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A review by stacemiddleton
The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
5.0
I really enjoyed this book, so much so that I couldn't put it down. The characters are complex and I enjoyed the wit and flirtation between the main duo. The sexual tension was there and it was delicious!
I'm very excited to continue with the series. I'm a fan of the show also so it was nice to finally get my hands on the books. I especially can't wait for Kanthony's story.
Now about that scene, I completely understand and appreciate why it hindered people's enjoyment of the book, especially if it was emotionally triggering for them. I think it's great that Goodreads is a platform in which readers can look up trigger warnings in advance and can decide whether the book is suitable for them.
We also have to look at the historical context of the book and the attitudes around the time the book is set in, which are reflected in the ending and it not being seen by the characters as the big concern it would be for today's reader. I think it would be detrimental to the credibility of the story if the characters reacted in the same way as a modern reader.
It is my belief that an author should have free range and the creative freedom to write about any matters they choose. Unfortunately, these themes are grounded in reality and are part of the human experience. That doesn't stop them being intrinsically wrong, much like murder is when explored in a thriller. Discussing or writing about something, is very different from advocating for or enabling it. For me, no topic (however difficult) should be off limits so long as the reader is prepared with adequate warning and is able to decide whether this is something they want to consume or not.
As others have pointed out, what Daphne did was not okay, but in the same token I don't think Quinn attempted to portray it as acceptable, she just presented it as part of the duo's story. I do think she handled it sensitively and it wasn't just added as a kind of cheap twist. To her credit, the scene was built up and foreseeable (I'd like to think most readers could see the cogs turning in Daphne's brain before her taking the path she did).
I do think it contributed to the story in terms of the character growth and brought about a bigger conversation about why Daphne's actions were not justifiable, which I welcome. In fact, I think the ethical questions and issues that it posed to the reader were thoughtfully done. It's why I enjoy dystopian literature like 1989, it replicates and casts a spotlight on the darker side of humanity, it's confronting but that's part of its purpose. Granted this was unexpected for the romance genre, but for me it gave it an additional gravity and value. This wasn't just an ordinary romance but posed a moral dilemma for the reader and allowed them to come to their own opinion and reflect on its themes.
I'm very excited to continue with the series. I'm a fan of the show also so it was nice to finally get my hands on the books. I especially can't wait for Kanthony's story.
Now about that scene, I completely understand and appreciate why it hindered people's enjoyment of the book, especially if it was emotionally triggering for them. I think it's great that Goodreads is a platform in which readers can look up trigger warnings in advance and can decide whether the book is suitable for them.
We also have to look at the historical context of the book and the attitudes around the time the book is set in, which are reflected in the ending and it not being seen by the characters as the big concern it would be for today's reader. I think it would be detrimental to the credibility of the story if the characters reacted in the same way as a modern reader.
It is my belief that an author should have free range and the creative freedom to write about any matters they choose. Unfortunately, these themes are grounded in reality and are part of the human experience. That doesn't stop them being intrinsically wrong, much like murder is when explored in a thriller. Discussing or writing about something, is very different from advocating for or enabling it. For me, no topic (however difficult) should be off limits so long as the reader is prepared with adequate warning and is able to decide whether this is something they want to consume or not.
As others have pointed out, what Daphne did was not okay, but in the same token I don't think Quinn attempted to portray it as acceptable, she just presented it as part of the duo's story. I do think she handled it sensitively and it wasn't just added as a kind of cheap twist. To her credit, the scene was built up and foreseeable (I'd like to think most readers could see the cogs turning in Daphne's brain before her taking the path she did).
I do think it contributed to the story in terms of the character growth and brought about a bigger conversation about why Daphne's actions were not justifiable, which I welcome. In fact, I think the ethical questions and issues that it posed to the reader were thoughtfully done. It's why I enjoy dystopian literature like 1989, it replicates and casts a spotlight on the darker side of humanity, it's confronting but that's part of its purpose. Granted this was unexpected for the romance genre, but for me it gave it an additional gravity and value. This wasn't just an ordinary romance but posed a moral dilemma for the reader and allowed them to come to their own opinion and reflect on its themes.