Bad Language In Books...

[Camilla]

It's ok. Most of the time I find it really humorous, but sometimes it gets a little too much (I'm looking at YOU, Looking for Alaska) and starts taking away from the story. I don't know many people who drop the f bomb in literally every sentence, so it takes away the realism. Usually I like it though.

[- ̗̀ jess ̖́-]

i'm okay with cuss words but there's overdoing it too, but there aren't many books that do. (the first book that came to mind was j.k. rowling's the causual vacancy - krystal weedon.) i'm not going to stop reading a book if there's a lot of swearing in it, because i curse a lot myself. sometimes a lot of swearing does take away from a book, but because of shock factor, because yes, curse words can heighten the emotion of a scene, or shows character.

obviously in middle grade books there should not be f-bombs, but in teen books i don't think it really matters? by then teens have probably begun to curse a lot.

i don't like a lot of euphemisms though. i'm all right with like, "holy hades," but across the universe uses "frex" as a curse and that irritates the heck out of me.

[Jazzy]

I don't think there's ever a need to. If you need profanity to round out your edgy and realistic characters, you're a lazy writer.

[Arbaaz]

I believe that if you write it in a badass manner, it's great. But if you just can't find a word and say "shit or whatever", you have some serious problem. But basically, I love it when a writer is honest, bad language or not.

[[deleted user]]

I don't really care (my parents cuss a lot so I'm totaly fine with it) it's when it gets into big bad words I'm done. I mean like the cursing in Harry Potter is fine. They say a few small words maybe like 2 times in one book. I don't mind if the characters cuss a little but when they start doing it all the time it gets annoying. And especialy if the writer just makes the characters say it to say. That is annoying.

Fantasy curse words are kinda funny. Like in the Inheritance Cycle they curse in Dwarven. I've never read a book that as its own curse words. Especialy in a mythical creatures language.

[Jessica]

If there isn't a lot then I think it's fine. I'm not bothered by it much. If, however, there is an excessive amount (I once read a book with 6 swears in the first two lines) I get a bit annoyed. It can be a sign that the author's vocabulary isn't up to scratch when the only word they can use is a swear.

[Lynne]

I'm not fond of bad language, although I can handle a small amount. A lot really puts me off.

[Sarah]

I don't mind reading a bit of cuss language I just don't like it over the top.

[[deleted user]]

Agreed, Sarah.

[C.]

Scattered, mild swears are ok. I will stop reading if the profanity is pervasive, and I detest "F" bombs, and crude sexual talk!

[bean]

okay, I actually love it when narrators curse. my reason is about as cheesy as it gets, but it feels like...they're trusting you in a sort of way. it establishes a sort of informal connection with the reader, like they're comfortable sharing whatever they're thinking with you. it's like we've got this secret friendship.

obviously, my take on this is probably a little weird, & while it's annoying when narrators are swearing constantly, as if they have something to prove, I think that if you can write it smoothly enough, using language in writing is A-okay. (also, I super hate when books say "frick" & all because hey I know what you're thinking so you might as well just say it but I suppose I have no choice but to respect how authors choose to write their own characters)

[Lottie]

If there is too much it's just plain annoying! But I don't mind them.

[[deleted user]]

bean wrote: "okay, I actually love it when narrators curse. my reason is about as cheesy as it gets, but it feels like...they're trusting you in a sort of way. it establishes a sort of informal connection with ..."

Agreed.

[Margo]

I feel like bad language makes books so much more interesting it helps make you actually feel what the characters are feeling and can make you even more angry at a character that has done a stupid thing.

[Wyatt]

I read books with swear words and it is realistic but I don’t enjoy reading the words. I will still continue to read as long as there aren’t so many that it’s in every sentence of dialogue.