SEX

[andy]

I don't really mind sex in literature, but I also don't purposely seek out sexy books. One thing that bugs me, though, is when people say that sex in books in completely unnecessary. It's just a tad hypocritical, so many books contain elaborate details about what or how their characters eat and drink - which hardly ever move along character development, but nobody's ever bothered by those!

[onlyaworkingtitle]

I've got no problem with sex in literature, though if it's a theme then I do prefer that it do something to move forward the plot or character development. I've mentioned the Kushiel series (alert: non-canonic) here a few times, and that has very detailed descriptions of sex, but it sort of has to because the protagonist/heroine/narrator is a prostitute and, even if it weren't her profession, a highly sexual person. She has a metric shit-tonne of kinky sex, most of which we get to read in elaborate detail, but it's interwoven with a complex plot and believable character development, and the books really wouldn't work without it.

Because of my love of that series, a friend recommended that I try Anne Rice's The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty, which is flat-out erotica. I tried to enjoy reading it, but there was no plot and no real characters (let alone development), and I found myself hating it (not to mention my rape-alarm was going off every five pages). I shudder just remembering those books. Blegh.

[WhatIf]

I don't have a problem until it's a poorly written romance novel with barely enough plot to get from one sex scene to another.

[Fuck Yeah Dion]

I've never come across a sex scene in literature that didn't pull me out of the story.

[hitzelc]

I am fairly certain that as human beings we are, biologically, all a fan of sex. It is a very human thing, it is a viable exploration in literature.

I will never pretend to be above a well crafted sex scene. If the author can pull it off and finds a place for it, I believe they can be a beautiful thing and of course they will grab my attention. If there is an underlying message or some layer of depth, even better.

However, poorly done scenes, or ones that just feel as though they had no place for whatever reason, can really kill a good motion.