Are love scenes in western novels written for mainly men or women or is it undefined?
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Kraigmo (
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May 15th, 2013
At the 99 Cent store I found a series of western novels called “The Trailsman”. They are action packed with good plot twists and are a fun read. But there’s something I noticed about them. Each of them contains 2 graphic love scenes taking about about a page and half each, basically porn in text form.
I’ve never seen this before. I always thought this type of writing was only in women’s romance novels.
Who are these love scenes written for? And why? Do men get off on this? Is it for women? Do they get off on it? And who wants to get off while reading a story? I don’t get it. It seems to be a heavy attempt at tittilation, but it doesn’t work on me, I can pretty much skip it. I am curious though as to why the porn-style love scenes are crowbarred into an otherwise action-oriented story. It certainly doesn’t contribute to the actual story, seeing as how that page and a half could be condensed into about 3 sentences. Who enjoys that type of scene in a book?
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7 Answers
Another generational thing. Back in the 60s and 70s, before VCR porn, steamy novels were pretty common. It was the staple of airport book shops, especially for traveling businessmen, who all seemed to read the same Harold Robbins novels.
So, a little sex to keep the blood flowing and get one in the mood for later. I think it was probably in a western action novel for the male reader.
A well-written sex scene in a book can contribute greatly to a story. However, there are a great many books that are not well-written in general, and their sex scenes even poorer in quality. These books I avoid like the plague.
A bit off-topic—I don’t read Western novels—but I think the gruff-but-loving relationship between Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman in “Unforgiven” is wonderfully written and acted.
I am pretty sure none of “Brokeback Mountain” was written for manly men.
@filmfann Gay men can’t be manly? a straight “manly” man can’t appreciate love between two men? C’mon…
I think that it is written in mind for both sexes.
The men to learn what some women want.
And the Women to enjoy the romace.
And the author to get MORE people reading there novels.
A marketing ploy.
It’s hard to tell if it’s written in omniscient third person. If it’s limited 3rd, was the book told from more of a male or female perspective? Who was the protagonist?
There’s a ton of porn targeted at men, and Fifty Shades of Grey is so popular with women, so it seems like women prefer to read and men prefer to watch.
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