Review by MagicToDo930 -- The Banned Book about Love
-
MagicToDo930
- Posts: 48
- Joined: 11 Jul 2016, 14:24
- Currently Reading: The Witchfinder's Sister
- Bookshelf Size: 60
- Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-magictodo930.html
- Latest Review: "Solaris Seethes (Solaris Saga book 1)" by Janet McNulty
- Reading Device: 1400697484
Review by MagicToDo930 -- The Banned Book about Love
[Following is the official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Banned Book about Love" by Scott Hughes.]
2 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
The Banned Book About Love by Scott Hughes is a nonfiction book that was originally released on Amazon. Unfortunately, due to its nature and how it was perceived, the book was banned. Hughes was donating 10 cents of each sale to a charity that helped those who were victims of sexual assault, but many who didn't bother to read the book and only read the summary took the meaning of the book a different way. They found Hughes' approach on such a serious topic to be sympathizing with the rapist the book is about, though the book goes deeper. Hughes believed that if the people took the time to actually read his book, they would see he didn't love or sympathize with the rapist at all.
Reading the book, I kept my mind open to what Hughes said about the topic he wrote about and to see if there was a reason to ban this book. I ha a problem with the author claiming that if you're a people person and love everyone unconditionally, then you should love those who have done horrible crimes, such as rapists. How is it possible for one to forgive someone who has done this crime? Yes, it is important to forgive people, but I do believe there is an extent and that some actions, people cannot forgive a person for committing. A line needs to be drawn, especially when it comes to rapists. I couldn't grasp Hughes' idea about not wanting a rapist to be hurt or to suffer. I doubt victims of rape would feel the same way. Most people who were hurt by others would want to see them suffer, as they believe it was deserved.
Hughes wants the reader to feel that you should love and bless your enemies. Is that even possible? People are your enemies for a reason and it would be a better idea to stay away from them, rather than to love them and bless them, saying that you want what is best for them in life. Why would you want to see them happy if they make you miserable? Most of the time, these people never learn their lesson and will continue to hurt others. What would be the point in blessing them? I failed to understand this idea while reading.
In the book, there was one line that struck me as odd and I couldn't wrap my mind around how the author could say such a thing. Hughes stated that one should love horrible people, such as rapists, terrorists, child molesters, and racists. How can a person who claims to not sympathize with rapists say such a line? I would never forgive anyone who committed any of the said crimes and this statement almost made me want to stop reading the book. I was beginning to see the reason why people were against the book, to me it seemed the author cared more about the criminals than the victims.
One thing I did agree with was when Hughes said hating is easier than loving. I think that is why there is so much hate in the world because people would rather hate those that are different than to take time and get to know the people and love them. Again, this goes back to my other point that there is a certain extent. Can you love someone who sexually assaulted you? I'm sure if you ask those who are victims, they would say you can't love that person.
I rated this book 2 out of 4 stars because of how Hughes comes across talking about the nature of rape and sexual assault. Even reading the book I found it hard to believe he didn't sympathize with the rapist. Victims may not agree with his points made in this book and I wouldn't blame them. In person experience, I once was touched by a stranger who grabbed me and refused to let me leave a store I was in and no one came to help me. Did I forgive that guy? No. Did I say everything was fine and I should love him? No. Unless you've been through such a scary ordeal, I don't think one can say how a person should feel. There were some good points made by Hughes, which is what made me give this book this rating because deep down I can understand what he was trying to get it, but many may not understand his points. Do I feel that this book should've been banned? No, because I am against books being banned in general. However, I do think it should've been written with a warning in the summary that this topic and book may not be for everyone.
I find it hard to recommend this book to anyone because it may bring up horrible memories for people who have gone through assaults. And those who haven't, I think they would find it hard to believe anyone could forgive criminals that have done these acts. I think there could've been a better way for Hughes to get his point across about forgiving people for what they have done, perhaps with a different topic that wasn't heavy and controversial as sexual assault.
******
The Banned Book about Love
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like MagicToDo930's review? Post a comment saying so!
2 out of 4 stars
Share This Review
The Banned Book About Love by Scott Hughes is a nonfiction book that was originally released on Amazon. Unfortunately, due to its nature and how it was perceived, the book was banned. Hughes was donating 10 cents of each sale to a charity that helped those who were victims of sexual assault, but many who didn't bother to read the book and only read the summary took the meaning of the book a different way. They found Hughes' approach on such a serious topic to be sympathizing with the rapist the book is about, though the book goes deeper. Hughes believed that if the people took the time to actually read his book, they would see he didn't love or sympathize with the rapist at all.
Reading the book, I kept my mind open to what Hughes said about the topic he wrote about and to see if there was a reason to ban this book. I ha a problem with the author claiming that if you're a people person and love everyone unconditionally, then you should love those who have done horrible crimes, such as rapists. How is it possible for one to forgive someone who has done this crime? Yes, it is important to forgive people, but I do believe there is an extent and that some actions, people cannot forgive a person for committing. A line needs to be drawn, especially when it comes to rapists. I couldn't grasp Hughes' idea about not wanting a rapist to be hurt or to suffer. I doubt victims of rape would feel the same way. Most people who were hurt by others would want to see them suffer, as they believe it was deserved.
Hughes wants the reader to feel that you should love and bless your enemies. Is that even possible? People are your enemies for a reason and it would be a better idea to stay away from them, rather than to love them and bless them, saying that you want what is best for them in life. Why would you want to see them happy if they make you miserable? Most of the time, these people never learn their lesson and will continue to hurt others. What would be the point in blessing them? I failed to understand this idea while reading.
In the book, there was one line that struck me as odd and I couldn't wrap my mind around how the author could say such a thing. Hughes stated that one should love horrible people, such as rapists, terrorists, child molesters, and racists. How can a person who claims to not sympathize with rapists say such a line? I would never forgive anyone who committed any of the said crimes and this statement almost made me want to stop reading the book. I was beginning to see the reason why people were against the book, to me it seemed the author cared more about the criminals than the victims.
One thing I did agree with was when Hughes said hating is easier than loving. I think that is why there is so much hate in the world because people would rather hate those that are different than to take time and get to know the people and love them. Again, this goes back to my other point that there is a certain extent. Can you love someone who sexually assaulted you? I'm sure if you ask those who are victims, they would say you can't love that person.
I rated this book 2 out of 4 stars because of how Hughes comes across talking about the nature of rape and sexual assault. Even reading the book I found it hard to believe he didn't sympathize with the rapist. Victims may not agree with his points made in this book and I wouldn't blame them. In person experience, I once was touched by a stranger who grabbed me and refused to let me leave a store I was in and no one came to help me. Did I forgive that guy? No. Did I say everything was fine and I should love him? No. Unless you've been through such a scary ordeal, I don't think one can say how a person should feel. There were some good points made by Hughes, which is what made me give this book this rating because deep down I can understand what he was trying to get it, but many may not understand his points. Do I feel that this book should've been banned? No, because I am against books being banned in general. However, I do think it should've been written with a warning in the summary that this topic and book may not be for everyone.
I find it hard to recommend this book to anyone because it may bring up horrible memories for people who have gone through assaults. And those who haven't, I think they would find it hard to believe anyone could forgive criminals that have done these acts. I think there could've been a better way for Hughes to get his point across about forgiving people for what they have done, perhaps with a different topic that wasn't heavy and controversial as sexual assault.
******
The Banned Book about Love
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Like MagicToDo930's review? Post a comment saying so!
Latest Review: "Solaris Seethes (Solaris Saga book 1)" by Janet McNulty
