When it comes to romance, there are certain things that will make me put a book down. Un-hero like behavior is one of them. I'm not saying that heroes should be perfect angels. That would make them boring. They have to have flaws. But there are flaws that would make me stop reading. Fast. Here are a few.
Verbal abuse. A hero that calls a heroine a disgusting name is one such behavior. Calling the heroine a slut, bitch, c*nt, or whore is unacceptable. But there are exceptions to this rule. If the heroine is a prostitute, then the shoe fits if he calls her a whore. Isn't that what a prostitute is? I once read a book (actually I read half of it) where the heroine slept with the hero on their wedding night, then he sailed for America. By page three hundred, she hadn't slept with him again, but she had slept with every other male character in the story. I couldn't finish it.
Rape. A hero that rapes a heroine turns me off. Dubious consent is one thing, but flat out rape is a different story. It's brutal, demeaning, and has nothing to do with love or romance.
Violence against the heroine. If this happens, it'd better be the villain that does it. I abhor a man that hits a woman in anger. To me, this makes a man a punk. It's abuse plain and simple. And to have her declare her undying love at the end? Really? To her abuser? That's a throw the book across the room moment.
What about you? What do you consider un-hero like behavior?
Verbal abuse. A hero that calls a heroine a disgusting name is one such behavior. Calling the heroine a slut, bitch, c*nt, or whore is unacceptable. But there are exceptions to this rule. If the heroine is a prostitute, then the shoe fits if he calls her a whore. Isn't that what a prostitute is? I once read a book (actually I read half of it) where the heroine slept with the hero on their wedding night, then he sailed for America. By page three hundred, she hadn't slept with him again, but she had slept with every other male character in the story. I couldn't finish it.
Rape. A hero that rapes a heroine turns me off. Dubious consent is one thing, but flat out rape is a different story. It's brutal, demeaning, and has nothing to do with love or romance.
Violence against the heroine. If this happens, it'd better be the villain that does it. I abhor a man that hits a woman in anger. To me, this makes a man a punk. It's abuse plain and simple. And to have her declare her undying love at the end? Really? To her abuser? That's a throw the book across the room moment.
What about you? What do you consider un-hero like behavior?
I think you pretty much nailed it with these. Something I hate to see in novels is unnecessary multilpe partners. If you have two characters that are madly in love please don't have them engage in a 3-way or 4-way or whatever. It ruins the story and makes their "true love" unbelievable. Just my opinion:)
ReplyDeleteYup, I agree with you on all counts. Although I like to see the hero grow, if he's too much of an a-hole to start with, I won't stick around to see how he comes out.
ReplyDeleteAgree, agree, agree! And I know heros are supposed to be Alpha - but I think there is a difference in Alpha behavior and plain old jerks...it's a fine line but it needs to be there.
ReplyDeleteYup, you nailed it. Add animal abuse in there, too.
ReplyDeleteIf he was any of those things to other people, I think I'd also climb off board. Like if he yelled at his mom or his daughter. I hate that as well.
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