I
will readily admit I’m not a big swearer. Maybe a “heck” or a “darn” if I
chopped off my finger (or I’m in labor). But I must be alone in this because
the amount of swearing I’m coming across in YA books is leaving me a little
baffled.
And
these aren’t babies these are monster swear words. Eff this and eff that and
effing effity eff! I hate it! Reading a fantastic book and getting hit in the
face with the F- word is like eating a luscious piece of chocolate cake and
breaking my tooth on a rock five bites in.
One
of the things I hate most about it, is that dropping the F-bomb IMMEDIATELY jolts
me out of POV—Every. Single. Time. I’m
not saying that the people who write these books aren’t good authors. In fact
most of the time they are fabulous authors, that's why the vulgarity is so
ugly. It stands out in sharp contrast to the beautiful writing.
You
can tell me “It’s realistic” or “It’s in character” or “It’s appropriate when
you’re mad” or any of the other reasons I hear. But I’m sorry I just don’t care
about those reasons. I read PLEANTY of stuff that is realistic, in character,
where they have every reason to swear and DON’T.
I just need to throw in a tiny experience. I got a book from the library that people were RAVING about, and what do I find? Swearing. LOTS of swearing. But someone before me had inked out all the swear words. The pages looked like a dalmatian dog. And do you know what? I didn't miss one single thing. I got the plot. I got the characterization. I got the emotion. And I just kept thinking, "Why all the swearing?"
Have
I read books with questionable language? Of course. Are some of them good—even great?
Of course. But they will never be my favorites. Sorry.
Now,
you can judge me. That’s okay. I don’t mind. I’m feeling feisty today :)
-Angie
