This picture sums it up!

I have never run across a picture that so absolutely and perfectly describes the essence of a book. Everything I disliked about the book is in this picture. This book, Twilight and almost every new adult book I’ve read and disliked – which in truth haven’t been a lot because clearly it’s not my thing  – has “this” at it’s heart.

I mean look at her! I viscerally reacted to this image.

And the hard truth is – I had to acknowledge I have read books that have this vibe and have liked them. The dominant and submissive, the protector and the helpless victim. I enjoy these stories but only IF the woman has some, just a little, but some agency. It’s when the book is “this” and I can’t identify with the heroine at all that I lose my connection. And I recognize I might be in the minority because there is a reason this movie is being made.

So yes, the fantasy of “this” in a book is something I will read, maybe even like.But as a grown woman, as a person in real life, when I looked at this picture all I could think of was stand up straight, take your finger out of your mouth and move away from that guy who is smothering you!

Clearly, I will not be seeing this movie, but cudos to the photographer or photo designer who totally got what this book was all about. I wonder if seeing it played out with actors on screen, people will still connect with ”this” like they did when they were reading the story.