in the 1990s)
* buddy detective shows (also overdosed)
I'm currently struggling through True Detective, which has compelling performances and acting, but the subject matter grates. And there is a host of critically acclaimed novels, films and television series that I just can't get past the subject matter or the trope its exploring. For example? I've found that I can't read novels about WWII any longer. Somewhere along the line - I got tired of the time period. Particularly one's that take place in England, Germany, or France. It's been way over-done, and I just can't read any more of them. So the book may well be brilliantly written but if it takes place in England, Germany or France during WWII or focuses on WWII? I won't like it. Feel much the same way about television series and films - nothing on WWII. WWI - I can deal with, because haven't read much or seen much on it. But god, no more WWII. Have finally gotten over my dislike of books that take place in the Victorian Age. That period is starting to grow on me, and I've changed my mind about the Medieval Period - it too has grown on me. So really it's just WWII right now that I can't read or watch about any longer.
Also there's some violent subject matter that I've apparently grown weary of: the rape trope/cliche which leads to hero seeking vengeance, the heroine gets raped to further other characters arcs. And sick of the torture...
And...terrorist story lines I can't bear to watch. Still working my way up to watching Zero Dark Thirty. And have yet to get myself to watch Homeland. Gave up on 24. Problem is? I find the Terrorist stories to be extremely racist. As if there aren't white terrorists out there. Please.
It can also be a character archetype or trope. For example? I hate the kittenish martyr. Or the persecuted emo teen. Star-crossed teen lovers? Won't work for me. (Hated Twilight in part due to the trope.) One True Love? Bleagh. Stoic, Brooding, and somewhat Whiny, Guilt-Ridden Hero? No. Can't. Weak Heroines or Damsels? Annoy me. Entitled Heroines who can't see past their own navel aka Scarlette O'Hara? I can't stand.
For some reason, I struggle with time travel storylines. (With the exception of Doctor Who - which I do enjoy, but it's different and doesn't play to the trope.) Not a fan of time travel. It just defies logic, there's too many small details that the writers fall to cover.
On the opposite side of the coin - there are tropes, archetypes or subject matter that I'll read or watch regardless of how well it is written. Because it hits my story kinks hard and is like getting a sugar fix (and when you can't eat sugar, you take what you can get). And mine change with the wind.
( not a complete list but a few off the top of my head )
Former tropes that I loved, but have unfortunately reached their saturation point and I can barely tolerate.
* Vampires
* Serial Killers
* Super heroes
* Sociopathic anti-heroes
* zombies
* revenge fantasy stories
* government conspiracies
* spy thrillers (overdosed on these in the 1990s)
* buddy detective shows (also overdosed)