Emotional Heft

[susandennis]

I am sick of emotional heft. This is a phrase I learned this week when Audible.Com sent me a marketing email suggesting I try out the genre of Mysteries with Emotional Heft.  I was delighted because finally I had a name for a type of mystery story that bugs the shit out of me. I've never liked cozies but they are very easy to sport and so avoid.

But Mysteries with Emotional Heft are disguised as thrillers and with strong characters but turn out to be the opposite.

I just heard a 'news' story with the same problem. Give me the news. I will figure out what emotion suits me to put on those facts. I do NOT need or want a 'reporter' to feed me the emotions he or she thinks I should feel to match the story.

Having my emotions specifically tapped, pulled and manipulated just pisses me off. I am smart enough to know how I want to feel given circumstances. I do not need anyone to tell me how I should feel or how they want me to feel.

I think Emotional Heft is condescending and insulting.

But I am delighted now to have a name for it.

Comments

[asher63.livejournal.com]

Mysteries with Emotional Heft: MEH.

[susandennis]

Exactly!

[luzclarita.livejournal.com]

My husband hates that same thing

[badrobot68.livejournal.com]

Ha, I must agree & it's good to have a term for it.

[meowmensteen]

To avoid it you would have to listen to NPR about 20 years ago.

[susandennis]

Yes. Because, as you clearly sumized, this entry was brought to you by 3 back to back NPR "news" stories this morning.

NPR Not So Much News But Clear Direction About How You Should Feel Hearing About Recent Events.

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

When I worked in a book shop we used to refer to certain kinds of books that were all about manipulating the reader's emotions, as "emotional porn." (usually stuff about people having miserable lives.) Sold like hotcakes.

[susandennis]

Ha! I would favor the Emotional Porn category except I hate the stuff so much, that I feel badly giving Porn a bad name!

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

Ha!
So what were the last couple of books that you read, that you really enjoyed?

[susandennis]

Sadly, I haven't LOVED many lately.

Probably my favorite is The Martian

And then

The Whites

Shining City

The Fixer

[gfrancie.livejournal.com]

do you ever read/listen to spy novels?

[susandennis]

You know, I don't. I should and I always mean to. But, I don't. The closest I come to it is assassin novels which I oddly adore.

I keep thinking when I run out of other stuff, I will but... I'm having a hard time running out of other stuff. Audible told me yesterday that no fewer than six of my favorite authors have stuff coming out in the next few months. I am behind already!! (Here's the top of my To Read When They Are Released list.)

[susandennis]

You reminded me of this old web page ... which with the Goodreads insert is actually up to date!

http://susandennis.com/bookindex.htm

[aubkabob.livejournal.com]

I concur with every word. I shall think of this phrase often.