An interesting perspective. I agree with Olivia that we should not decry an individual’s choice of reading matter on the grounds that we don’t consider it to constitute good literature. However there is a difference between personal attacks on people’s choices and expressing our honest opinion of a work’s merits. If a reviewer doesn’t like a particular book they are honour bound to express their honest opinion as to what they consider to be it’s flaws. The honest expression of an opinion by a reviewer should not be construed in the same manner as a personal attack on the reading habits of a given reader. Kevin
Stop Shaming Guilty-Pleasure Reads
Blogger and Self-Described Book Nerd Olivia Lanaras on Labeling Books and Shaming Readers
For every one article written about the love of a guilty pleasure book like 50 Shades of Grey or Twilight, there are two that slam and shame it.
“The writing is just not up to par, the characters are unbelievable, and the sex verges on the comical.”
“Think of it as the “Downton Abbey” of bondage, designed neither to menace nor to offend but purely to cosset the fatigued imagination.”
“Fifty shades of bad writing”
Without a doubt, the authors behind these works are not the second coming of Jane Austen. I have tried reading them and just couldn’t do it. In fact, most of the lines are absolutely cringe-worthy. However, labeling these works as invalid or unworthy of being considered works of literature is not only…
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