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Featured on Buck Books
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Secret violence unpremeditated and vicarious
Red Herrings was featured on Book Goodies, but now it's
buried on the first page. I regret I don't keep up my website/blog, and would
love some input for future features if you could.
I thought I'd talk about violence, which many experience
vicariously through mysteries and thrillers. I just watched a Star Trek episode
which claimed that the "seeds of violence" are present in all of us.
Years ago in 1975 or 1976 two of my actions were violent, and though it didn't lead to post traumatic stress syndrome for the victim, still I feared that, and regretted the incidents very much. I've been told also that anyone can become violent if pushed far enough. At that time, I was being pushed, also, I was undiagnosed and unmedicated.
In 1984, when I was married to an emotionally/sexually abusive husband, after my first husband had died in a motorcycle accident 10 years before, I pounded my second husband on the back of his neck at one time, so frustrated and abused I felt.
Years ago in 1975 or 1976 two of my actions were violent, and though it didn't lead to post traumatic stress syndrome for the victim, still I feared that, and regretted the incidents very much. I've been told also that anyone can become violent if pushed far enough. At that time, I was being pushed, also, I was undiagnosed and unmedicated.
In 1984, when I was married to an emotionally/sexually abusive husband, after my first husband had died in a motorcycle accident 10 years before, I pounded my second husband on the back of his neck at one time, so frustrated and abused I felt.
I wonder if the violence present in movies and on TV appeals
to that part of the audience who are being "pushed too far" in life?
As I was, and reacted. I vowed never again to use violence or lust as an excuse for socially abusive behavior.
If you wish to experience vicarious violence, do read Red Herrings where two macabre, indeed disgusting, murders take place.
Imaginary and pretend, like my life has often been.
I think there's nothing wrong with humility, humanity, and
honesty. Talk tough, pound a pillow, or lose yourself in a good thriller. Don't use force or bully an innocent victim. I have grown gentle though I still love martial arts. It's possible to overcome a troubled childhood and a significant mental illness.
With love and persistence and honesty.
With love and persistence and honesty.
What's your favorite form of escapism? Is it a thriller, a crime
novel, a mystery? And why? What seeds of violence in yourself do they nourish? Or lust (close to violence, in my opinion)
This post brought to you by Red Herrings, a mystery thriller starring a schizophrenic private eye, a handsome detective, and two macabre murders to solve in a small island town in Canada.
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Hi Kenna. You asked for a comment (via LinkedIn), and here it is. I think modern society pushes us all, always, too far, so that we are all just on the brink of violence. Hence road rage and supermarket rage and every other kind of rage. Not a cheerful thought, I know.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Philip, that comment warms me though as you say, it's not a cheerful thought. I like to think I'm not so much different from the next gal or guy, and at the time I was indeed pushed beyond my limits. However, I do note even my Christian or more easygoing friends to suffer from road rage or political rage or other at one time or another, and wonder if perhaps a more idyllic time in the past was more relaxing and peaceful, or if the people simply hid their emotions at that time, and we're now encouraged to "let it all hang out" - sometimes with violent results or statements that cannot be taken back, like feathers from a down pillow blown on the wind?
ReplyDeleteUndoubtedly, today's news, movies, television, video games and other media bring violence into our homes to a degree unprecedented in the past. This may account for American society's apparent rising rage to some degree, and certainly accounts for copy-cat crimes. In America, there are political reasons for rage at this time, things being as they are. A majority of Congress openly hates and refuses to cooperate with our President. Laws are being introduced that can only be understood as hateful rages against gays, immigrants, blacks, veterans, foreigners, voting rights, women's rights and on and on. Yes, violence is made more prevalent now, being thrust into our lives as it is, and we are being pushed. Still, it comes down to personal accountability as to how each of us reacts to it. There are individuals who are warmongers and those who are peacemakers at heart -- as has always been the case. The more idyllic time in the past probably had just as many enraged people and as many crimes of hatred, but they were not thrust into our faces in the way they are today, in my opinion. We do well to monitor ourselves in order to maintain personal relaxation, peace and stability. You, Kenna, have decided to to so, and I am proud of your decision.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Judi. I think you're right, the past wasn't always so idyllic. But I remember when our neighbors and family didn't lock our doors.
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