|
Fiction_L Archives
Dead Boyfriend syndrome
Return to December 1999 thread menu | Fiction_L Archives Menu |
FROM: <[removed]@libby.rbls.lib.il.us>
REC'D: 12/17/99, 2:39 PM
Meg Sarff
Public Services Manager/WebGoddess
Davenport Public Library
321 Main Street
Davenport IA 52801-1490
319-328-6848
FROM: "Viccy Kemp" <[removed]@ci.carrollton.tx.us>
REC'D: 12/17/99, 3:59 PM
> -----Original Message-----
> [removed]@libby.rbls.lib.il.us [[removed]@libby.rbls.lib.il.us]
> Sent: Friday, December 17, 1999 2:34 PM
> [removed]@maillist.nslsilus.org
> Subject: Dead Boyfriend syndrome
>
> Hi. I'm newly returned to the list after a 3-year absence, so don't
> know if this has been addressed before but I've noticed a lot of female
> mystery writers are killing off/dumping the significant other of the
> heroine in series books. Most of the librarians here read mysteries as
> I do and both they and patrons are commenting on the fact that this
> seems to be a trend, and an undesirable one at that. Writers like
> Patricia Cornwell, Dana Stabenow, Sue Henry, Martha C. Lawrence, Susan
> Dunlap, Charlaine Harris, Rebecca Rothenberg, Laura Crum, and Karen
> Kijewski have all eliminated the lover/husband/significant other of the
> series heroine and it's depressing. Patrons have commented that they
> feel betrayed by the author when she does that. Has anyone else --
> librarian or mystery reader -- noticed this trend?
>
> Meg Sarff
> Public Services Manager/WebGoddess
> Davenport Public Library
> 321 Main Street
> Davenport IA 52801-1490
> 319-328-6848
FROM: "Jeanne Linn" <[removed]@libby.org>
REC'D: 12/17/99, 4:46 PM
-----Original Message-----
From: Viccy Kemp <[removed]@ci.carrollton.tx.us>
To: [removed]@maillist.nslsilus.org' <[removed]@maillist.nslsilus.org>
Date: Friday, December 17, 1999 3:46 PM
Subject: RE: Dead Boyfriend syndrome
>There was a substantial discussion about this recently on DorothyL. The
>consensus was, that as readers, they felt betrayed as well. I was horribly
>upset about what happened in Dana Stabenow's latest. The authors on
DorothyL
>seemed to feel they were moving their characters in a new direction and not
>betraying the basis of the characters. But, yes, there has been a trend
>towards this end.
>Viccy Kemp
>The opinions are my own; the library wouldn't want 'em!
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: [removed]@libby.rbls.lib.il.us [[removed]@libby.rbls.lib.il.us]
>> Sent: Friday, December 17, 1999 2:34 PM
>> To: [removed]@maillist.nslsilus.org
>> Subject: Dead Boyfriend syndrome
>>
>> Hi. I'm newly returned to the list after a 3-year absence, so don't
>> know if this has been addressed before but I've noticed a lot of female
>> mystery writers are killing off/dumping the significant other of the
>> heroine in series books. Most of the librarians here read mysteries as
>> I do and both they and patrons are commenting on the fact that this
>> seems to be a trend, and an undesirable one at that. Writers like
>> Patricia Cornwell, Dana Stabenow, Sue Henry, Martha C. Lawrence, Susan
>> Dunlap, Charlaine Harris, Rebecca Rothenberg, Laura Crum, and Karen
>> Kijewski have all eliminated the lover/husband/significant other of the
>> series heroine and it's depressing. Patrons have commented that they
>> feel betrayed by the author when she does that. Has anyone else --
>> librarian or mystery reader -- noticed this trend?
>>
>> Meg Sarff
>> Public Services Manager/WebGoddess
>> Davenport Public Library
>> 321 Main Street
>> Davenport IA 52801-1490
>> 319-328-6848
>
FROM: <[removed]@carmel.lib.in.us>
REC'D: 12/18/99, 10:00 AM
I was really mad when Benton got killed in Point of Origin. Maybe Kay would be a nicer person and kinder to herself if she had someone to love. Why not let him live?
This October I attended Magna Cum Mystery, a fan event in Muncie, IN. I asked Anne Perry why she had Hester and Monk get married. She said, My publisher told me that I had to do something about the relationship. Apparently, the publishers are telling the authors to get these relationships off the fence and most authors choose to kill off the boy or girl friend. So much for love. Guess I'll have to read a Danielle Steel to feel better. (Well, maybe not. . .)
To add to the CD discussion, I listened to one while painting my bedroom. It was better than a cassette because I didn't have to keep getting off the ladder and washing my hands to flip the tape over.
Chris Prescott
>
>From: [removed]@libby.rbls.lib.il.us
>Date: Fri, 17 Dec 1999 14:33:30 -0600
>To: [removed]@maillist.nslsilus.org
>Subject: Dead Boyfriend syndrome
>
>Hi. I'm newly returned to the list after a 3-year absence, so don't
>know if this has been addressed before but I've noticed a lot of female
>mystery writers are killing off/dumping the significant other of the
>heroine in series books. Most of the librarians here read mysteries as
>I do and both they and patrons are commenting on the fact that this
>seems to be a trend, and an undesirable one at that. Writers like
>Patricia Cornwell, Dana Stabenow, Sue Henry, Martha C. Lawrence, Susan
>Dunlap, Charlaine Harris, Rebecca Rothenberg, Laura Crum, and Karen
>Kijewski have all eliminated the lover/husband/significant other of the
>series heroine and it's depressing. Patrons have commented that they
>feel betrayed by the author when she does that. Has anyone else --
>librarian or mystery reader -- noticed this trend?
>
>Meg Sarff
>Public Services Manager/WebGoddess
>Davenport Public Library
>321 Main Street
>Davenport IA 52801-1490
>319-328-6848
>
>
FROM: "Jean Meadors" <[removed]@ccpl.ci.corpus-christi.tx.us>
REC'D: 12/18/99, 10:18 AM
On Fri, 17 Dec 1999, Viccy Kemp wrote:
> There was a substantial discussion about this recently on DorothyL. The
> consensus was, that as readers, they felt betrayed as well. I was horribly
> upset about what happened in Dana Stabenow's latest. The authors on DorothyL
> seemed to feel they were moving their characters in a new direction and not
> betraying the basis of the characters. But, yes, there has been a trend
> towards this end.
> Viccy Kemp
> The opinions are my own; the library wouldn't want 'em!
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > [removed]@libby.rbls.lib.il.us [[removed]@libby.rbls.lib.il.us]
> > Sent: Friday, December 17, 1999 2:34 PM
> > [removed]@maillist.nslsilus.org
> > Subject: Dead Boyfriend syndrome
> >
> > Hi. I'm newly returned to the list after a 3-year absence, so don't
> > know if this has been addressed before but I've noticed a lot of female
> > mystery writers are killing off/dumping the significant other of the
> > heroine in series books. Most of the librarians here read mysteries as
> > I do and both they and patrons are commenting on the fact that this
> > seems to be a trend, and an undesirable one at that. Writers like
> > Patricia Cornwell, Dana Stabenow, Sue Henry, Martha C. Lawrence, Susan
> > Dunlap, Charlaine Harris, Rebecca Rothenberg, Laura Crum, and Karen
> > Kijewski have all eliminated the lover/husband/significant other of the
> > series heroine and it's depressing. Patrons have commented that they
> > feel betrayed by the author when she does that. Has anyone else --
> > librarian or mystery reader -- noticed this trend?
> >
> > Meg Sarff
> > Public Services Manager/WebGoddess
> > Davenport Public Library
> > 321 Main Street
> > Davenport IA 52801-1490
> > 319-328-6848
>
FROM: <[removed]@mpl.on.ca>
REC'D: 12/18/99, 10:34 AM
Yes yes yes!!!! I've noticed this trend too as have several of my
patrons, and we are all appalled. It's fun (or a least expected)when a
bad guy (or gal) get bumped off, but awful when it is a character you have
come to know and love. My patrons have also felt betrayed, and afraid
to pick up the latest of any given series. How can we stop this carnage????
Mary
>Hi. I'm newly returned to the list after a 3-year absence, so don't
>know if this has been addressed before but I've noticed a lot of female
>mystery writers are killing off/dumping the significant other of the
>heroine in series books. Most of the librarians here read mysteries as
>I do and both they and patrons are commenting on the fact that this
>seems to be a trend, and an undesirable one at that. Writers like
>Patricia Cornwell, Dana Stabenow, Sue Henry, Martha C. Lawrence, Susan
>Dunlap, Charlaine Harris, Rebecca Rothenberg, Laura Crum, and Karen
>Kijewski have all eliminated the lover/husband/significant other of the
>series heroine and it's depressing. Patrons have commented that they
>feel betrayed by the author when she does that. Has anyone else --
>librarian or mystery reader -- noticed this trend?
>
>Meg Sarff
>Public Services Manager/WebGoddess
>Davenport Public Library
>321 Main Street
>Davenport IA 52801-1490
>319-328-6848
>
>
Mary Zadow
Milton Public Library
45 Bruce St
Milton, Ontario
L9T 2L5
FROM: "Jean Brown" <[removed]@mindspring.com>
REC'D: 12/18/99, 11:18 AM
[removed]@mindspring.com
FROM: "Jane Jorgenson" <[removed]@scls.lib.wi.us>
REC'D: 12/20/99, 10:19 AM
Just some thoughts,
Jane
At 02:33 PM 12/17/99 -0600, you wrote:
>Hi. I'm newly returned to the list after a 3-year absence, so don't
>know if this has been addressed before but I've noticed a lot of female
>mystery writers are killing off/dumping the significant other of the
>heroine in series books. Most of the librarians here read mysteries as
>I do and both they and patrons are commenting on the fact that this
>seems to be a trend, and an undesirable one at that. Writers like
>Patricia Cornwell, Dana Stabenow, Sue Henry, Martha C. Lawrence, Susan
>Dunlap, Charlaine Harris, Rebecca Rothenberg, Laura Crum, and Karen
>Kijewski have all eliminated the lover/husband/significant other of the
>series heroine and it's depressing. Patrons have commented that they
>feel betrayed by the author when she does that. Has anyone else --
>librarian or mystery reader -- noticed this trend?
>
>Meg Sarff
>Public Services Manager/WebGoddess
>Davenport Public Library
>321 Main Street
>Davenport IA 52801-1490
>319-328-6848
>
>
>
FROM: "Paula Hale" <[removed]@lib.ci.phoenix.az.us>
REC'D: 12/20/99, 11:06 AM
Paula Hale Tel: (602) 534-5276
Desert Sage Branch Fax: (602) 534-4367
Phoenix Public Library email: [removed]@lib.ci.phoenix.az.us
7602 W. Encanto Blvd.
Phoenix, AZ 85035
On Mon, 20 Dec 1999, Jane Jorgenson wrote:
> I've noticed this too. I've wondered if these authors got together and
> decided the trend this year would be to get rid of those pesky partners. I
> was very upset that Kijewski got rid of the partner between books. Many
> authors cite the need for dramatic tension, telling us that the
> relationship becomes boring if it lasts for too many books. But authors
> like Jan Burke have proved this isn't so.
>
> Just some thoughts,
> Jane
>
> At 02:33 PM 12/17/99 -0600, you wrote:
> >Hi. I'm newly returned to the list after a 3-year absence, so don't
> >know if this has been addressed before but I've noticed a lot of female
> >mystery writers are killing off/dumping the significant other of the
> >heroine in series books. Most of the librarians here read mysteries as
> >I do and both they and patrons are commenting on the fact that this
> >seems to be a trend, and an undesirable one at that. Writers like
> >Patricia Cornwell, Dana Stabenow, Sue Henry, Martha C. Lawrence, Susan
> >Dunlap, Charlaine Harris, Rebecca Rothenberg, Laura Crum, and Karen
> >Kijewski have all eliminated the lover/husband/significant other of the
> >series heroine and it's depressing. Patrons have commented that they
> >feel betrayed by the author when she does that. Has anyone else --
> >librarian or mystery reader -- noticed this trend?
> >
> >Meg Sarff
> >Public Services Manager/WebGoddess
> >Davenport Public Library
> >321 Main Street
> >Davenport IA 52801-1490
> >319-328-6848
> >
> >
> >
>
FROM: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@nslsilus.ORG>
REC'D: 12/20/99, 11:21 AM
Hi,
I've always called this trend the Captain Kirk curse. Any woman he fell
in love with was usually killed while he looked on helplessly.
Charlaine Harris just killed off her characters husband. Perhaps, the
authors forget that the majority of readers like the happily ever after
dream.
FROM: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@nslsilus.ORG>
REC'D: 12/20/99, 11:21 AM
Hi,
I've always called this trend the Captain Kirk curse. Any woman he fell
in love with was usually killed while he looked on helplessly.
Charlaine Harris just killed off her characters husband. Perhaps, the
authors forget that the majority of readers like the happily ever after
dream.
FROM: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@nslsilus.ORG>
REC'D: 12/20/99, 11:23 AM
Alicia C. Graybill
[removed]@inetnebr.com
Volunteer Web Site Coordinator
Capital Humane Society of Lincoln, Nebraska
<A HREF="http://chs.inetnebr.com">http://chs.inetnebr.com</A>
[removed]@juno.com
Ringmaster, Humane Society and Animal Welfare Ring
<A HREF="http://hsawring.htmlplanet.com">http://hsawring.htmlplanet.com</A>
Proud Dog-Mom of U-AGI U-CD Eatinrock's Timberline CGC
All-American Pet Therapy Dog
Founder of IN-Style, Musical Freestyle in Iowa, Nebraska and Beyond
<A HREF="http://www.angelfire.com/ne/INStyle/">http://www.angelfire.com/ne/INStyle/</A>
FROM: "Fiction_L" <[removed]@nslsilus.ORG>
REC'D: 12/20/99, 11:23 AM
Alicia C. Graybill
[removed]@inetnebr.com
Volunteer Web Site Coordinator
Capital Humane Society of Lincoln, Nebraska
<A HREF="http://chs.inetnebr.com">http://chs.inetnebr.com</A>
[removed]@juno.com
Ringmaster, Humane Society and Animal Welfare Ring
<A HREF="http://hsawring.htmlplanet.com">http://hsawring.htmlplanet.com</A>
Proud Dog-Mom of U-AGI U-CD Eatinrock's Timberline CGC
All-American Pet Therapy Dog
Founder of IN-Style, Musical Freestyle in Iowa, Nebraska and Beyond
<A HREF="http://www.angelfire.com/ne/INStyle/">http://www.angelfire.com/ne/INStyle/</A>
FROM: <[removed]@DAYTON.LIB.OH.US>
REC'D: 12/20/99, 9:29 PM
I sometimes think an author can't think of more plots with the person so they
kill them off. As bad as I feel as a reader, I know if I ever wrote a book
I could never kill off one of the main characters. I think I would need
therapy.
Had to give my thoughts on this one.
Jan
Mon, 20 Dec 1999, Jane Jorgenson wrote:
>
>> I've noticed this too. I've wondered if these authors got together and
>> decided the trend this year would be to get rid of those pesky partners. I
>> was very upset that Kijewski got rid of the partner between books. Many
>> authors cite the need for dramatic tension, telling us that the
>> relationship becomes boring if it lasts for too many books. But authors
>> like Jan Burke have proved this isn't so.
>>
>> Just some thoughts,
>> Jane
>>
>> At 02:33 PM 12/17/99 -0600, you wrote:
>> >Hi. I'm newly returned to the list after a 3-year absence, so don't
>> >know if this has been addressed before but I've noticed a lot of female
>> >mystery writers are killing off/dumping the significant other of the
>> >heroine in series books. Most of the librarians here read mysteries as
>> >I do and both they and patrons are commenting on the fact that this
>> >seems to be a trend, and an undesirable one at that. Writers like
>> >Patricia Cornwell, Dana Stabenow, Sue Henry, Martha C. Lawrence, Susan
>> >Dunlap, Charlaine Harris, Rebecca Rothenberg, Laura Crum, and Karen
>> >Kijewski have all eliminated the lover/husband/significant other of the
>> >series heroine and it's depressing. Patrons have commented that they
>> >feel betrayed by the author when she does that. Has anyone else --
>> >librarian or mystery reader -- noticed this trend?
>> >
>> >Meg Sarff
>> >Public Services Manager/WebGoddess
>> >Davenport Public Library
>> >321 Main Street
>> >Davenport IA 52801-1490
>> >319-328-6848
>> >
>> >
>> >
>>
>
Janet Nottingham, Branch [removed]@dayton.lib.oh.us
Miami Twp. Branch (opening June, 2000) 937-227-9567
Dayton & Montgomery County Public Library
FROM: <[removed]@ci.mesa.az.us>
REC'D: 12/21/99, 2:25 PM
FROM: "Jeanne Linn" <[removed]@libby.org>
REC'D: 12/21/99, 3:11 PM
P.S. I haven't read the last book either so don't know what direction her
love life has gone if any.
-----Original Message-----
From: [removed]@ci.mesa.az.us <[removed]@ci.mesa.az.us>
To: [removed]@maillist.nslsilus.org <[removed]@maillist.nslsilus.org>
Date: Tuesday, December 21, 1999 2:07 PM
Subject: re: dead boyfriend syndrome
>
>
>
>I see this as a reflection of relationship longevity in the real world as
>much as a device to relieve author boredom or the need for creative
>tension. Talk about fiction reflecting what's going on in the culture at
>large. As much as we would like to have relationships last forever, how
>often does it happen? More to the point, readers who have lost someone
>need characters to relate to, survivors who move on in their lives. Just my
>opinion.
>Andrea Greenslade
>Fiction Specialist
>East Mesa Public Library, Mesa, AZ
>
>
>
FROM: "Cynthia Orr" <[removed]@cpl.org>
REC'D: 12/21/99, 3:43 PM
Tommy's Guidelines for a Good Book:
Are there good guys and bad guys? (The answer must be yes.)
Is there a lot of adventure? (The answer must be yes.)
Does it have a happy ending? (The answer must be yes.)
Do any of the good guys get killed? (The answer must be no.)
I guess maybe we're all a bit like that, huh? <g>
Of course, now that he's almost 11 and a bit cynical, he has realized that
there are other cliches that often happen that he doesn't necessarily agree
with--like the fact that the best friend often dies--as well as the hero or
heroine's transitory love interest!
--
**********************************************************************
Cynthia Orr Email: [removed]@cpl.org
Branch Collection Manager Phone: 216-623-2822
Cleveland Public Library Fax: 216-623-2920
17133 Lake Shore Blvd.
Cleveland, OH 44110 <A HREF="http://www.cpl.org">http://www.cpl.org</A>
**********************************************************************
FROM: "Ridgefield Library Fiction Room" <[removed]@biblio.org>
REC'D: 12/21/99, 5:08 PM
Mary Rindfleisch
Adult Services/Reader's Advisory Librarian
Ridgefield Library
Ridgefield, CT
[removed]@biblio.org
FROM: "Karen A.K. Keller" <[removed]@tln.lib.mi.us>
REC'D: 12/22/99, 8:51 AM
> Marcia Muller, Jan Burke). They have all pretty much eliminated the romance
> element in favor of marrying their heroines off (or the functional
> equivalent). While this settling down makes for an opportunity to muse on
> long-term human relationships, I find this tactic takes some of the surprise
> and anticipation out of it. I really would rather read eagerly to find out
> whether girl gets boy than to listen to the heroine having a mid-life
> crisis. I guess the authors feel that these women characters must suddenly
>
Do those of you who read mystery feel this way about male characters, too?
Karen Keller
Brighton (MI) District Library
FROM: "Deb Warner" <[removed]@co.durham.nc.us>
REC'D: 12/22/99, 10:22 AM
FROM: <[removed]@ci.mesa.az.us>
REC'D: 12/22/99, 11:03 AM
FROM: "Carol Elmore" <[removed]@westga.edu>
REC'D: 12/22/99, 1:11 PM
On Wed, 22 Dec 1999 [removed]@ci.mesa.az.us wrote:
>
>
>
> I see this as a reflection of relationship longevity in the real world as
> much as a device to relieve author boredom or the need for creative
> tension. Talk about fiction reflecting what's going on in the culture at
> large. As much as we would like to have relationships last forever, how
> often does it happen? More to the point, readers who have lost someone
> need characters to relate to, survivors who move on in their lives. Just my
> opinion.
> Andrea Greenslade
> Fiction Specialist
> East Mesa Public Library, Mesa, AZ
>
>
>
>
FROM: "Donna Jo Atwood" <[removed]@JCL.LIB.KS.US>
REC'D: 12/23/99, 12:17 PM
As an original ostrich, may I just say that some of us readers prefer,
when disaster strikes, to have our reading lives stay in its own little rut.
There can be something comforting in the fact that something has remained
the same. (I reread a ton of Georgette Heyer when my husband was ill.)
Like Andrea, though, this is my only personal bias. If we could only get
us stick-in-the-muds to read the same authors, and convinces those authors
to leave everything the same...Never mind!
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [removed]@maillist.nslsilus.org
> [<A HREF="mailto:owner-fiction_l@maillist.nslsilus.org]On">mailto:owner-fiction_l@maillist.nslsilus.org]On</A> Behalf Of
> [removed]@ci.mesa.az.us
> Sent: Wednesday, December 22, 1999 11:05 AM
> To: [removed]@maillist.nslsilus.org
> Subject: re: Dead boyfriend syndrome
>
>
>
>
>
> I see this as a reflection of relationship longevity in the real world as
> much as a device to relieve author boredom or the need for creative
> tension. Talk about fiction reflecting what's going on in the culture at
> large. As much as we would like to have relationships last forever, how
> often does it happen? More to the point, readers who have lost someone
> need characters to relate to, survivors who move on in their
> lives. Just my
> opinion.
> Andrea Greenslade
> Fiction Specialist
> East Mesa Public Library, Mesa, AZ
>
>
>
FROM: "ROBIN BEERBOWER" <[removed]@OPENGOVT.OPEN.ORG>
REC'D: 12/31/99, 10:23 AM
>I can assure you that Frank is not
only alive and well, the next book is told in third person, primarily
from
his point of view. Irene is in the book, but more in the way that
he's in
the previous books.
No plans to kill him off or for the two of them to split up. I have
too
much fun with them just as they are.
Yours,
Jan>
Have a safe, prosperous, and healthy New Year everyone!
Robin Beerbower
Salem (OR) Public Library
[removed]@open.org
Return to December 1999 thread menu | Fiction_L Archives Menu
|
The Webrary® and Fiction_L are services of the Morton Grove Public Library
"Webrary" is a registered trademark of the Morton Grove Public Library. All rights reserved.
|