Welcome to #CritYourFaves!
This fun blog event is hosted by the lovely Aentee over at Read At Midnight and runs throughout the month of October. Here is the official event introduction from Aentee:
'Often, it’s too easy for us to turn a blind eye to the flaws in our favourite books or series. Although there is no such thing as an objectively perfect work of fiction, it’s difficult to confront issues in the things we love. While it may be uncomfortable, or at times painful, I think it’s essential to point out lack of representation or perpetuation of harmful tropes and themes – no matter what kind of media you consume.
The #CritYourFave blog event encourages you to post discussion throughout the month of October, analysing your favourite book or series through a more critical lens. It’s not my intention to tell you to stop the things you love, but to acknowledge any misgivings they may have. If this sounds like something you would like to do, then sign up here!'
Today I am going to be critiquing books with unhealthy romances.
In particular, I will be critiquing my favourite books that feature unhealthy romances where there is a major lack of respect and communication skills.
Why am I focusing on respect and communication skills, you may ask?
Because relationships are easily broken over a lack of communication, as well as over whether or not a significant other is treated with the respect they deserve. This leads to so many mixed messages for the reader.
I can't count the number of books I've read where the main characters have:
(A) Kept life-changing secrets from their significant other
(B) Not confessed their honest feelings
(C) Lied to their significant other
(D) Treated their significant other like dirt
...only to have a magic wand waved over everything at the end. Abracadabra! Suddenly all of that is forgotten and the main protagonist has to forgive and forget, nevermind their hurt feelings and broken heart.
And that's not ok. People - and characters - are allowed to be hurt by the actions of others. They're justified in their anger especially when they've been a part of an unhealthy romance.
Despite loving some of these books, authors, and characters to bits...this idea that it's ok to ice someone out, or lie to them, or treat them badly out of 'love' doesn't sit well with me. Not at all.
I dislike how common unhealthy romances have become in literature. Whether it's the obvious ones, like Fifty Shades of Grey, or the subtle ones, like the Maximum Ride series...unhealthy romances are not something we should be swooning over.
So without further ado, let's get critiquing!
