MILF fantasies and mental health

[shannonkate8]

I'm pretty sure the author is well aware of the Oedipus complex, and was very consciously using it.

In regards to you "not being a dude", don't worry! Carl Jung postulated the Elektra complex so we wouldn't feel left out (it's pretty much the same as Oedipus but with inverted genders).

I wasn't sure if they were consiously using it or not. I suppose we wouldn't know without asking them outright!
Regarding the Electra Complex - Yes! I'm aware of that one. They're often lumped together under the one term. As for the 'not a dude' comment, I meant along the lines that I don't know how common it is with males or if it occurs more frequently with men versus women. I haven't read any recent research (I did for my degrees years ago) so I'm not sure what all the researchers are saying.

[mariana90]

So, ultimately, just a shock-value-only, unnecessary cheap trick.

My feelings exactly.

[Howlan]

So, ultimately, just a shock-value-only, unnecessary cheap trick.

My feelings exactly.

Yes, if the author wanted to show that Adam and Carly have a strong bond, then there were other ways to do so, not by adding some cheap gimmick like this.

[Beatus]

I believe you can find a lot of reasons to disagree with how the author described the personalities of the characters. However, you can also find a lot of angles where there is relevant reasons. So it is just how you position your perspective.

[amandathebibliophile]

I haven’t read the book, but I recognize an Oedipus Complex when I see one Without knowing more, it’s hard to guess for sure, but I suspect shock value might have played a role. My interest is definitely piqued!

[aacodreanu]

I found it quite off-putting too. I think it was the result of the well-known writer's advice: hook your readers with the first 10 pages. But I think she messed it up because it didn't hook me at all, quite the contrary.

I did not get that far myself but had I done so, I would also have been put off. Interesting though what this says about the readers. We were probably not among the target readers this time. Quite understandable considering the long long time since I've been a "young adult".

[Laura Lee]

I did not get that far myself but had I done so, I would also have been put off. Interesting though what this says about the readers. We were probably not among the target readers this time. Quite understandable considering the long long time since I've been a "young adult".

Same here. But that, in turn, begs the question: is this something that is really appropriate for teens?

[redrockwolf]

I found it to be a huge part of the story. It was one of the big questions that needed an answer. I feel that the author's taking it almost to the extreme was more for shock value. But, for the most part, his obsession over his mother caused the most significant points in his darkness. It was integral to the overall story.

[LyorBoone]

Though the this MILG issue is controversial and sensitive at the same time, it is also very intriguing and unusual to be tackled in a novel. I would like to read this book and probably do my research also regarding this issue on mental health.

I would add that it is extra odd to be tackled in a fantasy tale. It's a unique story point for sure, but in a world of fantasy one generally expects an escape from the strangeness in our world in favor of finding a fantastical world to explore. A pilgrim effect. Some may argue this inclusion makes the story more gritty, but I'm one that finds it an odd subplot for the genre. I think it works better in a story like the Bate's Motel series' exploration of Psycho where the audience seeks to understand a creepy character created by the strangeness of the world we live in.

[Misael Carlos]

Though the this MILG issue is controversial and sensitive at the same time, it is also very intriguing and unusual to be tackled in a novel. I would like to read this book and probably do my research also regarding this issue on mental health.

I would add that it is extra odd to be tackled in a fantasy tale. It's a unique story point for sure, but in a world of fantasy one generally expects an escape from the strangeness in our world in favor of finding a fantastical world to explore. A pilgrim effect. Some may argue this inclusion makes the story more gritty, but I'm one that finds it an odd subplot for the genre. I think it works better in a story like the Bate's Motel series' exploration of Psycho where the audience seeks to understand a creepy character created by the strangeness of the world we live in.

I agree with you. I also think, this issue could be a start of this plot being explored and create a surge of stories anchored on it. Very odd and gritty, though not impossible, but creative nonetheless. Creative mind at its best!

[Miller56]

When I first started reading the book, I thought the behavior of Adam toward his parents was sickening. I was glad that by the end of the story the author provided an understanding of the behavior. It was very uncomfortable to read and it made me dislike Adam in the beginning.

[mariana90]

I'm pretty sure the author is well aware of the Oedipus complex, and was very consciously using it.

In regards to you "not being a dude", don't worry! Carl Jung postulated the Elektra complex so we wouldn't feel left out (it's pretty much the same as Oedipus but with inverted genders).

I wasn't sure if they were consiously using it or not. I suppose we wouldn't know without asking them outright!
Regarding the Electra Complex - Yes! I'm aware of that one. They're often lumped together under the one term. As for the 'not a dude' comment, I meant along the lines that I don't know how common it is with males or if it occurs more frequently with men versus women. I haven't read any recent research (I did for my degrees years ago) so I'm not sure what all the researchers are saying.

LOL, I was just joking.

I'm currently reading The Stages of Life (2017) by Hugh Crago and he talks about both complexes as being very common. He doesn't explicitly say that one is more predominant than the other, but from his words I infer that there isn't a marked difference in their frequency either way.

In regards as to the author knowing about the Oedipus Complex, being as well-read as she seems to be (I checked her profile online), I'm guessing she is very much aware of it.

[Katherine Smith]

When I first saw this question, I automatically thought of Freud and the Oedipus Complex. I think that the author included it for both reasons that you stated above. I think that the obvious one was shock value, but once he realized who he was it became more of plot line in the story. I think that anytime an author adds psychology to their book it makes the plot more interesting.

[Browlyns]

In my opinion it was mainly for trait identification of the character and nothing more.

[Howlan]

When I first saw this question, I automatically thought of Freud and the Oedipus Complex. I think that the author included it for both reasons that you stated above. I think that the obvious one was shock value, but once he realized who he was it became more of plot line in the story. I think that anytime an author adds psychology to their book it makes the plot more interesting.

Yes Carly's initial intuition of the fact that Adam and his mother were not blood-related explains a lot in the story.