Author Louise Allen, whose books were mentioned in the Guardian article about the relative oppressive qualities of Mills & Boon, has written a a rebuttal of her own in the Guardian today,.
Ms. Allen, should we ever meet, I shall treat you to a frosty beverage, because your comments as follows made me grin like I just got free chocolate:
Bindel says: “I do not believe in blaming women for our own oppression. Women are the only oppressed group required not only to submit to our oppressors, but to love and sexually desire them at the same time.” So, as a feminist, she believes that while reading or writing these “novels that perpetuate gender stereotypes” we cannot even take responsibility for our own actions.
Sorry, Ms Bindel, but among the freedoms I insist upon as a woman is the right to my own fantasies. I do not read fiction I find distasteful, and I don’t write it either. How about updating your research for 2008 by reading another 20 Mills & Boon novels? Modern ones.
Thanks to Michelle Styles for the link!
Word, Ms Allen.
When it comes to M&B I *love* the 1970s ones with their steely-gazed, deeply-tanned, silk-shirt-and-slacks-wearing heroes and their euphemistic titles (anyone for a Dark Encounter or a Savage Possession?)
I defend anyone’s right to read the modern range but ugh those titles! The Kazakhstani Billionaire Cowboy’s Virgin Tycoon Bride’s Secret Baby? WTF?????
Shotdown!
I’m so pleased someone responded and pointed out that the person’s information was terribly out of date.
Great response. Also, the fabulous Laura V appears in the comments below the article—it’s worth reading for her comments alone.
I agree, frosty beverages for Ms. Allen. And a crisp, refreshing boot up the @$$ for Ms. Bindel.
I’de like to offer a frosty beverage to Ms Allen, as well. Ever since I read the article, that whole part where she says, “I do not believe in blaming women for our own oppression…”, I’ve been thinking how much it irked me. I mean, really, really, irked me. So I was glad to see that Ms. Allen stepped up and said something about it.
Thanks Ms. Allen. You rock!
ps. I hope I used my commas in the right place. I’ve been having comma problems recently…
Did you see Laura V’s link to Ms. Brindel’s apologia for novels about serial killers? That kind of fantasy is ok according to her.
Hmm, would I rather meet the man of my dreams or a serial killer? Decisions, decisions. . .
Just a quick note to let y’all know that I’ve posted the full text of Bindel’s article over at Teach Me Tonight, & we’re going through it paragraph by paragraph, just to make sure we understand what she’s trying to say. Lots of comments, lots of debate; even Jesus makes an appearance, albeit somewhat out of character. Swing by and take a look: http://teachmetonight.blogspot.com/2007/12/bindel-piece-by-piece.html
Jackie L, where’s Laura V’s link? (or you could just post the link here, perhaps?) I’d love to read that one.
Mr Selinger, I’m on my way—love TMT!