To be clean or not to be clean?

[Amy]

Do you prefer your urban fantasy novels to be adult (18+, r-rated and beyond) or do you still like to read clean urban fantasy? I think a clean version can be done well, especially if it's more geared to the YA audience. I've certainly enjoyed both kinds of stories. Which do you prefer?

[Jon]

Guess I'll "tweak" this a little, starting w/ "clean."

Not saying this is exactly the right language, but we might define a continuum as "sanitized" to "realistic" to "hardcore."

To be clear, as a parent (of a "grown and gone" child--who read Lolita when she was about 13): I don't think that "sanitized" is always and only a bad word; I don't mean it to be "judgey" in a negative way.

Kids in particular (and people of more delicate sensibilities) should have the option of reading *some* things in less high-impact format.

That said (as an atheist), I think it's important to point out that the Bible (and many or most other core religious texts) is in no way "clean." (Rape, incest, slavery; try getting that past your local school board.)

And--I would respectfully argue--there are a lot of circumstances in which "cleaning things up" amounts to gelding a text, to fundamentally changing the intent of the author.

Life, after all, is rarely . . . clean.

We're reading for escapism (and the author is okay w/ it)?

Fine: get out the sponge.

But--as with the cleaning of ancient Greco-Roman art--I worry that, too often, it's not just "surface touch-up" that gets done; rather we lose important content.

Just my two cents . . .

JZ

[Amy]

Jon wrote: "Guess I'll "tweak" this a little, starting w/ "clean."

Not saying this is exactly the right language, but we might define a continuum as "sanitized" to "realistic" to "hardcore."

To be clear, a..."

Thanks Jon. I use "clean" because that's how most authors tag their non-sexual stories to appeal to younger audiences. Sure, a lot of that's geared toward religious crowds, but this isn't meant as an argument of religion and morals, since all parties could go both ways.

I meant it as a discussion of personal preference, not censorship. Wondering what each reader prefers themselves?

[Kimberley]

I honestly love both types. Or, actually all types. I find it’s more of the story then whether or not it has everything behind closed doors or not.

It really does depend on my mood. But I love all types of books clean to hard-core.

[Amber]

I can read either, however I do prefer the more hardcore stuff but if the story is great, I will read it regardless if it is tame or not.

[Josie]

I've read some very poorly-written erotica, which has put me off a bit. I tend to enjoy the romance more than the sex, so I stick to steamy rather than explicit.

[D.G.]

I'm fine with either BUT it has to be match the story. Sometimes I find it childish when I see a book with lots of death and gore where the characters refuse to say a 4-letter word. *rolls eyes*

[April]

I have read both versions, that being said I prefer the over 20 plus. But for the young adults the clean version is best.

[Amy]

I think the major consensus is both! I'm glad I'm not the only one!

[Holly]

I like a well written book. Sometimes I enjoy the clean. At others I want the steamy.

[Karen ⚜Mess⚜]

Jon wrote: "Guess I'll "tweak" this a little, starting w/ "clean."

Not saying this is exactly the right language, but we might define a continuum as "sanitized" to "realistic" to "hardcore."

To be clear, a..."

Excellent point, Jon. I agree with you.

Amy -- I don't choose one preference over the other. I love to read anything that is well written as an escape. I do like to see how far down the rabbit hole an author can take me.

I do sometimes wonder how a book gets categorized as YA. I think it's because the main characters are teens or younger? I am currently reading a YA novel. EXCELLENT book! Love the story telling. There is cursing in the book so I wonder how it got categorized as YA? Is it the age of the characters?

On the other hand, my mother is 82 and doesn't read anything with gore, rape, or any hard core stuff like that. It gives her nightmares. She likes her mysteries, but it is so hard to find new material for her. I feel she misses out on so many good authors due to her sensitivity. She won't even read J.D. Robb! There goes 40+ plus books!

[♥Lynn ♥]

I read both. When I'm really stressed or anytime when I have a lot going on, I tend to lean towards the cleaner things. Also it really depends on the author. If I've read a lot from an author and I trust them to take me some place darker, I go there because I can trust the writing to be backed up. If that makes sense.

[Victoria]

I read both depending on my mood - happy to have 'clean' UF where the sex, if any at all occurs, happens behind closed doors, but then again, I am perfectly happy to read an x-rate UG :)

[Jon]

Amy wrote: "Jon wrote: "Guess I'll "tweak" this a little, starting w/ "clean."

Not saying this is exactly the right language, but we might define a continuum as "sanitized" to "realistic" to "hardcore."

To..."

Belatedly . . .

My two cents about what/how I like to read? Perhaps predictably: I'm a fan of grit but I'll footnote that a little.

I want "internal consistency" and good "labeling." Whatever I'm going to read, I don't want to be ambushed by either not getting what I thought I was getting, or by getting whipsawed halfway through when characters begin acting/speaking . . . uncharacteristically.

[Natalie]

I enjoy a steamy romance but your right about it needing to have a good story. I tend to read a series where the main characters get together in the first couple of books and stay together throughout the series solving mysteries, defeating the bad guys etc. I’m not into love triangles or any of the on again off again stuff which tends to be more YA. So I stuck to adult as it annoys me when I keep having to shout ‘just get together for goodness sake!’
Stacia Kane - Downside Ghosts
Amelia Hutchins - The Fae Chronicles
Ilona Andrews - Kate Daniels
R Scarlett - Blackest Gold
Jenn Bennett - Arcadia Bell
These are just a few of the series I’ve read recently and would love any suggestions.

[Tyler]

I enjoy both, as long as it's a good story. It can also depend on my mood.