Thanks for the link. I have not read TAMPA but part of the discussion reminds of TAMING THE BEAST by Emily Maguire. TAING is about the sexual relationship between a male teacher and his female student and the woman's many resulting emotional and behavioral problems.
The weird thing was that reviewers and commenters of TAMING would say how sexy the book is. No, it isn't sexy, it's rape and sexual dysfunction resulting from rape. I even asked Maguire about it http://youtu.be/mH2_axKCyKQ (Four years ago?!).
These sorts of stories creep me out. Having had a eighth grade teacher who asked me to sit on his lap from time to time, I don't care to go any closer. Ugh. Any inequality in age or power is sexual assault in my book.
I haven't read Tampa (and not sure I will), but I think that by making the main character an obvious psychopath, the author has taken the "easy" way out; after all, there's not much need to explore consequences, nuances, impulses, etc., if everything the woman does is simply "psycho-crazy." Also, I really find it distasteful that pedophilia is being presented with "hot" sex scenes. Blech! Would there be so much "approving" discussion of the sex scenes if the book concerned a male teacher and his 14-year-old female students?
This is an exciting piece. I've read through it twice and I'm about to read it again. I think it goes a long way toward explaining why I'm drawn to noir as a feminist -- not IN SPITE of the fact, but because of it. This is brilliant.
Patricia Abbott is the author of more than 125 stories that have appeared online, in print journals and in various anthologies. She is the author of two print novels CONCRETE ANGEL (2015) and SHOT IN DETROIT (2016)(Polis Books). CONCRETE ANGEL was nominated for an Anthony and Macavity Award in 2016. SHOT IN DETROIT was nominated for an Edgar Award and an Anthony Award in 2017. A collection of her stories I BRING SORROW AND OTHER STORIES OF TRANSGRESSION will appear in 2018.
She also authored two ebooks, MONKEY JUSTICE and HOME INVASION and co-edited DISCOUNT NOIR. She won a Derringer award for her story "My Hero." She lives outside Detroit.
Patricia (Patti) Abbott
SHOT IN DETROIT
Edgar Nominee 2017, Anthony nominee 2017
CONCRETE ANGEL
Polis Books, 2015-nominated for the Anthony and Macavity Awards
8 comments:
Thanks for sharing this, Patti!
Loved Megan's article! Megan's right about James M. Cain's work exploring the themes in TAMPA.
Thanks for the link. I have not read TAMPA but part of the discussion reminds of TAMING THE BEAST by Emily Maguire. TAING is about the sexual relationship between a male teacher and his female student and the woman's many resulting emotional and behavioral problems.
The weird thing was that reviewers and commenters of TAMING would say how sexy the book is. No, it isn't sexy, it's rape and sexual dysfunction resulting from rape. I even asked Maguire about it http://youtu.be/mH2_axKCyKQ (Four years ago?!).
These sorts of stories creep me out. Having had a eighth grade teacher who asked me to sit on his lap from time to time, I don't care to go any closer. Ugh. Any inequality in age or power is sexual assault in my book.
I haven't read Tampa (and not sure I will), but I think that by making the main character an obvious psychopath, the author has taken the "easy" way out; after all, there's not much need to explore consequences, nuances, impulses, etc., if everything the woman does is simply "psycho-crazy." Also, I really find it distasteful that pedophilia is being presented with "hot" sex scenes. Blech! Would there be so much "approving" discussion of the sex scenes if the book concerned a male teacher and his 14-year-old female students?
Deb
A pedophile is any adult person who knowingly has sex with a minor to me. Male or female.
This is an exciting piece. I've read through it twice and I'm about to read it again. I think it goes a long way toward explaining why I'm drawn to noir as a feminist -- not IN SPITE of the fact, but because of it. This is brilliant.
It really makes me want to read MIAMI P URITY again.
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