Hi,

I’m currently reading your book, Harlequin, (the first book of yours I’ve read), and while I’m enjoying it so far, there was one thing that has struck me as I was reading it. This is not a personal criticism of you, as I’m sure you do not condone it, but the scenes relating to rape during the village pillages made me feel really uncomfortable as a woman, and to be honest made me not want to continue reading at one point. While you are not overly descriptive, and while in no way do I get the sense that the story is trying to actively condone rape, it is still dealt with or raised in a way that, forgive me, seems a bit blasé. I understand completely the wish to remain accurate to the time period, when I know this happened, but I still wonder if it’s really necessary to allude really strongly to it and to share the viewpoints of main characters who are either vocally indifferent or eager to pursue rape. With the issue of rape, it’s just one of those things that if it’s not actively
condemned, it is left ‘unchallenged’, and can therefore become desensitised as an issue. While times have changed dramatically, attitudes towards women and rape have not really changed all that much, and the blasé treatment of rape in all forms of media indirectly and collectively allows it to be dismissed or even glorified by certain people. The fact that everyone in the story is horrified that Thomas almost has his “arse boiled”, but simultaneously glorify the rape of woman (and expect the right to do it) may be historically accurate, but it only serves to subtly (and unintentionally I’m sure) reinforce the notion that it is more ‘normal’ for women to have this happen.

Again, I don’t mean to cause you any personal offence, I just felt it was important to let you know that the casual reference to rape in this story (so far) actually left me feeling really uncomfortable as a reader. I also felt it detracted from the story, and my respect for the male characters.

This is just some food for thought, so I honestly don’t require a response to this. I’m not writing this to demand an explanation from you, I just merely wanted to let you know how I felt as a reader.

Thank you for your time. I do sincerely look forward to finishing the rest of this book.

Sarah Harrison