Stephanie answers “Why aren't there some warnings that is has...”

❆ Crystal ❆ asked this question about Pretty Girls:

Why aren't there some warnings that is has dark subject matter, torture, rape and violence to women? I assumed that it would skirt around some issues... You know it's happening, but it's not really detailed. But, that's not the case. There is some really touchy subject matter in this book and it may not appeal to everyone. I think there needs to be a warning to just people know.

Stephanie Personally, I do not like warnings on books, not because I do not think they can be helpful, but because sometimes a warning spoils part of the myster…morePersonally, I do not like warnings on books, not because I do not think they can be helpful, but because sometimes a warning spoils part of the mystery of a book. For me, I always look at Goodreads reviews before I pick up a book if I am concerned, and often there are warnings available that way. I have had a few mysteries spoiled for me because someone mentioned "suicide" or something about danger to a child as a warning and it spoiled the end of the mystery for me. In this case, knowing about the dark subject matter would have spoiled how deep and dark the mystery went. I think if you are unsure about a genre, author, or story, it is always wise to look at reviews first to see what people are saying. In addition, testing books through the library first instead of buying them outright is also probably best so no one feels like their money is wasted.

Additionally, not everyone feels the same warnings are necessary. While a general "suicide" warning is straightforward, like I said, it could spoil the book if it is a major plot point. Similarly, if we don't go by concrete plot points and instead call things "violent" or "disturbing" or "dark", then that is up for interpretation. What is "disturbing" to one person may not be disturbing to someone else. What is violent to one person may not seem as violent to others. In that way, warnings are really personal and subjective and could deter someone from reading something and over-prepare them when, in their opinion, it was not a big issue.

On that note, I don't even like movie ratings at this point. I have worked myself up over movie ratings, thinking something was going to be gross and violent and it is actually humorously done or isn't as bad as my imagination made me believe. Not only that, but some ratings are so political or arbitrary they do not serve the purpose for which they were created.

I don't think you are wrong in wanting a heads up about what the book involves. However, I don't think official book ratings or warnings would be productive and could actually cause more issues with publishing and eventually censorship. I think the best thing is to always look up reviews ahead of time if you are sensitive to certain subject matter. I am sure there is a website or blog somewhere that keeps track of content and trigger warnings :)
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