RANT: Enough Already! (or, I Must Be An Immature Reader)

I'll keep this rant short, but my irritation has been building up again and I have to make another statement. Long-time readers of this blog might remember a similiar rant from me back in April. You can find that one here.

The final comment that prompted me to speak up again can be found in the comments section of Pat's review of the latest Weiss & Hickman book. This time I am not attacking Pat's review (though it does bug that Pat continues to use lines like this in reviews: "The narrative appears to be aimed at a more adolescent crowd"..my problem with that line is that for him this is ALWAYS a negative comment. But before I get sidetracked, back to my rant). It was the following comment that got me upset again:

From Paul D:

[pat]The narrative appears to be aimed at a more adolescent crowd, and the dialogues are a bit trite.[pat]

Pat, this is true of every novel they've ever written. I suspect the difference is that you're now mature, while you were probably an adolescent when you read Weis and Hickman the first time. Try to read the dialogue between Flint and Tas and not flinch.

It is very likely that I am reading too much into his comment. However, with the recent YA talk around the blogs and forums, there have been quite a few statements made with a similiar theme. I don't have a problem with his thoughts on the Flint/Tas dialogue..thats his opinion and I'm fine with it (though i disagree). The problem I have with the comment is he implies that being "mature" is why Pat probably doesnt like Weiss & Hickman anymore (with the further implication that Pat must have only ejoyed there early works due to his younger age at the time). Paul, sorry if I am reading more into your statement that you meant...I am mostly using it to illustrate a common recurring opinion i see quite often.

I'm not debating the issue of Weiss & Hickman's quality of writing the last few years. What I have a problem with is the continued accusations from many that books written in a simpler tone, that aren't dark, or lack a convoluted or complicated plot, are crap that only adolescents (hence less mature) readers would like. Again, I covered most of this topic in my earlier rant, so i just need to get one thing off my chest again;

JUST BECAUSE A BOOK IS WRITTEN FOR A PG-13 (OR LESS) AUDIENCE DOESN'T MAKE IT FLUFFY CRAP! THOSE WHO LIKE THOSE KIND OF BOOKS ARE NOT LESS MATURE READERS THAN THOSE WHO LIKE THE GRITTY STUFF. READING BOOKS FOR PURE ENTERTAINMENT ALSO DOESN'T MAKE THAT READER LESS MATURE.

There, I said it. Again. There is nothing wrong with those of you who like the dark, gritty, complicated stuff. But, that does not imply a greater "reading maturity" than those who like Brooks or Eddings, or some YA books. Everyone has their unique tastes and reasons for reading. Some like to be challenged, others like to be mindlessly entertained. Nothing wrong with either camp. Just don't try to bring "maturity" into it. It makes you sound smug and elitist.

(And for the record, a have a leg in both camps. I do like reading some of the grittier stuff like Abercrombie and Ruckley, but I also enjoy (more often) the more traditional, standard stuff).