MILF fantasies and mental health

[Nym182]

Read the book. The author's justification for Adam's feelings toward his mother was that she was injected with a longevity serum to keep her youthful enough to raise Adam who is supposedly long-lived as well. The serum had the side effect that it gave off an essence which Adam, as a mutant, was extremely attracted to, hence his feelings toward his mother. It may have affected his mental health as well such that it caused him to kidnap Terry, who was a dead ringer for his mother.

I get what you are saying, I just think it was a weak part in the book and doesn't make their feelings for each other any less creepy. They could have easily substituted the incest for a deep telepathic connection (similar to twins) or have Adam be very intuitive about Jo and achieve the same goal.

[Nym182]

I was so put-off by this in the beginning - of course, it came to make sense. I don't think it was totally necessary, but it added to the storyline and draws in the reader. I actually almost wanted to stop reading because it made me so uncomfortable, but glad I powered through.

I felt the same way! Although, I still think the serum excuse was weak.

[Nym182]

Perhaps if Adam wasn't so disrespectful and moody, I could maybe see why he would act as he does. The impression I get though is that he is spoiled, dangerous and perhaps not redeemable.

I think he became irredeemable as soon as he kidnapped Terry... The incest angle cemented my feelings.

[Nym182]

If it wasn't for the explanation later on that he only had these thoughts about his mother because of the serum in her blood, I would say that it would have been all for shock value. When I read through that piece before knowing about the serum, I thought it was overdone a bit. The recovery makes sense, but it is questionable.

See, I thought the serum excuse was weak at best... I think the author wanted to add something "spicy" to the book and had to justify it... ergo the serum... doesn't make it any less creepy in my opinion!

[Nym182]

So, ultimately, just a shock-value-only, unnecessary cheap trick.

My feelings exactly.

Ditto!

[Nym182]

I haven’t read the book, but I recognize an Oedipus Complex when I see one Without knowing more, it’s hard to guess for sure, but I suspect shock value might have played a role. My interest is definitely piqued!

That's what I felt (it gets "explained" but weakly in my opinion) Did you end up reading the book at all?

[Nym182]

According to me, it doesn't add to the plot...just a 'filler', as I like to call them.

I agree! But I guess it got us all talking about it haha

[Nym182]

I found it quite off-putting too. I think it was the result of the well-known writer's advice: hook your readers with the first 10 pages. But I think she messed it up because it didn't hook me at all, quite the contrary.

I did not get that far myself but had I done so, I would also have been put off. Interesting though what this says about the readers. We were probably not among the target readers this time. Quite understandable considering the long long time since I've been a "young adult".

I bet you are a young adult at heart! (And that's the most important part haha)

[Karen Crumley]

I believe that the Oedipus complex is utilized to clue us in to the depth of Adam's mental instability. Likewise, his narcissism, and viewing other people as animals.

[Howlan]

I found it to be a huge part of the story. It was one of the big questions that needed an answer. I feel that the author's taking it almost to the extreme was more for shock value. But, for the most part, his obsession over his mother caused the most significant points in his darkness. It was integral to the overall story.

I do agree that it does have some value to the story, but I would think that the Terry Thing would have relayed his darkness enough... But it's also supposed to illustrate the connection between Adam and Jo... However, they could have achieved the same thing by making him intuitive to her or having some kind of telepathic connection with her... I think the main purpose was for shock value and I really didn't like the serum angle... fell flat for me.

Yeah the Terry thing might have caused some damage sure, but there needed to be a point from which to base on his behaviour. The author could not display him as a serial rapist and point him as being one of the good guys.

[Howlan]

I’m in two minds about it. It’s not a trait I can remember reading in a character before so at least it’s interesting. I haven’t finished the book yet but I suspect I will remember the character of Adam for a while. For me, that’s always a big tick for a book.

But it does make him extremely unlikeable and it makes the book more challenging to read. I’m not hating the book at the moment and yet I’m not sure I’m exactly enjoying it either.

I’m at a point where I still want to find out more about Adam. So, it hasn’t stop me reading the book.

You make a really interesting point! I think I will also remember Adam for awhile... just not for the best reasons haha

Yes, it would be one of the most rare YA novels I have ever read.

[Howlan]

I do not think that this was integral to the story, nor an interesting plot twist. I did appreciate that the reader was given a reason for it and able to empathize with Adam once we better understood his blood. However, this strand of the story is one of the reasons I would argue against most young adults reading the story. If it had been handled in a more muted way, it might be ok for a more general audience, but the author's style is to be graphic and shocking, ergo inappropriate for most YA readers.
While it does help to explain the strained father/son relationship and intense mother/son relationship, it really doesn't build the story.

I agree with you wholeheartedly! They could have shown the connection the serum created between Jo and Adam in a less creepy way, such as giving them a telepathic connection (like twins) or making Adam extremely intuitive to her... And I thought the serum excuse did not excuse or take away the creepy factor by any means!

Yes, the serum was definitely a bad excuse. They could have done something better in the lines of changing the character of Jo Ann.

[Howlan]

Read the book. The author's justification for Adam's feelings toward his mother was that she was injected with a longevity serum to keep her youthful enough to raise Adam who is supposedly long-lived as well. The serum had the side effect that it gave off an essence which Adam, as a mutant, was extremely attracted to, hence his feelings toward his mother. It may have affected his mental health as well such that it caused him to kidnap Terry, who was a dead ringer for his mother.

I get what you are saying, I just think it was a weak part in the book and doesn't make their feelings for each other any less creepy. They could have easily substituted the incest for a deep telepathic connection (similar to twins) or have Adam be very intuitive about Jo and achieve the same goal.

Yes, that would have been possible that would not give him any motive to kidnap Terry.

[Howlan]

Perhaps if Adam wasn't so disrespectful and moody, I could maybe see why he would act as he does. The impression I get though is that he is spoiled, dangerous and perhaps not redeemable.

I think he became irredeemable as soon as he kidnapped Terry... The incest angle cemented my feelings.

Yeah Terry was totally I had a very little fascination with this character. Mood swings are okay, Incest well needs a good reason but kidnapping and putting her in your sex cave? Not good at all.

[Howlan]

If it wasn't for the explanation later on that he only had these thoughts about his mother because of the serum in her blood, I would say that it would have been all for shock value. When I read through that piece before knowing about the serum, I thought it was overdone a bit. The recovery makes sense, but it is questionable.

See, I thought the serum excuse was weak at best... I think the author wanted to add something "spicy" to the book and had to justify it... ergo the serum... doesn't make it any less creepy in my opinion!

He could have spiced up Adam feeling lonely at home or not being totally accepted at home or even abused. Same problem his dad is facing to give a reason. Not a YA though!