MILF fantasies and mental health

Howlan · Post by **Howlan** » 22 Feb 2020, 09:32

Nym182 wrote: ↑21 Feb 2020, 16:56
Daniel Muky wrote: ↑03 Feb 2020, 17:37 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

Yes not ideal but nevertheless a great conversation starter!

Howlan · Post by **Howlan** » 22 Feb 2020, 09:33

KCWolf wrote: ↑21 Feb 2020, 23:29 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.

Yes, that is a good point. His character at the beginning was definitely weird enough.

snr326 · Post by **snr326** » 22 Feb 2020, 10:58

I feel like this element was included with the author knowing it would be polarizing, because like you said, it did bother you and you found it off-putting, but others aren't as phased by this aspect. At the very least, these fantasies do get people talking more about the book so it's beneficial for the author regardless.

Ketbax · Post by **Ketbax** » 22 Feb 2020, 11:12

I found myself cringing every time the author brought up Adam's attraction to his mother. I was a but more open to it once the incident with Terry happened because I thought the novel might start focusing on mental health. After reading more, I agree with nearly everyone else that this attraction could have been presented in a different way and still furthered the plot. I agree that the over-sexualization of Jo was more for shock factor than anything else.

Wacamato1961 · Post by **Wacamato1961** » 22 Feb 2020, 16:13

Adam's attraction to his mother was very shocking to me, and it seemed he was a bit deviant. How was this so easily overcome? Later finding out (spoiler) that his mom reciprocated the lust was disgusting, since he was her son after all, even if adopted.
I assume the relevance will be brought out as the story progresses considering Alexandra is considered to be still alive.
I'm not interested in continuing this series. Some parts seem too dark for teens, and some too immature for adults.

Howlan · Post by **Howlan** » 23 Feb 2020, 00:40

snr326 wrote: ↑22 Feb 2020, 10:58 I feel like this element was included with the author knowing it would be polarizing, because like you said, it did bother you and you found it off-putting, but others aren't as phased by this aspect. At the very least, these fantasies do get people talking more about the book so it's beneficial for the author regardless.

Yes, it is definitely a better for the author. The more controversy your book creates the better sale it will have.

Laura Lee · Post by **Laura Lee** » 23 Feb 2020, 02:44

Wacamato1961 wrote: ↑22 Feb 2020, 16:13 Adam's attraction to his mother was very shocking to me, and it seemed he was a bit deviant. How was this so easily overcome? Later finding out (spoiler) that his mom reciprocated the lust was disgusting, since he was her son after all, even if adopted.
I assume the relevance will be brought out as the story progresses considering Alexandra is considered to be still alive.
I'm not interested in continuing this series. Some parts seem too dark for teens, and some too immature for adults.

Thank you, Wacamato. You encapsulated my feelings exactly. While it benefits the author to the extent that it gets people talking about it, ultimately, (in my opinion) the inclusion of material so inappropriate for a YA novel would seem only to hurt the novel/series. Like you, I've no interest in reading any further. I don't like Adam and that, right there, is the biggest turn off for me. If I am going to spend time with a character, I want to be able to like it.

AvidBibliophile · Post by **AvidBibliophile** » 23 Feb 2020, 15:15

LV2R wrote: ↑02 Feb 2020, 00:26 I think this was part of Adam not understanding who he was and why he would be attracted to his mom. This added to the readers' first impression of Adam as being a dark, moody, and a possibly evil guy, though he fought his feelings. I was glad when Adam found out who his mom was and why he had been attracted to her.

It was definitely the type of first impression that left an unforgettable impact! We did at least get to see the inner turmoil he struggled with as a result of these abnormal predilections and desires. I was also glad when the story progressed to the point of providing the readers with an answer to this taboo taste of his.

gilliansisley · Post by **gilliansisley** » 23 Feb 2020, 20:29

Ever_Reading wrote: ↑02 Feb 2020, 01:55 I'm finding it rather strange and can't possibly figure out why it's important to the plot. I am not yet done with the book, so maybe my view on it will change. But for now, I remain skeptical for sure.

Not sure if you finished the book yet, but ultimately it's not important to the plot, period. There were other ways, like a simple over protection of his mother, that could have foreshadowed the reason his feelings are heightened for her. It really, really didn't need to be sexual. There was no valid reason. It was only creepy.

gilliansisley · Post by **gilliansisley** » 23 Feb 2020, 20:31

lwahls2 wrote: ↑02 Feb 2020, 08:37 In my opinion it doesn’t necessarily add to the plot but more of a character development tool for Adam. It was slightly distracting as well and could have been left out or presented in a different way.

I entirely agree. It added nothing to the plot, apart from making the reader feel wildly uncomfortable. Adam could have just been really close to her or over protective, the sexual aspect of it was NOT necessary.

gilliansisley · Post by **gilliansisley** » 23 Feb 2020, 20:32

mariana90 wrote: ↑02 Feb 2020, 15:04 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.

Agreed. It left me with an icky feeling, which only got worse after the death of that girl. I just had gross feelings reading the rest of the book, and hated Adam as a character. I never felt he redeemed himself.

gilliansisley · Post by **gilliansisley** » 23 Feb 2020, 20:34

shannonkate8 wrote: ↑02 Feb 2020, 16:03
What are your thoughts on Adam's fantasies of his mother and jealousy of his father?
There's a psychological theory behind this called the Oedipus Complex. The idea is that in childhood, kids get attached to the parent of the opposite sex and find the parent of the same sex to be a "rival" of sorts. Now, this was initially produced by Freud who is, at this point, generally ignored because his theories were so sexually based.
The point of bringing this up is because your above question reminded me of it. I'm curious is the author is aware of the complex and tried to work it in the book. I'm also not a dude, so I can't attest to this, but perhaps it happens more often than we realize and the author decided to draw attention to it rather than avoid it?
Either way, it is definitely uncomfortable for me to read. The other comments I'm reading seem to feel this way too.

Oh, hell yeah. Wildly uncomfortable. And there was really, truly no point to it. The author ties it back to have a sort of purpose, but it was pretty weak. I think it was used for shock value, but it really made me feel gross about the entire book

gilliansisley · Post by **gilliansisley** » 23 Feb 2020, 20:35

Laura Lee wrote: ↑02 Feb 2020, 16:51
LV2R wrote: ↑02 Feb 2020, 00:26 I think this was part of Adam not understanding who he was and why he would be attracted to his mom. This added to the readers' first impression of Adam as being a dark, moody, and a possibly evil guy, though he fought his feelings. I was glad when Adam found out who his mom was and why he had been attracted to her.
I agree that it definitely added to the impression of Adam as dark and moody; possibly, even, in a mentally questionable state. I'm just not sure it was actually necessary to the plot. It seems there were plenty of other ways to get that across. Not my cup of tea!

Fully agreed!! Could have been plenty of other ways to foreshadow his mother's special role in this whole mystical world, but a sexual attraction to her was in no way necessary to the plot.

Nym182 · Post by **Nym182** » 24 Feb 2020, 11:24

snr326 wrote: ↑22 Feb 2020, 10:58 I feel like this element was included with the author knowing it would be polarizing, because like you said, it did bother you and you found it off-putting, but others aren't as phased by this aspect. At the very least, these fantasies do get people talking more about the book so it's beneficial for the author regardless.

That's a valid point, I just don't think such a move should have been pulled in a book aimed at a YA audience.

Nym182 · Post by **Nym182** » 24 Feb 2020, 11:26

Ketbax wrote: ↑22 Feb 2020, 11:12 I found myself cringing every time the author brought up Adam's attraction to his mother. I was a but more open to it once the incident with Terry happened because I thought the novel might start focusing on mental health. After reading more, I agree with nearly everyone else that this attraction could have been presented in a different way and still furthered the plot. I agree that the over-sexualization of Jo was more for shock factor than anything else.

How did you feel about the serum excuse for Adam's attraction for his mom? Personally, I found it quite weak and did nothing to make me feel like that whole thing was more acceptable.