Strong female characters
- chelhack
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Re: Strong female characters
- AntonelaMaria
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I like this topic too. Personally, for me strong heroine is someone who stands on her own and contributes to the plotline, is inspiring with her decisions. I like smart characters no matter the gender. It is a generalized discussion, I don't know different ways to have it.N_R wrote: ↑30 Dec 2019, 20:32 I always think that this topic is a funny one that gets all sorts of responses. A lot of women like to have a strong female character in a story and others like to have a strong male. It does seem to be a bit generational and I am wondering if others have noticed this?
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- nicole-adrianne
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I couldn't agree more! I felt like most of the female characters in this story were either incompetent or useless. They felt like token characters to me.amihughson wrote: ↑13 Dec 2019, 13:16 I have to disagree. I don't feel like the female characters really did anything to define themselves as strong. While it is interesting to note that the "bodyguards" are both females in a traditionally male role, as well as the terrorists team leader, them being female came across as inconsequential. Any single female character in this story could have been swapped for a man, and there would literally be no impact on the story itself, with perhaps the exception of Kelly. Kelly was written with more female mannerisms that even LGBT male characters would feel cliched if they exhibited the same behavior. As for strength, Kelly swaps between paranoia, hysterics and general uselessness. Tom showed just as much prowess with technology as Kelly is supposed to have (ie the part where he hacks into a database using his phone) and it seemed like Kelly's only real motivation to be part of "Team USA" was to keep an eye out for Tom and contribute to the supposed "romance" part of this novel. That's not exactly what I think of when I think of a strong female character.
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- AntonelaMaria
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Thinking more on it the also felt or read the same. For example, Agatha and Sharon are copy/ paste of each other. Except Sharon "relationship" with Steve.nicole-adrianne wrote: ↑01 Jan 2020, 14:07I couldn't agree more! I felt like most of the female characters in this story were either incompetent or useless. They felt like token characters to me.amihughson wrote: ↑13 Dec 2019, 13:16 I have to disagree. I don't feel like the female characters really did anything to define themselves as strong. While it is interesting to note that the "bodyguards" are both females in a traditionally male role, as well as the terrorists team leader, them being female came across as inconsequential. Any single female character in this story could have been swapped for a man, and there would literally be no impact on the story itself, with perhaps the exception of Kelly. Kelly was written with more female mannerisms that even LGBT male characters would feel cliched if they exhibited the same behavior. As for strength, Kelly swaps between paranoia, hysterics and general uselessness. Tom showed just as much prowess with technology as Kelly is supposed to have (ie the part where he hacks into a database using his phone) and it seemed like Kelly's only real motivation to be part of "Team USA" was to keep an eye out for Tom and contribute to the supposed "romance" part of this novel. That's not exactly what I think of when I think of a strong female character.
The Minpins by Roald Dahl
- Sharon2056
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- Kristin Ransome
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- AntonelaMaria
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Which one is your favorite or which one you would describe as the strong? I think that description is very subjective. I still had hard time connecting with them. You are right they needed more polishing.Firefawkes wrote: ↑01 Jan 2020, 18:08 I find not enough books include well-thought-out strong female characters, so I appreciated how the author obviously put thought and effort into portraying his characters as such, even if they could have used slightly more polishing.
The Minpins by Roald Dahl
- Kristin Ransome
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I just started reading this book, but I was initially impressed with Kelly's willingness to tour and explore by herself, something that I would relate to someone who is confident in themselves and their abilities. However, I found her inner monologue to be a little unrealistic and just not something that I would normally associate with a strong characterization.AntonelaMaria wrote: ↑01 Jan 2020, 18:16Which one is your favorite or which one you would describe as the strong? I think that description is very subjective. I still had hard time connecting with them. You are right they needed more polishing.Firefawkes wrote: ↑01 Jan 2020, 18:08 I find not enough books include well-thought-out strong female characters, so I appreciated how the author obviously put thought and effort into portraying his characters as such, even if they could have used slightly more polishing.
- AntonelaMaria
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Great example. She is curious. I would say even a little bit reckless. I think for me the main issue with her was later on when I thought Tom was taking her for granted. I wished for more a backbone from her.Firefawkes wrote: ↑01 Jan 2020, 18:56I just started reading this book, but I was initially impressed with Kelly's willingness to tour and explore by herself, something that I would relate to someone who is confident in themselves and their abilities. However, I found her inner monologue to be a little unrealistic and just not something that I would normally associate with a strong characterization.AntonelaMaria wrote: ↑01 Jan 2020, 18:16Which one is your favorite or which one you would describe as the strong? I think that description is very subjective. I still had hard time connecting with them. You are right they needed more polishing.Firefawkes wrote: ↑01 Jan 2020, 18:08 I find not enough books include well-thought-out strong female characters, so I appreciated how the author obviously put thought and effort into portraying his characters as such, even if they could have used slightly more polishing.
Happy reading for the rest of the book.
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- QiA
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I think it depends on someone's definition of being strong. I would agree with you that in the world today, women need to be empowered and to be helped to get a sense of value in the society which many book shows what's happening and real life examples of women who broke the code of intimidation in some of the most challenging contexts such as Politics and business.
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I like your description. I was reading through this discussion to see if this was a book I wanted to read. I like strong female characters that don't use their strength as an excuse to be nasty. That they are strong but still feminine really appeals to me. Thanks for sharing!Echo Haapala wrote: ↑13 Dec 2019, 20:22 I couldn’t agree more! They were all strong and powerful yet remained sexy and feminine.
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- Kristin Ransome
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Hmm I'm looking forward to seeing what the rest of the book brings for her, as well as see how the rest of the female characters are developed! ThanksAntonelaMaria wrote: ↑02 Jan 2020, 03:58Great example. She is curious. I would say even a little bit reckless. I think for me the main issue with her was later on when I thought Tom was taking her for granted. I wished for more a backbone from her.Firefawkes wrote: ↑01 Jan 2020, 18:56I just started reading this book, but I was initially impressed with Kelly's willingness to tour and explore by herself, something that I would relate to someone who is confident in themselves and their abilities. However, I found her inner monologue to be a little unrealistic and just not something that I would normally associate with a strong characterization.AntonelaMaria wrote: ↑01 Jan 2020, 18:16
Which one is your favorite or which one you would describe as the strong? I think that description is very subjective. I still had hard time connecting with them. You are right they needed more polishing.
Happy reading for the rest of the book.
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