Shit, that's difficult; anything could be triggering, depending on the person.
And then there's the whole thing that happens in recovery communities and freedom movements where someone somewhere is always going to have a problem with something, and how since this is a non-hierarchical thing, we must hear all voices -no matter how irrational or saying things demonstrably untrue- which kind of leads to the people who scream the loudest always setting the agenda. I sympathize, sort of.
What commenters here and Scott Westerfeld don't seem to appreciate is that this isn't just a list for nostalgic adults, it could be read by teen girls with lived experience of rape and abuse, and Bitch is right to re-consider certain books in that light. If a book victim-blames, that is so egregious that it's only responsible to remove it. And the feelings of people for whom this is actual lived experience should always be prioritised above those for whom it is merely theoretical, so it doesn't bother me that there was no open debate.
It is a shame not to see A Tree Grows in Brooklyn on the list, though. That's truly an inspiring and empowering read.
Looking through the commnets, I saw a few more authors of books on this list asking to be removed due to Bitch's caving and self-censorship.
I feel that removing books from a list like this because of a vocal minority does a disservice to everyone involved. It acts like they don't believe that young feminists aren't smart enough to read things that are 'not good' and figure out for themselves that some things aren't good.
And then there's the whole thing that happens in recovery communities and freedom movements where someone somewhere is always going to have a problem with something, and how since this is a non-hierarchical thing, we must hear all voices -no matter how irrational or saying things demonstrably untrue- which kind of leads to the people who scream the loudest always setting the agenda. I sympathize, sort of.
It is a shame not to see A Tree Grows in Brooklyn on the list, though. That's truly an inspiring and empowering read.
I feel that removing books from a list like this because of a vocal minority does a disservice to everyone involved. It acts like they don't believe that young feminists aren't smart enough to read things that are 'not good' and figure out for themselves that some things aren't good.
http://clarkesworldmagazine.com/lanagan_in…
I'd like to read Tender Morsels as well, see what all the fuss is about.
"He pinned her to the bed and HUGGED HER."
much better than
"He pinned her to the bed and WHITEWASHED HER."
which is also horrifying.