Now that's a thread headline that'll get your attention!

It comes, however, from an email discussion I'm having with a fellow board member.

I've noticed that there are several FPW stories where children are horribly maimed and tortured, among them, "The Wringer," "Black Wind," and "Reprisal."

I don't know of another author, at least none with which I am familiar, who feels so.... umm, comfortable ... in writing about the awful abuse of children. Actually more than awful abuse, it's downright torture. Now, I have to say that I've been able to stomach the scenes, although I was more horrified by "Black Wind" than the others.

I think this is another facet of FPW that separates him from all the rest. He's willing to go where few others do.

Although, should the killing or torturing of animals ever happen, that is where I have to draw the line.

So what does that say about me, willing to read about the torture of children, but, for God's sake, DON'T KILL THE DOG!

You seem to be comparing the real-life killing of animals with the fictional torture of children. I'm sure you would also draw the line at the real-life torture of children also.

I, for one, think it says wonderful things about you. Cruelty of any form is not acceptable to you. This is a GOOD thing. There may be some on this board who view animals (pets) as mere property that a person can do with as they wish. I am not one of those people. A pet becomes a friend and part of the family in my opinion.

As for Paul's inclusion of such attrocities in his books, yes I do think that it is somewhat unique. Usually authors will save such tortures for adults, but Paul isn't afraid to cross that line. That is part of the reason why his horror stories are so ....horrific. What parent (not speaking from personal experience) isn't more afraid of their child coming to harm than themself?

Now that's a thread headline that'll get your attention!

It comes, however, from an email discussion I'm having with a fellow board member.

I've noticed that there are several FPW stories where children are horribly maimed and tortured, among them, "The Wringer," "Black Wind," and "Reprisal."

I don't know of another author, at least none which which I am familiar, who feels so.... umm, comfortable ... in writing about the awful abuse of children. Actually more than awful abuse, it's downright torture. Now, I have to say that I've been able to stomach the scenes, although I was more horrified by "Black Wind" than the others.

Another torture scene is in Gateways, but I wouldn't say that he's "comfortable" writing about it -- I know, you question the word too -- he presents it as the fiendish horror that it is. And I for one get a thrill out of RJ sending in the Mikulski(?) brothers to deal with the torturers.

I think this is another facet of FPW that separates him from all the rest. He's willing to go where few others do.

Although, should the killing or torturing of animals ever happen, that is where I have to draw the line.

So what does that say about me, willing to read about the torture of children, but, for God's sake, DON'T KILL THE DOG!

I think you really mean able rather than "willing" to read ...


It all makes me ill -- children or animals . . . even adults -- it's a sick, grotesque and hideous violation of the helpless.

Children or animals . . . there may be more to it, but mostly, I think it's a matter of taste. Or distaste as the case may be.

Ken V.

Didn't FPW say he had a very hard time writing that scene in Reprisal? And don't forget about the kids in The Haunted Air!


KRW

Didn't FPW say he had a very hard time writing that scene in Reprisal? And don't forget about the kids in The Haunted Air!

And on the animal side of the equation . . . Pelts.

Ken V.

You seem to be comparing the real-life killing of animals with the fictional torture of children...

I said no such thing. You need to be careful about putting words into other's mouths.

I wrote about FPW's use of the torture of children in several of his books OF FICTION. I did not bring REALITY into the discussion AT ALL.

When I referenced killing animals, I WAS REFERENCING FICTION, TOO!

"Old Yeller" killed me, and I saw it for the first time as an adult! I never had human children but I've had lots of wonderful canine and feline children. They are my heart.

I, for one, think it says wonderful things about you. Cruelty of any form is not acceptable to you. This is a GOOD thing.

Thanks.

As for Paul's inclusion of such attrocities in his books, yes I do think that it is somewhat unique. Usually authors will save such tortures for adults, but Paul isn't afraid to cross that line. That is part of the reason why his horror stories are so ....horrific. What parent (not speaking from personal experience) isn't more afraid of their child coming to harm than themself?

Exactly.

I knew I'd stir things up with this post.

Let me set my record straight.

I cannot abide torture in any form, who can? Except for those horribly twisted non-humans among us delight in perpetrating such atrocities.

I know that Paul is not an advocate of torture. I do marvel at his extraordinarily effective use of it in so many of his books. He can write about torture in such a way that those of us who cannot even bear to comtemplate such things, not only think about them but read avidly and want more...not more torture but more story.

When I say that Paul is "comfortable" in writing about torture, I don't mean that these horrific images come unbidden to his mind and he revels in them. I suspect, being the humane physician that he is (whose Hypocratic oath is "First Do No Harm"), that he has to take himself to some very dark places that are very different from the normal world he inhabits.

What I am saying is that he can use torture, the most awful, horrific, unmentionable action that one human being can wreak upon another, especially torture of children, to rock our worlds, horrify us, make a point, and have us come back for more.

Not many can do that.

I said no such thing. You need to be careful about putting words into other's mouths.

I wrote about FPW's use of the torture of children in several of his books OF FICTION. I did not bring REALITY into the discussion AT ALL.

When I referenced killing animals, I WAS REFERENCING FICTION, TOO!

JEEEZ!!! Back off a little! And stop yelling. What you said was that you could read about the torture of children but "DON"T KILL THE DOG," not that you can't read about killing a dog. It's like you are trying to pick a fight. You left it dangling, not me. Make yourself clear instead of accusing me of misinterpreting all the time. That bandwagon is quite full enough, thank you.

Sorry, next time I will think twice before trying to compliment you.

The thing I absolutely love about his writing is that those who hurt children DO NOT SURVIVE. Keep in mind I haven't read the A/C yet, or Black Wind.


*****THE HAUNTED AIR SPOILER BELOW!!*********






Take, for instance, The Haunted Air. I don't have the book with me, so I can't quote, but the piece of shit child molester got a fork jabbed into his brain via his eye. . . . . I'm about to gag just thinking about it, but I LOVE THAT SCENE! I used to think that all child molesters should be castrated, this was better. I think the fact that FPW doesn't let these bastards live is a testament to the fact that he despises this type of behavior. I don't think I could read it if the bad guys actually got away with hurting kids.
And it does increase the horror of the story. As a parent, I can say without a doubt that I wouldn't want someone who tortured my son to live. Justice system or not, nothing the system could dish out would be good enough.

I've noticed this as well. I guess what i got out most of it, is that Paul is not afraid to deal with these things (even if it's peripheral writing, so to speak) because child abuse is hardly in the mainstream. The fact that he never lets them get away with it, is just an added bonus of awesomeness.