Is Sex really necessary?

Use this forum to discuss the July 2020 Book of the month, "Zona: The Forbidden Land" by Fred G. Baker.
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Njokime
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Re: Is Sex really necessary?

Post by Njokime »

Sex is part of human nature, people are attracted to each other no matter the situation. People have sex even when there is a deadly pandemic. Personally I do not think the sex here was misplaced
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Post by Bisqwik »

I think this issue is likely going to depend on your own stance for how sex is viewed. Aside from the cause and effect of the hormone producing plants, testosterone coming to mind, it could just be that dalliances aren't considered a big deal by Grant. Maybe its cultural to some degree. Now, necessary to plot in general I can't speak to. I think it entirely is a case by case basis. I've had books I loved have a sex scene forced in and it just jars me. Then again I have read books where sex was integral to the story, not in a pornagraphic way but in story and character development. Some of Piers Anthony's work comes to mind.
If sex to a person is meant to be hidden, is shameful in some way, or just looked askance at because of whatever societal influence, then sex scenes are going to be jarring and maybe out of place. Or won't be a disturbance to the story unless it's very out of place.
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Post by zainherb »

Benita_umunakwe wrote: 01 Jul 2020, 16:25 It is human nature to have sexual urges and I think the author depicted the true human nature and I don't think it's for only readers who are fond of it.
I agree. It Is true human nature, and the author depicted it.
In many cases, in many books, sex scenes aren't necessary, but they're put in there anyway, for a variety of reasons.
And, sex sells, as they say.
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Post by shravsi »

While sex is a natural occurrence, I think the author took too far in this book. Grant had sex with Irina when he knew about the risks; it was immature. I would have enjoyed it more if Irina actually turned out to spy. She turned out to be the "damsel in distress" who needs Grant as her prince charming. I don't mind sex in a book but it should add to the story. Here it was used to boost Grant's ego.
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Post by Michelle Menezes »

I don't mind sex in any book including this one, but I feel there was too much focus on it. I did not like it as a central part of the plot.
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Post by t_mann23 »

I do think the sex was necessary to illustrate the science fiction aspect of Zona and what it was doing to everyone on the expedition. However, I thought that it was overdone quite a bit. After establishing their heightened sex drives a few times, it felt like overkill to have an account of every single sexual endeavor.
As for sexual content being necessary for fiction, I think it really depends on the author's preferences and the content of the story. Some authors and readers enjoy sex scenes, others don't. Although, genre and audience still matter; for example, putting a sex scene in a fantasy book for middle schoolers would probably not be a good idea.
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Post by Michelle Menezes »

t_mann23 wrote: 24 Jun 2021, 13:41 I do think the sex was necessary to illustrate the science fiction aspect of Zona and what it was doing to everyone on the expedition. However, I thought that it was overdone quite a bit. After establishing their heightened sex drives a few times, it felt like overkill to have an account of every single sexual endeavor.
As for sexual content being necessary for fiction, I think it really depends on the author's preferences and the content of the story. Some authors and readers enjoy sex scenes, others don't. Although, genre and audience still matter; for example, putting a sex scene in a fantasy book for middle schoolers would probably not be a good idea.
I agree with you completely. I do enjoy sex scenes in books, but then it also depends on how often it happens and what kind of book it is. In this case, the author could have limited it. But then again, sex sells, so maybe it was intentional.
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Post by Harty Muli »

This reflects human nature because human beings use sex as a means of leisure. So I think it was perfect for Grant to to have sexual dalliances after the end of a hard day.
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Post by Akshobhya B »

The author has given the reason behind the fact that all characters are horny. Also, all the sex scenes are written in a vague manner and not explained in details. The story is more of a fantasy adventure rather than a sci-fi.
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Post by Quinton Lester »

2 pregnancies?? Both supposed to be from Grant? With all the sex going on how can they be sure who's the father? Didn't Irana bring birth control for this very situation? why would he be happy about a pregnancy in the middle of an land where their future is uncertain at the time?
all the sex is completely unnecessary i feel it really does not add to the story it creates more unnecessary conflicts for them and takes away from the main story
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Post by Gabriella H »

I felt the sex was too much. Grant also irked me because he was sleeping with multiple women simultaneously, and he seemed to think with his balls. Also, he felt no guilt when he cheated on Irina, but I was also suspicious of her at that point, so oh well.

I found it odd that all the women were okay with him sleeping with them at the same thing, but oh well, different people, different opinions. It was also odd that they had so much time to have sex given their predicament, but that's the thing even in horror movies, some people still have time to have sex. I don't know how but well🤷🏽‍♀️. So, yeah, I guess to an extent, the author depicted human nature, some people will behave as they did, and others might not. All in all, I enjoyed the book. Grant was just annoying.
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Post by Nyasha Gogoma »

diana lowery wrote: 01 Jul 2020, 13:51 I think that the sex component was the science fiction element because it was caused by the hormone-producing plant that caused them all to be aroused and fertile. I don't think it was necessary to the story; I think it was annoying.
Thank you! I thought the story was very intriguing with some brilliant concepts. I enjoyed the author's writing style: I was captivated from the moment Grant disembarked the taxi on page 1! However, the author lost major brownie points with all the sex scenes. A handful at most are believable to support human nature, but I definitely found them to be annoying due to their frequency. I believe he was trying to gain the approval of the erotica crowd :roll2:
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Post by Hussein21 »

I do not believe sex is necessary in book but I think it was added to increase the romance in the book. Different people have different opinion of sexual content in the book but I believe it had its purpose.
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Post by Zelda Boshoff »

The sex scenes were a bit much, having sex with one partner should have been enough in this lovely novel.
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Post by Kathleen Wilcock »

While the book gave an explanation for the heightened sex drive, it sometimes felt that the book relied on sex to add a subplot that was unnecessary. The overemphasis of sex throughout the novel made the characters seemed more interested in sex than their actual mission of research and rescue.
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