On douchebags

[pharmakeiaspring]

Perhaps it's just me. I finally read Gormenghast and can confirm that Steerpike is indeed just as dislikeable as Heathcliff. I mean, why does any woman feel the slightest bit of interest in these vindictive, arrogant twats who misuse their gifts and intelligence for cruelty and petty revenge? Really, what is attractive about them? Is it like those women who write to the moors murderer because they think the love of a good woman can change them? Are they all Roberta Kray? As a sane woman who prefers now to date non-abusive persons, I don't get it.

Comments

[all_adream]

I agree: the main rule for me is "don't be a douche". The really obvious corollary is "Don't be a douche near me".

[pharmakeiaspring]

An important corollary.

[helarxe]

Wow! I started reading Titus Groan in July and couldn't really go past about page 100. The characters, perhaps it's the Dickensianry, but I just couldn't interest myself in their petty-grotesque opaqueness.

I have to finish it eventually, of course, but you know how rare it is for me to dislike a book. Memetic sponge etc.

Pros: bright carvers, landscape on castle,... 's all I got.

[pharmakeiaspring]

Yeah, woah, that's like when my mother (the linguist) told me she couldn't get through the Silmarillion. I guess after you've read through things like "Hepatic Bax inhibitor 1 inhibits IRE1 and protects from obesity associated insulin resistance" enough times there is nothing left you can't get through.

I did want to slap a lot of those characters though. You're right, even when they were scrutable they radiated capricious inscrutability. The quality of the language and metaphors was a small redemption.