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Where to start with The Dresden Files?
(lemm.ee)
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this post was submitted on 01 Sep 2023
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It's an in-character perspective of Dresden, meant to be a character quirk. Jim writes short stories from other perspectives without the same issues, and none of his other series have it either. Unfortunately many readers confuse character perspective with author opinion.
In this case OC just said “he” and could be talking about Harry. Some people also just don’t wanna read that kind of perspective.
It’s also strange that like… every single woman in the series (including a teenager) want to sleep with Harry. There’s nothing wrong with somebody not enjoying reading things like that. Whether the author thinks that way or it’s just a character trait of the main character in the series, a lot of people just don’t want to read constant misogyny.
I can think of quite a few women in the series who aren't sexually interested in Harry. Probably more than actually are interested in him, when I think about it. So calling it 'every single woman' is definitely a stretch
Sorry the “like” usually signifies hyperbole for me and those I generally talk to. Im not saying it’s every woman literally. Just… definitely a lot.
But let’s talk about why people wouldn’t want to read the series. Let’s talk about why people might think the series has things in it that are weird towards women. (For the record, a lot of the series gave me cringes, but I personally stopped reading because by the time peace talks came out I didn’t care anymore. And ghost stories was awful. I do agree with OC that it just keeps getting weirder about women).
Im not going to copy the passage. Im not going to paste an image. Harry Dresden describing his 16 year old apprentice (his friends daughter) felt the need to describe her breasts “straining” her tank top. Then, felt the need to describe her nipple piercings. Then says he didn’t want to know why else was pierced even if it was “a little intriguing”. I think that was also the longest description of a person until that point. I get that you like the series. I liked quite a bit of it myself. I don’t understand how you can’t comprehend that there are valid reasons to think the series is weird about women.
This was a better argument before Butcher realized he'd need to retcon Molly's age to not completely disgust the readers, or the events of the latest book and the presumed direction of the next.
I've heard that argument before, and fine, I guess, but I have 0 interest in reading a story from the perspective of a pedo.
I doubt the pedo label applies. What does he do or say that would justify calling him that? I'm guessing you've never actually read the story?
Ive read 15ish of them. Peace talks I think was last. On multiple occasions throughout the series he talks about how he thinks of the carpenter girls as children, comments some crap about knowing them in diapers right before going on to talk about their tits.
And given how Molly is hitting on him and he makes it very clear to her that it's not gonna happen, ever, I believe he doesn't deserve the label. We judge people by their actions, not by the private thoughts in their minds. We can't control our thoughts, only our actions.
Before molly is his apprentice, he talks about her all creepy. Not even talking about that scene.
And that's fine, you believe whatever you want. I haven't said he is a bad person just that reading it isn't something I want to do. I'm going to let people know what they're gonna have to put up with, cause Dresden is a creepy fkn dude.
I've read all of them. I've read other novels with character perspectives about women even worse than the dresden files. However, there are some times where I had to put the book down because it felt... gross. Like unreasonable wish fulfillment that adds nothing to the story.
I think its the fact that it's the only area in which the reader is supposed to believe that Harry might not be the most reliable narrator? And other characters are kind of guilty of it too.
Again, I've read all of them. I probably will continue to read the series as my library gets them available. I like the magic system. I like the world building and the rules. I just find some of Harry's perspective icky.
Unreliable narrator isn't the way I'd put it. See https://www.reddit.com/r/dresdenfiles/comments/10vlsra/harry_is_not_an_unreliable_narrator/. It's, as you say, Harry's perspective. Yes, we may not agree with it, but I can't say I find it unrealistic given the genre and his personal history.
In fact, I find it an intriguing moral discussion. Do we judge Harry for his private thoughts, or for his actions? In the real world, the answer would obviously be actions. We are none of us fully in control of our thoughts or urges. The fact that he behaves as a gentleman at all times should be lauded. Instead, many readers seem to think that he should be pure in heart and soul, and hold him to an unreasonably high moral standard.
I just like to not be reminded of the creepy guy in a friend's circle that everyone kind of pities so they don't chase them off for fear of being mean. But then that guy gets progressively more gropey when he gives a hug, starts making more comments about everyone woman's body in the group. And hangs around encouraging women to drink to excess around him.
Tldr: I like to like the main character.
Well put
Honestly, has Harry actually done anything creepy? The point is that if we look at only his behaviour, he's basically a goody two shoes. It's only if you look within his thoughts that you see the demons within. Which he manages to keep well leashed
I understand that perspective but his "chivalry" at time smacks of chauvinism. And it does get repetitive listening to him justify it to himself (the reader).
Not to mention the whole of Butters' later romantic situation... which can't be attributed to Harry's perspective. Not that there is anything morally or legally wrong with it, it just feels unnecessary to include it. It diminished all the characters in my eyes.
Thank you for sharing the thread on his status as unreliable narrator, it was a good read.