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A review by robotswithpersonality
Running Blind by Lee Child
2.5
What. The. Actual. Fuck. So Child just decided to throw all the development from the third book out, huh?
Worst female characterization yet, and misogyny in general is why I will NOT be continuing in the series.
Author is bending over backwards to find a reason for Reacher to be involved in yet another criminal investigation even though he's not formally connected to any law enforcement agency, and in the process decided not only will the FBI have no problem with threatening assault, mutilation and death of Reacher's girlfriend, who in the last book was interesting and well-rounded character, at the hands of a crime boss, but that the crimes here have to be about women not only having survived sexual harrassment and assault in the Army, but now being targeted for murder seemingly as a result of their previous victimization.
The two new female characters introduced fall into the only two camps you'd expect a men's rights group to recognize: one that barely challenges him, is constantly objectified and regularly coming onto him, something he reciprocates physically despite the aforementioned girlfriend!
And one that is immediately prejudiced against Reacher, shrewish, obstinate and inflexible, unwilling to listen (though that has other motivations attached), again often described based on physical characteristics, but in this case negatively, who's deeply insecure about having a prettier sister and might also have daddy issues about the stepfather. Can you guess who the bad 'guy' is, based on this description? 🙄 Yep, author really went there.
And if that wasn't enough, Reacher, seemingly unable to get over the FBI backing him into a corner, seems to spend more time verbally sparring (in not particular scintillating dialogue) and attempting to outwit the FBI, rather than actually helping with the investigation, even though the women involved are people Reacher previously knew and helped when he was a member of Military Police, and aiding the investigation might fall under common decency even if it somehow harms his lone wolf rebel status.
Oh, and a major plot point involves hypnosis.
Yeah, I think I'm done with this series, permanently. 🚮
⚠️SA, misogyny
Worst female characterization yet, and misogyny in general is why I will NOT be continuing in the series.
Author is bending over backwards to find a reason for Reacher to be involved in yet another criminal investigation even though he's not formally connected to any law enforcement agency, and in the process decided not only will the FBI have no problem with threatening assault, mutilation and death of Reacher's girlfriend, who in the last book was interesting and well-rounded character, at the hands of a crime boss, but that the crimes here have to be about women not only having survived sexual harrassment and assault in the Army, but now being targeted for murder seemingly as a result of their previous victimization.
The two new female characters introduced fall into the only two camps you'd expect a men's rights group to recognize: one that barely challenges him, is constantly objectified and regularly coming onto him, something he reciprocates physically despite the aforementioned girlfriend!
And one that is immediately prejudiced against Reacher, shrewish, obstinate and inflexible, unwilling to listen (though that has other motivations attached), again often described based on physical characteristics, but in this case negatively, who's deeply insecure about having a prettier sister and might also have daddy issues about the stepfather. Can you guess who the bad 'guy' is, based on this description? 🙄 Yep, author really went there.
And if that wasn't enough, Reacher, seemingly unable to get over the FBI backing him into a corner, seems to spend more time verbally sparring (in not particular scintillating dialogue) and attempting to outwit the FBI, rather than actually helping with the investigation, even though the women involved are people Reacher previously knew and helped when he was a member of Military Police, and aiding the investigation might fall under common decency even if it somehow harms his lone wolf rebel status.
Oh, and a major plot point involves hypnosis.
Yeah, I think I'm done with this series, permanently. 🚮
⚠️SA, misogyny