My Thoughts on a Controversial Scene in League of Strays
I have decided after much thought, to post my thoughts on a scene in my book, League of Strays, that has been depicted numerous times as “gay bashing” by a select and vocal group of bloggers. Before I begin, this post is for two kinds of people: those who are trying to decide whether or not to read the book, and those who are authentically curious about the controversy. Please understand that I am offering this as an explanation, not as a way to belittle the bloggers who have disliked my book for any reason whatsoever. Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion. Many of you have written to ask me about it, and you deserve a response.
The one thing I never expected as an author was the passionate reaction to a specific scene where League members form a plan to humiliate Dave, who has tormented a League member, Richie, merely for being gay for several years. In return, the League sets up Dave as being gay because they believe that his own homophobic friends will turn on him. They want Dave to experience firsthand what it feels like to be humiliated for who you are.
So far, most reviewers who have read the entire book have weighed in on the side that this scene is NOT as it’s being portrayed in some reviews. Most, if not all, understand my intent as an author and the deeper themes of the book, which is deeply gratifying. For me, the problem comes when potential readers jump to conclusions based on inflammatory and incomplete reviews by certain bloggers. I know this is happening because I see that some readers have removed League of Strays from their to-be-read lists, which saddens me.
Of course, I do not feel that this scene is “gay bashing,” as the term has been thrown around Goodreads. Yes, it may be uncomfortable for some people to read, but it echoes a real life scene that is happening every day in high schools across America: someone being beat up for being gay. The scene’s purpose was to show that vengeance is a poor way to deal with a difficult situation. This realization comes out later in the book when Charlotte learns a life-changing lesson through this and other acts of unnecessary vengeance. Richie also learns through the course of the book that he is a great guy, and has a positive future, but that he must think for himself to be free. He must determine whether or not to let go of his real problem: his enabling friendship with Kade.
League of Strays was never intended to be a typical heroine-style book. It’s about a girl who has to learn about who she really is and define her own morals through the mistakes she and others make. If you were lonely, and faced with a smooth psychopath who manipulated and lied to you, would you so easily see the right choices? Maybe, maybe not. But it really doesn’t matter, because the reader is NOT Charlotte. Charlotte doesn’t have the benefit of jacket copy, or a cover, or reviews on Goodreads to let her in on Kade’s secret. She is merely a character that takes a difficult path and learns from it. Her journey is not intended to be a commentary on how one should act. It is how she acted, and how she handled the subsequent outcome.
As readers can see from the varied star count on Goodreads, there are many different positions on this book. Here is a professional review that came out yesterday, as an example.
I ask only one thing. Do not turn away from this book because certain bloggers have jumped to conclusions and in some cases, have made superficial accusations without reading the entire book. Decide for yourself. League of Strays is about the mistakes people make, not a how-to guide in dealing with bullying, as I am sure you will find out by the closing page. And you know what? You might just enjoy it. Others have. I hope you will keep an open and mind and give it a try.
Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this.
L.B. Schulman
The one thing I never expected as an author was the passionate reaction to a specific scene where League members form a plan to humiliate Dave, who has tormented a League member, Richie, merely for being gay for several years. In return, the League sets up Dave as being gay because they believe that his own homophobic friends will turn on him. They want Dave to experience firsthand what it feels like to be humiliated for who you are.
So far, most reviewers who have read the entire book have weighed in on the side that this scene is NOT as it’s being portrayed in some reviews. Most, if not all, understand my intent as an author and the deeper themes of the book, which is deeply gratifying. For me, the problem comes when potential readers jump to conclusions based on inflammatory and incomplete reviews by certain bloggers. I know this is happening because I see that some readers have removed League of Strays from their to-be-read lists, which saddens me.
Of course, I do not feel that this scene is “gay bashing,” as the term has been thrown around Goodreads. Yes, it may be uncomfortable for some people to read, but it echoes a real life scene that is happening every day in high schools across America: someone being beat up for being gay. The scene’s purpose was to show that vengeance is a poor way to deal with a difficult situation. This realization comes out later in the book when Charlotte learns a life-changing lesson through this and other acts of unnecessary vengeance. Richie also learns through the course of the book that he is a great guy, and has a positive future, but that he must think for himself to be free. He must determine whether or not to let go of his real problem: his enabling friendship with Kade.
League of Strays was never intended to be a typical heroine-style book. It’s about a girl who has to learn about who she really is and define her own morals through the mistakes she and others make. If you were lonely, and faced with a smooth psychopath who manipulated and lied to you, would you so easily see the right choices? Maybe, maybe not. But it really doesn’t matter, because the reader is NOT Charlotte. Charlotte doesn’t have the benefit of jacket copy, or a cover, or reviews on Goodreads to let her in on Kade’s secret. She is merely a character that takes a difficult path and learns from it. Her journey is not intended to be a commentary on how one should act. It is how she acted, and how she handled the subsequent outcome.
As readers can see from the varied star count on Goodreads, there are many different positions on this book. Here is a professional review that came out yesterday, as an example.
I ask only one thing. Do not turn away from this book because certain bloggers have jumped to conclusions and in some cases, have made superficial accusations without reading the entire book. Decide for yourself. League of Strays is about the mistakes people make, not a how-to guide in dealing with bullying, as I am sure you will find out by the closing page. And you know what? You might just enjoy it. Others have. I hope you will keep an open and mind and give it a try.
Thank you for taking the time to read and consider this.
L.B. Schulman
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