Danielle's Reviews > North! or Be Eaten

Peterson's got a great sense of childhood innocence that's evident in both his music and writing. I personally think its beautiful. Oh yeah and good point about gender roles- don't you hate it when men fight to protect the women they Love, that's the worst... Speaking of real life issues- good luck with a relationship paradigm in which any man who loves you enough to protect you and keep you out of harms way is scorned. Sarcasm touché

Keifer wrote: "Peterson's got a great sense of childhood innocence that's evident in both his music and writing. I personally think its beautiful. Oh yeah and good point about gender roles- don't you hate it when..."

The issue is not that men want to protect the women that they love (or "Love" since you felt the need to capitalize it), the issue is that the women are portrayed as needing to be protected . Strong female characters are paramount to raising strong girls, and telling stories in which the girls are always left behind is going to result in girls feeling that passivity is not only acceptable but the only course available to them. Additionally, there's a world of difference between "childhood innocence" and perpetuating antiquated gender norms. On a side note, thanks so much for your ever so helpful relationship advice. If I ever decide to look for a Neanderthal to hit me over the head, drag me back to his cave, and "protect me" from society, I'll let you know.

Keifer wrote: "Peterson's got a great sense of childhood innocence that's evident in both his music and writing. I personally think its beautiful. Oh yeah and good point about gender roles- don't you hate it when..."

The perpetuated myth that women need to be protected is one of the problems with this world. The truth is that women are quite capable of protecting themselves. In the few situations that they may need protecting, it very rarely needs to be a man to do the protecting. Alternately, men sometimes need protecting as well, but there are few stories involving that, are there? I hate to inform you, but we are no longer living in the Nineteenth Century. Women are functional, capable, and strong-willed members of society. Keep up with the times.

Bravo Keifer. No one is saying women are incapable of defending themselves. Chivalry is a beautiful thing and Petersen captured it well. Just because you don't agree with it doesn't make it a bad read. For goodness sake, it is fiction. Peddle your hate elsewhere.

Amanda wrote: "Bravo Keifer. No one is saying women are incapable of defending themselves. Chivalry is a beautiful thing and Petersen captured it well. Just because you don't agree with it doesn't make it a bad r..."

Peddle my hate? This site is for reviewing books . Not liking the way ideas are portrayed and then expressing it is not hate, it's freedom of speech and essential to any society. The classification of fiction does not lighten the effects that the book has on anyone. If children are reading that girls are expected to learn to play instruments, sit in the background, and be protected while they boys have all of the adventures, girls will never feel that they can advance in society.

Amanda wrote: "Bravo Keifer. No one is saying women are incapable of defending themselves. Chivalry is a beautiful thing and Petersen captured it well. Just because you don't agree with it doesn't make it a bad r..."

We are all entitled to our own opinions. Danielle CAN say that the book is a bad read for not agreeing with some of its concepts--just like you can say that the book is a good read because you like the same concepts. Both of you are entitled to an opinion, so don't try to tell the other that theirs is wrong. Also, saying a book is bad isn't hate; she's not saying that the author is a bad person for writing it or that the book should be banned because of its principles. She's simply giving her opinion on the matter, which, yes, is freedom of speech and essential to any society. Also, fiction does have a greater effect on instilling morals than you might want to believe. Oftentimes, that's why people read fiction.

However much the females generally hung in the background, I do seem to remember a certain granddaughter having gotten between her Older Male Adventurer and the giant, dripping jaws of a sea-dragon while he was paralyzed by shame and fear... that may count for something. Also, book one contained some Mum Has to Save The Careless Kids, if that wasn't negated by her means.

Really? There is absolutely no edict that reviews have to be objective, and I certainly wrote this review in a tongue-in-cheek fashion. Having an opinion is not trolling.

Interestingly, I've found that the only people who are ever hateful on this site are the ones so incredibly fond of Christian literature.

Sean, I'm a sociologist; referring to a set of beliefs as mythical is not hateful. Check the definition of myth -- Myth: a traditional story, esp. one concerning the early history of a people or explaining some natural or social phenomenon, and typically involving supernatural beings or events.

Bennett -- please elaborate.

Bennett wrote: "This is all disgusting"

Eh? I don't especially agree with her review myself--see the two stars' worth of difference in our opinions--but I really don't understand why someone speaking their mind about a book would be "disgusting."

Thank you, Anita! It's refreshing to correspond with someone who understands that differences in opinions are not necessarily a terrible thing.

ND wrote: "Thank you, Anita! It's refreshing to correspond with someone who understands that differences in opinions are not necessarily a terrible thing."

You're welcome. :) In person, I think differences definitely help life to stay interesting. Online, unfortunately, disagreement often gets taken for aggression, and then a whole exasperated debate-y thread breaks loose.

I found Leeli and Nia were pretty strong female characters, but admittedly there were some "traditional" roles depicted here.

I'm curious what you felt was an overt enough message to feel like it was hitting you over the head? I mean sure they pray to "the Maker" but other than that I don't see this series as being overtly Christian, and I find it refreshing.

"It's refreshing to correspond with someone who understands that differences in opinions are not necessarily a terrible thing." Do you now see how nonsensical this statement is? The review itself makes it clear that the "gender roles" portrayed in the novel are terrible precisely because they are different than the opinions of the reviewer. Apparently the author of the novel does not have the right to have a "different opinion" than the reviewer. The reviewer is not seeking mere tolerance of her opinion -- she is insisting that any opinion other than hers is wrong. Yet she denies the author the right to express his own "opinion." This same sort of intolerance is seen in the reviewer's complaining about being "hit...over the head" with the author's Christianity -- apparently she seems to assume the author does not have the right to state his "opinions" in his own work, unless they agree with her own -- otherwise, he is accused of hitting the reader over the head with his messages. Furthermore, "Rachel" is absolutely correct -- Leeli and Nia do far more than sit around waiting to be protected. For example, were it not for Nia, the characters never would have undertaken the journey to the Ice Prairies, which is the basis of the entire story.

There's nothing wrong with not agreeing with the whole "man saves woman " thing, but I would like to point out that whereas women can be strong in their own way, men will always be the stronger sex, physically speaking.
Having said that, I also want to say that a woman may be able to take care of themselves but that doesn't mean that a man would like to protect nor help her as proof of his affection.

Not sure what you’re talking about. Nia, the mother, was an incredibly strong female character. You’re upset that she wasn’t more masculine? That doesn’t make any sense. Nia - and Leeli - both present an image of grace, peace, and the ability to fight when needed. There’s nothing wrong with what you’ve labeled “traditional gender roles” when it’s referring to characteristics that certain genders are more naturally inclined toward. Personally, I think we need more women in literature like Nia who remind us that raising a family and creating a home is 1) no small task, 2) is just as worthy as any other calling in life, and 3) is perhaps one of the most important things a person could do. She’s also incredibly protective and commanding.

Oh. Also, some of the meanest people I’ve ever known have been Atheists. ;) Though, I’ve met my fair share of nasty Christians too. You know what that tells me? That it’s not a religion or non-religion problem. It’s a people problem. :)

Leeli and Nia are AWESOME!! What were you expecting, Leeli swinging a sword?? She’s nine!! And Nia, on multiple occasions has a sword.