Were you offended by the incestuous relationship between Billy and Tasha

ianfrb77 · Post by **ianfrb77** » 19 Oct 2018, 19:48

Even if there was any, thos eare morally-based issues. To me, that'd be just fine if that's what makes them happy.

Caylie_Cat · Post by **Caylie_Cat** » 20 Oct 2018, 02:31

It isn't the 'incestuous relationship' that bothers me- it's the cavalier and disrespectful attitude Hiram displayed when he advised Billie not to get either of Carole's girls pregnant if Billie 'had to have them'. What a wonderful role-model! Then when informed of the pregnancy, Hiram's first thought was to have his grandson aborted so it wouldn't affect Billie's future- callous much?

cpru68 · Post by **cpru68** » 20 Oct 2018, 16:25

In a way, I thought it was sad. Both of the kids were basically left to fend for themselves with dad off sleeping around with anything that moved, and the mom just so unhappy at home that she didn't really pay attention to what went on. I think the author was trying to shock the reader with the whole thing, and for me, it fell flat. I read it and thought..oh, well. I just didn't find myself very connected to any of the characters.

Post by **Mallory Porshnev** » 21 Oct 2018, 08:56

jenjayfromSA wrote: ↑11 Oct 2018, 06:19 Frankly, I don't see a problem. They were not raised as brother and sister and they are not biologically related. Their parents married and they share a house, which probably neither of them wanted to do. I don't see it as incestuous.

I agree. Although a bit strange and awkward to read, I don't really see a problem with it either. They were not actually related.

Laura Del · Post by **Laura Del** » 21 Oct 2018, 13:50

If they're not related by blood than it's not incest. Is it normal/moral? Well that's up to you. But technically it's not incest. I'm also never offended by fiction... but that's just me.

Samisah · Post by **Samisah** » 21 Oct 2018, 16:32

I get that the american culture doesn't really see this as strange but in my part of the world, its abominable because by the reason of their parents union, there are legally and culturally siblings. So such sexual thoughts would not be tolerated.

JR Mercier · Post by **JR Mercier** » 22 Oct 2018, 01:28

I don't think it's incest because there is no blood relation. It might be a bit uncomfortable but at the end of the day, they aren't really related.

joshfee77 · Post by **joshfee77** » 22 Oct 2018, 02:10

Though technically they're not related, I do see this as incest. It doesn't seem right to me for two people who have become step-siblings to form a relationship. Maybe I'm a bit old-fashioned...

Melchi Asuma · Post by **Melchi Asuma** » 22 Oct 2018, 03:03

It was not incentuous considering that it is a step-relationship. For that reason, I think that they should be allowed to be and flourish.

Moddesser Elahi · Post by **Moddesser Elahi** » 22 Oct 2018, 07:50

I did not find it offensive but definitely unconventional. And so because it was a romantic relationship within a family. Billy and Tasha were not brother and sister by blood but from two different wives of Hiram Mcdowell.

Post by **Waragu Samuel** » 22 Oct 2018, 08:35

Yes I was offended. Incest of Billy and Tasha, as any other such act is one that did put me off

MrsCatInTheHat · Post by **MrsCatInTheHat** » 22 Oct 2018, 16:38

Life In Books wrote: ↑22 Oct 2018, 07:50 I did not find it offensive but definitely unconventional. And so because it was a romantic relationship within a family. Billy and Tasha were not brother and sister by blood but from two different wives of Hiram Mcdowell.

True. Tasha is not Hiram's biological child. Billie is his bio son.

Ctcntry4 · Post by **Ctcntry4** » 22 Oct 2018, 18:55

I was a little offended by it even though they were not biologically related. There was also the fact the Tasha pressured Billie into most of it before he finally decided to like it and want her that I didn’t like.

amandathebibliophile · Post by **amandathebibliophile** » 22 Oct 2018, 21:12

I'm not sure I'd say I was offended, but I was definitely left feeling uncomfortable by this relationship. Though, I suppose it was somewhat redeeming that Billie married Tasha and they ended up seemingly pretty happy. I wonder whether the initial weirdness this relationship gave me was in how it was described so abruptly when they were teenagers. The way it was described was dark and icky for sure!

Post by **Theresa Moffitt** » 24 Oct 2018, 15:33

While they are not blood relatives, I did find the relationship between Billie and Tasha a little on the creepy side, especially when you think that they are being raised as brother and sister at least for the time period Tasha’s mother is married to Billie’s father. It furthers the story and gives background to the characters, but it’s a little distasteful, in my opinion.