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Do you feel that the explicit scenes in the book added to the plot? Or were they unnecessary? Why?

I think the point of them was to show that 2015 wasn't as uptight regarding sexual preferences as Jennifer originally thought it would be. But the number of encounters she was having got to the point where it was almost comical. Suddenly everyone she had met wanted to have sex with her. It was unrealistic and the scenes weren't even written very well. This isn't an exact quote because I didn't write it down, but one of the characters says to Jennifer something like "okay, I think we should have sex now" kind of just out of nowhere. The scenes just didn't flow naturally and I feel like some of them were added for shock value more than anything else.

See, that's kind of what I thought. Regardless of whether I personally am comfortable with explicit scenes or not, there are some instances where it's acceptable and adds to the plot for one reason or another. This seemed a little over the top to me, though, either way.

I think the point of the explicit scenes was to develop the theme of polyamory relationships, which oddly enough was mostly discussed in the second half of the book. However, I did think the author over did it. My conclusion was that the book discussed several scientific concepts, and as a result, the author included the over the top erotic part to make the story exciting.

The explicit scenes are the only thing drawing me to this book at the moment, but that's just out of morbid curiosity aha

Yolimari wrote:I think the point of the explicit scenes was to develop the theme of polyamory relationships, which oddly enough was mostly discussed in the second half of the book. However, I did think the author over did it. My conclusion was that the book discussed several scientific concepts, and as a result, the author included the over the top erotic part to make the story exciting.

I quite agree. It's a sort of tactic to make a book as relatable to general life as possible when explicit scenes are thrown in to take of the sting of unfamiliar or undesirable concepts. Sometimes, the purpose is achieved, other times, it keeps a potential reader at bay.

I considered the explicit scenes unnecessary. They did nothing to further what little plot there was and became totally tedious. I started flipping pages - not another one ... I didn't even care who was doing what to who. I don't have a problem with this stuff, but this was boring. It was also unlikely. Yes, Jennifer is apparently a sex bomb, but suddenly everyone else is too? And everyone is suddenly panting for the opportunity to the point where it is the only thing on their minds? Boring ...

I found the scenes a bit unnecessary. They really didn't add any value to the storyline. If it were only one or two scenes, it probably wouldn't have become such an issue. Explicit scenes have a place in certain books and in certain situations. I just don't think it flowed naturally in this particular book. Maybe the author was trying to attract fans of several genres by including different factors, such as the erotic scenes, time travel, etc.

I believe there were simply too many scenes like this, to the point it seemed unrealistic. It seemed unnatural and out of place at certain points in the story.

radioactivelyradiant wrote:I believe there were simply too many scenes like this, to the point it seemed unrealistic. It seemed unnatural and out of place at certain points in the story.

Very true. After awhile, it was far too commonplace. I also find it odd that so many of the characters were okay with significant others engaging in sexual acts so often with other people. Open relationships are nothing new. But, every single person isn't okay with it. It's too unrealistic, even for fiction.

I don't mind explicit scenes from time to time. Most of the ones in this book deterred from the main storyline. I found it frustrating in many ways.

CatInTheHat wrote:I don't mind explicit scenes from time to time. Most of the ones in this book deterred from the main storyline. I found it frustrating in many ways.

It really was frustrating … you're right. It got to a point where I would get a little annoyed each time another scene began.

These are all my thoughts exactly. Yes, sometimes there is a purpose to an explicit scene. However, it irks the crap out of me when it seems like an author does it just to... What? Sell books? Sometimes that's what it seems like.

I think they are unnecessary. It just paints an unrealistic and damming picture of Jennifer. Almost all her bravery and intellectual prowess is cancelled by this unrealistic promiscuous mode. You must be really sick or a prostitute to live such a promiscuous life.

kandscreeley wrote: by kandscreeley » Yesterday, 09:02

These are all my thoughts exactly. Yes, sometimes there is a purpose to an explicit scene. However, it irks the crap out of me when it seems like an author does it just to... What? Sell books? Sometimes that's what it seems like.

I agree that it was probably just a selling point. No other reason makes sense, since the scenes didn't add anything to the story. However, it seems to be one of the least liked features of the book by quite a few readers.