(no subject)

[owlectomy]

Now that I think more on it, I think my problem with "Winger" isn't so much that the gay character is subjected to horrible violence just to teach the straight main character a positive life lesson, as that the gay character is subjected to horrible violence just to prove what a sweet, sensitive guy the main character is.

Also, the girl in the story has no personality whatsoever except that she's the main character's friend and he pines after her and (for no earthly reason) she falls in love with him.

It got really great reviews. I don't know, maybe I'm just terminally grumpy.

Comments

[deborah]

I haven't read Winger particular, but that is a pet peeve of mine when that happens in books. It also frequently happens to characters disabilities; they get some incredibly painful thing that happens to them so that they can die so that in able-bodied character has a chance to prove they are more sensitive and awesome.

[owlectomy]

Oh, gosh, yeah. I read a whole bunch of those when I was in middle school/high school. I feel like I see fewer lately, but that may just be wishful thinking -- for a long time it definitely felt like that was the *only* kind of plot you ever saw for characters with disabilities.