Iron Kissed (Mercy Thompson #3) Patricia Briggs

[rolanni]

The advertent auditor of this journal will have noticed that I keep a "books read" list. Mostly, this is for my own information, to prove to myself that I am too reading, at least a little. I rarely comment on the books, because I learned when I was working for SFWA that commenting truthfully on novels written by people I know was more likely to get me grief than not, and, thanks to the SFWA job, I know an awful lot of fantasy and science fiction writers.

That said, there was a conversation the other day regarding the third book in Patricia Brigg's Mercedes Thompson series, Iron Kissed. It seems that the excellent buymeaclue had some issues with the third book, and the question was asked what I thought.

I have not read buymeaclue's commentary, and don't intend to. What I think is that the [spoilery thing] of which I understand she complains, and its aftermath is handled appropriately and believably for this reader. The book was not a warm and cozy read, but the [spoilery thing] worked on the storytelling level (again) for me. As always, YMMV. If you are a person who believes that fiction must never use violence against women as a "plot device," then you might not want to read this book; it'll only get your politics in an uproar.

What I understand to be a secondary beef regarding the structure of the werewolf pack and the peculiar powers of the pack Alpha -- these things were set up very clearly and maintained consistently from early in the first book. If a reader of the series managed to get to Book Three only then to be offended by the pack social structure, well...sometimes we don't read as carefully as we ought.

Comments

[difrancis.livejournal.com]

I took this up too in a couple of places, partly because the dearauthor.com reviewer had a similar reaction--though she maintained it was a hotbutton issue for her and so therefore she was inherently biased. I wrote about it here:

http://www.sfnovelists.com/2008/03/03/taboo-topics/

I personally thought the rape worked, but it's Phyl Radford that articulated it really well when I first was thinking about it here:

http://difrancis.livejournal.com/152960.html#cutid1

Her point, and one worth making, is that the rape was the only way to crack Mercy's emotional shell and self-reliance.

Personally, I thought the best part of the entire aftermath, was how Ben handled things--it was his understanding and the connection to his past that really added a level of emotional resonance that I wasn't expecting. I thought it was very well done.

Di

[kimuro.livejournal.com]

Her point, and one worth making, is that the rape was the only way to crack Mercy's emotional shell and self-reliance.

This statement makes me feel physically ill. It reads like a defense of rape - of any rape - as a way of personal growth. As in ... Mercy was too strong. She was too self-reliant. She needed to be taught her place in the grand scheme of things. ...

I disagree totally. She was already coming to realise how much she trusts Adam when things get rough. There was definite progress in their relationship, especially with Samuel acknowledging that he was out of the running.

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

This statement makes me feel physically ill. It reads like a defense of rape - of any rape - as a way of personal growth.

See now, I read that as a comment on how we're going to work through a (pretty tricky) characterization. There's a line between Real Life and Fiction. In Real Life, we don't go around raping uppity wimmin to Teach 'Em. Or, if we do, we get twenty to life.

For the story and, arguably, for the character development of the lead character, that violence, in that way, was necessary. In the author's estimation, which, in a novel, Counts.

Fiction can't make Bad Things not happen. What fiction can do...it can teach. As Di mentions, what made this work on a whole 'nother and deeply wonderful level was Ben. Ben explaining what was going on, and connecting with the lead character's pain in a way that, I'm sorry, I've seen very few Real Life people manage for a Real Life rape victim.

So, yanno, what I'm seeing is that the story may have taught somebody something. One person -- and that's worth it.

Just from my own point of view...an author doesn't put her characters through this stuff for fun. It hurts me just as much as it hurts them. There's gotta be a Real Good Reason why I'm willing to put up with so much pain and watch someone I love and respect suffer that pain.

[difrancis.livejournal.com]

It's not a defense of rape. Really. I find it to be a truly disgusting horrible thing and that along with pedophilia should result in the removal of genitalia. Really.

But as a writer, it's necessary to consider how to put your characters in situations that will cause certain character developments (as Sharon points out). I've read a lot about how people (who agree with you) dislike that scene and don't think it works. I get it too. It does work for me, and like I said, particularly because of the way she handled the aftermath and I think that the next book is going to be a lot more fall out. I don't think Mercy's just bam! over it. I think we're going to see a real struggle for her.

But you see, I think this is less about Adam for me. For me it's more about a lot of what's been coming--who she is, especially in relation to the pack. I think the stuff early on with Honey especially, but some other characters, show that Mercy was riding the fence between belonging (which meant giving up some of her independence--exchanging it for something else, or going alone.) And after the rape, that choice becomes a lot more clear when Ben explains. And I think Mercy does have to choose here. Because in staying, she has to deal with her guilt more (not that she should feel it, but clearly she does), and that makes her character expand any more.

I'm not trying to convince you. The other part of my life is an academic, and what I love is the ability to discuss texts, to see other points of view, to understand the text better. And as I writer, I like to understand your experience as a reader. So take this all for what's it's worth, and if you feel like telling me I'm zonking out of it, well, you can.

Di

[kimuro.livejournal.com]

Rape happens. It's a tragedy, it's traumatic but the worst thing about it is that the assault goes on and on long after the initial offense is over. Society assumes and condemns the woman for being a target. Anything that even appears to support the view that the woman deserved what happened to her or that it was good for her in any way should be avoided, in my opinion.

That was what struck me about your initial statement, that "Mercy needed" this to happen in order to develop as a person. Nobody needs this sort of thing to happen.

It wasn't that long ago, historically speaking, that the punishment for the crime of rape was to force the man to marry the victim. Who was being punished, I wonder? That's what I hated about the entire Luke and Laura storyline on that soap opera way back when. It appeared to glorify and romanticize the crime. (I don't watch soap operas. I don't like to be addicted to anything except coffee and reading.) And I stopped reading the Thomas Coventer series when he began his whining self-serving justifications for the sexual assault on the woman in the other world.

Personally, I thought that Iron-kissed was wonderfully well-written, that the matter was masterfully handled, both the initial assault and the aftermath. The series is an action one; it contains a lot of fighting and, sadly, that is a very traditional weapon wielded against women. It will be interesting to see how Mercy deals with the aftermath - and, again, in my opinion, we haven't even begun to see the aftermath.

[difrancis.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the "needed" thing was an authorial perspective--which I fall into naturally, being a writer type. You have no idea how much I wish I had written that scene and the follow up stuff. I thought it was handled very well--realistically and yet balancing the idea that in fact she *was* a victim of a horrific crime with the fact that she is also a *very* strong person and the two things collide in her with a devastating impact on her psyche, beyond the fact of rape. If that makes sense. That's why I think rape is so individual--it impacts every woman dreadfully, and the main thing in common that they share is always it serves to damage their sense of selves.

Which brings me back to that 'needed' thing. As a writer, I thought about what could be done to Mercy to really make her vulnerable on an emotional level, and I don't know that anything else would have. I mean, she's used to a lot of bad things happening to people she knows and cares about (Jessie, Adam for two) and yet she's able to deal with those things. That fear and that pain. But when it happens to her, and she's made to participate, it puts her out of control of herself--she can't cope with it, probably for the first time in the series.

Have you read the Anna and Charles story in On the Prowl? I can't wait to see how Patty deals with the complexities of those two. And you're right. I don't think we've begun to see the aftermath. I think she thinks she's dealt with it, but I don't think she has. It's going to come back and kick her when she least expects it, and more than once.

Di

phew

[gryphonlsb.livejournal.com]

I did read that persons review and didnt agree at all

The 'thing' offended me, but thats what that thing does to real humans, it makes you mad.

I love the story and the characters, I truly enjoyed everything about these books. They arent epic but they are very ine reads

Glad you have enjoyed them as well

;)

[kimuro.livejournal.com]

That [spoilery thing] hurt like the hell it is. I bought into it completely and totally, both at the time and the aftermath. And I agree about the Pack dynamics. There have been clues to that from the get-go.

[kalimeg.livejournal.com]

Oh Horrors! We Must Never Use Reality as a Plot Device!!

[thefoxglovelady.livejournal.com]

The point is that Mercy ~is~ that strong, and that if it was just a "regular" (spoilerthing), then it would have been bad, but she'd've bitched and moved on....that she was convinced she'd ~cooperated and wanted it~ shattered her. That's what made it work for me. Pain is survivable, but guilt is crushing.

And hasn't Mercy been bitching (quite literally) about the pack structure since book one? She speaks extensively about how she has to finagle her way around all these controlling males, because they have all the power. That's been very clearly stated.

I like them. I like Mercy, who has her faults, but also has her strengths.

[difrancis.livejournal.com]

Yeah! Exactly. Well said.

[ramblin-phyl.livejournal.com]

Ditto. The situation worked for me. I remained true to both characters and opened a can a worms that will have to be dealt with later.

Patti did a good job and I know she agonized over portraying this incident. But it works and jumpstarts some character growth issues that otherwise might have bogged down several books.

[growlycub.livejournal.com]

I haven't read any of the books and don't plan to since the genre isn't my cup of tea, but I've seen so much discussion on this particular book I can't but help voice the following question:

If the main character had been male instead of female, would the author still have decided that a rape was the only plot device to bring him out of his shell?

If the answer to that is yes, then the use of rape as a plot device is justified, but if the answer would be no, then I have to ask: if the desired/necessary character development could be achieved in different ways for a male, why were those different ways not available for a female protagonist?

[difrancis.livejournal.com]

My feeling is the nature of the rape. It is less about her body and more about her mind. And yes, Patty's found ways to do 'rape' to men. Perhaps not in the traditional way, but she's found the worst thing that can happen to them to make them vulnerable and incapable and then hurt them a lot. It's hard to explain without you reading it, but the thing about this is that Patty dealt with this in a truly individual way--individual to the characters (both rapist and victim). It fit. Crap. I am not explaining this well. Sorry.

[queenmaggie.livejournal.com]

Goddammit an' spit! well, really, it won't make much real difference to me.. i don't care about spoilers except as they enable me to adapt to the plots as they occur... but I really wish no one (even imaginary characters) has to go through a rape.

can't wait for the book.

A learning experience for Mercy and the reader

[bookmobiler.livejournal.com]

I've read all three of the "Mercy" books and have enjoyed them all. Yes the rape made me feel sick but its aftermath, especially Ben's actions gave me hope too.
Rape can not be glossed over by snide or pious platitudes. Neither, she asked for it (the victims never do) or get over it, life goes on (its not that easily gotten over) really address the trauma. Those out side the incident need to understand that the victim is hurting in ways that may or may not be obvious. No matter how strong they seem thoughtful and caring help is needed.
Briggs makes us see that because the story demanded it and we needed to understand.
Good books do that.

[difrancis.livejournal.com]

Thought I'd mention that Patty dropped by my blog to say a couple of things on the scene and it's really interesting.

http://difrancis.livejournal.com/158462.html

very interesting

[k-10b.livejournal.com]

Thanks for sharing this...I was feeling like a not particularly analytic reader after going through the commentary on buymeaclue's journal.

I'm glad to know that I understood Mercy and what happened in Iron Kissed closer to what the author intended. An awful, dreadful experience, but one that she fought and can overcome.

Looking forward to the next installment.
Kristen B.

Re: very interesting

[difrancis.livejournal.com]

what a seriously cool icon.

Di

Re: very interesting

[k-10b.livejournal.com]

thanks...google images "dragons"

KB

[buymeaclue.livejournal.com]

I totally support your right to have whatever opinions you like about the book in question or, hell, any book out there, and to disagree with anyone you like in any way you like...

But I guess I would like to ask you to refrain from describing my problems with the book if you haven't read my post about it? I appreciate the "excellent" description, but my positions are getting a bit mischaracterized here, and it's not really fair to dub me a careless reader on the basis of something that I didn't actually say.

[rolanni.livejournal.com]

I totally support your right to have whatever opinions you like about the book in question or, hell, any book out there, and to disagree with anyone you like in any way you like...

Thank you for your support.

But I guess I would like to ask you to refrain from describing my problems with the book if you haven't read my post about it?

I note that your commentary was pointed to in my post and in the original post from the person who thought the discussion in your blog interesting, so auditors of this blog had immediate access to what you actually did say -- whereupon they could decide if I was misrepresenting you. As you can see from your conversation with gryphonlsb, some folks did exactly that, so good on them. That's why the pointers were there. It seemed only fair for me to say right off that I hadn't read your comments, and didn't intend to do so, because, well -- truth in advertising.

[buymeaclue.livejournal.com]

I do appreciate the link and the statement that you didn't read the post, and should have said as much in my initial comment. Thanks for that. If you're going to comment on something you haven't read, that's probably the best possible way to do it.

I still can't help feeling it's mighty unfair to describe and judge something without being willing to have a look at it for yourself.

But it is, of course, your journal, and you can do whatever you like. I'll retire from your space now.