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The Taming of the Duke: Spoiler Trail (A Rant)

[Note: If you haven’t read my review of the book first, you probably won’t know what I’m talking about. ]

Normally after I read a book, I put it back on the shelf (if I liked it) or toss it into the Salvation Army bin (if I hated it). Once it’s out of my sight, I completely forget about it and months down the road, I won’t even remember that I’ve read it before. That’s why I have to make sure that I put the books I didn’t like in a box meant to be donated because otherwise I might pick it up again and accidentally suffer the same pain I did when I first read it. Also, once I review the book on this site, I pretty much put the whole thing out of my mind and never think about it again because in my head, I’ve already done my obligation as a reader for it. But this book bothered me like no other because apparently, I was too dense to understand it. Fellow readers Jane and Devon had the same problem with this book as I did and pointed out a section on the author’s website (you have to register to get to it) where she elaborates on the whole thing and explains it for us plebian blockheads who don’t get “high-brow” literature. If you’ve read the book and you’re as stoooopid as we are, read it and you’ll get the a-ha! moment that you didn’t get while reading The Taming of the Duke. Oh, and this is a little note that prefaces it on the author’s website:

I’ve been running around all day, and managed to avoid writing this Bulletin — here it is, three in the afternoon. Finally, I asked myself: why are you so reluctant to do this? Here’s the answer: I’m afraid that someone’s experience of the book will be diminished once I announce the way I saw it.

There’s a kind of literary criticism that argues that we shouldn’t even bother talking about authors’ “intentions” because every reader essentially re-writes a book as she reads it, and I guess I’m more of that frame of mind than I would have thought.

Still…here I go, wading in where angels fear to tread. BEWARE! If you are nurturing your own sweet progression for Rafe and Imogen, please don’t read this. Why would you want to know what I think about it? That doesn’t mean the relationship developed precisely as I say.

I’m sorry, but after I read that thing, I felt the same way I did as I was watching Scream 3 when the killer is revealed and the writers pretend that there were “clues” planted all over the movie all along and if you had paid close attention, you would have been able to ferret out the killer for yourself. Boy, was I glad when that “reveal” finally came because I watched it again and I looked and I looked and I couldn’t find any clues that would reveal who the killer was at the end. I even asked Tim to look with me and he couldn’t find any clues, either, so it must be a relief to the creators of the film that the people who watched it are just t00 stoooopid to figure out the ending for themselves and that there was nothing wrong with their movie at all. I mean, there was no way that they didn’t pull out the IDENTITY OF THE KILLER OUT OF THEIR ASSES. I just couldn’t see the clues for myself and apparently, they were all over the place and a three year old could have figured it out. Man, I had to go through therapy after that, so I could find self-worth again and help myself realize that I can live my life as an idiot and people would just think I’m “special”.

Anyway, this “spoiler trail” points out different parts of the book where we blockhead readers should have understood the nuances of the scene and figured out for ourselves that it really didn’t mean what we thought it meant. What does it mean for me as a reader when the author of the book I just read had to take some time out of her authoring to create this special little place on her website to explain the parts of her book that I didn’t understand? I suppose I should be grateful to Ms. James for it because without it, I would have spent the rest of my life second-guessing myself. Like if I were about to buy a car, I would stop and think, “Holy crap, I couldn’t even figure out that Imogen knew that it was Rafe playing Gabe all along. Why would I think that I’m smart enough to drive a car?”

Man, maybe my professor was right. Maybe I just don’t understand that there are layers to works of literature. That I have to look beyond what’s on the page and read between the lines or I would never ever have a truly fulfilling reading experience. I wrote a short story once about a white guy trying to have sex with a black chick and my entire fiction class discussed it and I totally couldn’t answer my professor when he asked me, “But what does it really mean?” I said, “Umm… it’s about a white guy trying to have sex with a black chick?” And he lectured me about “nuances” and how everything you read has other meanings and you just have to be insightful to figure it out and as an aspiring writer, it has to be up to me to provide the “layers” for my readers to puzzle out for themselves. I told him that it was really just about a white guy trying to have sex with a black chick and he told me that I shouldn’t write anything else if I don’t strive for a “deeper meaning” in my work.

I don’t know. Maybe I’ll never be the kind of reader or writer who looks beyond what’s on the page and therefore will never be able to truly appreciate fine works of literature like The Taming of the Duke. I’m just sad that I’m not all insightful and stuff, so I could figure out what was really going on between Imogen and Rafe. I think that if I were smarter and was able to read between the lines, I would have been able to achieve my very own a-ha! moment without Ms. James thoughtfully having to point it out to me.

The funny thing is, even after I read the spoiler trail, I was still as confused about the whole thing as I was before I read it. Maybe I’m just a simple reader who has to have the a-ha! moment pointed out to me in big bold letters. Maybe I needed Imogen to have the big realization that she was in love with Rafe. Maybe I needed her to voice out that she knew that it was Rafe pretending to be Gabe way before Rafe confessed the truth to her. You know, in M. Night Shyamalan’s movies, after he reveals the big twist, he’s always thoughtful enough to show us in flashbacks why the twist would make sense. Maybe I as a blockhead reader NEEDED the “flashback sequence” for me to understand that Imogen knew that it was Rafe all along.

I wanted to keep it a surprise for all of you. I thought it was all the more delicious if you weren’t sure (on the first reading anyway) when she found out. But I never would have let her make love to Rafe thinking it was Gabe — never. For me, that would have destroyed the romance, and besides she wouldn’t have wanted to.

I’m sorry that I didn’t understand your book the way you wanted me to, Ms. James. I’m sorry that you had to point it out to me so that I would get it. I’m sorry that even after I read it, I still don’t get it. If I had only been a more insightful reader, I would have understood it for myself and you didn’t have to take the time out of your busy day to write that “extra chapter” for us. If I had only “gotten it”, I never would have given your book a C+, but now that I’ve read your very thoughtful “spoiler trail”, it looks like I’m gonna have to revise the grade that I originally gave your book.

This entry was posted on Monday, May 29th, 2006 at 10:51 am and is filed under Et Cetera. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

21 Responses to “The Taming of the Duke: Spoiler Trail (A Rant)”

  1. Kristie (J)
    Posted: May 29th, 2006 at 6:14 pm
    1

    Mind you I haven’t read any of these, but I read a while ago that she was going to be putting up something on her website to “explain” this one better. When I read that, warning bells went off so loud in my head I can still hear the echo!!!! What the hell kind of book needs further explanation AFTER IT’S RELEASED?!?!?!
    Hello! You don’t get second chances to write a first book twice (or something like that) And now I know why I hear the echo. What kind of explanation is that? I think it would be better if she had just said “I screwed up” I still would never read the book, but at least she wouldn’t be treating readers like they are some kind of morons or something.

  2. Bam
    Posted: May 29th, 2006 at 6:35 pm
    2

    Kristie, I asked a friend of mine what she thought of it and she said the same thing. Ms. James should have just said, “Uh… okay, so I didn’t think that one out as well as I should have. I’ll do better next time.”

    But the fact that she ACTUALLY had to write something up to explain herself? Why would she have to explain herself? I think that’s what bothers me the most about it.

    If you have to go and explain the plot of your book to your readers AFTER it was published? Maybe it wasn’t such a hot plot, huh?

  3. CindyS
    Posted: May 29th, 2006 at 9:21 pm
    3

    I’ve never read James because I heard she is a professor or some such and just knew that the voice wouldn’t work for me. Maybe I’m missing out but from this, I would say my 10 bucks was better spent somewhere else.

    Typical of professors to get all up in someones face about what isn’t on the page. Look you SOB, if it’s not on the page then it’s just *your opinion* of what is behind the machinery. That’s why every one can get something completely different from Hamlet (he was in love with his mother, no!! he loved his father too much).

    That whole part about author’s dealing with literary criticism - if she truly believed that she would not have said anything. Ahhh, the almighty dollar! If only she could be sure that those who ‘didn’t get it’ would buy her next book. A-ha - a lost chapter! It’s brilliant!!

    I’m still pissed at Katherine Sutcliffe for the book she wrote that didn’t have an ending. I didn’t buy a book of hers for years and her explaination was that ‘it was obvious he was going to track the heroine down’. Yeah, okay, romance bitch. I need to see it! So she wrote a friggin’ sequel - guess which book I will never buy of hers. You betcha!

    Wow, apparently I’m steamed.

    *gasp* You have Night Fall on you TBR list - can’t wait to hear your thoughts!! I’m a AS fangirl but this book - well, you read it and let us know your thoughts first ;)

    CindyS

  4. Jane
    Posted: May 30th, 2006 at 5:02 am
    4

    Like a stupid sap, I read the spoiler trail. (and before I go on and not to incite another rant, but you did read that she is writing another chapter to explain it all to us stooopid readers and she is trying to get her publisher to print it in the reprinted versions of Taming of the Duke).

    Anyway, like I was saying before I caused Bam’s blood pressure to rise through the roof, I read the spoiler trail and it all comes down to this passage:

    “She hadn’t been wrong, that time she glimpsed Rafe’s equipment. Apparently men came in all sizes, and these brothers must have been on the lucky side of the draw.”

    Why, oh why, would Imogen ever be thinking about Gabe’s dick if she wasn’t thinking she was looking at Gabe’s dick. If you want Imogen to have the “delicious” aspect of having sex with two brothers, fine. But don’t try to make her out to be an innocent or that Rafe and Imogen had a real relationship by claiming we missed the clues.

  5. Tara Marie
    Posted: May 30th, 2006 at 6:09 am
    5

    I didn’t go back and read the spoiler trail. I had lots of issues with this book. The book was bad enough that when I reached the end the “oh, so, subtle” clues didn’t really matter and when Imogen wasn’t furious about the “switch” I assumed she had figured it out. Sad when the reader has to make assumptions.

  6. Devon
    Posted: May 30th, 2006 at 7:03 am
    6

    Oh this book and situation really had me incensed (maybe I need to get a life). But even when I read the oh-so-subtle clues, I felt that they were so subtle they could be interpreted in other ways, i.e. evidence of Imogen’s confusion over growing feelings for “two” men. I agree with Jane’s assessment of the “equipment” passage. I know I’m stoopid, but I needed an a-ha moment from Imogen in order to buy the ending. Although, I’m still not sure that Imogen wouldn’t have been pissed at Rafe anyway, for having sex with her while pretending to be his brother. A total misfire. All right, I’m letting it go now.

  7. Robyn
    Posted: May 30th, 2006 at 7:18 am
    7

    Jane is right- if she wanted Imogen to sleep with both guys, she should have just done it. It actually would have made a more interesting set up. But to pull this crap- to have your character ’sort of’ have sex with both of them yet still keep her romance heroine innocence, I need a LOT more clues.

    And to blame the readers for being lazy when in fact it was the lazy writing of the author? Shame on you, Ms. James.

  8. Bam
    Posted: May 30th, 2006 at 7:49 am
    8

    “She hadn’t been wrong, that time she glimpsed Rafe’s equipment. Apparently men came in all sizes, and these brothers must have been on the lucky side of the draw.”

    See, I didn’t really think anything of that line, either. I mean, Imogen has only seen 3 dicks in her entire life. Draven’s, Rafe’s, and Gabe’s. I really don’t get this part ’cause you know, it sounds like she thinks she’s looking at Gabe’s dick.

    Devon… I’m still right irritated.

    Robyn? Amen.

  9. lady t
    Posted: May 30th, 2006 at 8:32 am
    9

    I’ve never read any Eloisa James and I don’t think I’m going to with such disrespect for the reader’s intelligence. Unless the brother were indentical twins,Imogen sounds like she’s pretty dippy to confuse one for the other which means either the author thinks her characters are dumber than dirt or her audience is(both a bit of both). Not cool,Zeus!

    Oh,and your professor was a prize winning idiot,there Bam. Any true appreciation of writing doesn’t demand that the authors put on an artistic dog and pony show to justify telling a story.

  10. Jane
    Posted: May 30th, 2006 at 10:55 am
    10

    Let me clarify because I am a stoopid commenter as well as a stoopid reader. What I meant to say was that even after reading the spoiler trail, I could not reconcile the assertion that Imogen knew Rafe was masquerading as Gabe before they had sex because of that one line.

    EJ does not assert that this is an ah-ha moment. The ah ha moment happens sometime between the tavern act and Gabe/Rafe undressing. I guess.

    And ultimately, the biggest crime is in writing the spoiler trail. Because by writing the spoiler trail, EJ puts the “confusion” all on the reader and refuses to take any responsiblity in failing to write a defined story.

  11. Jane
    Posted: May 30th, 2006 at 10:56 am
    11

    Oh, one more thing, maybe next time Harper Collins will publish a study guide to EJ’s newest book that we can buy online for $1.99 for every 5 clues. Kind of like the hotline for NYTimes Crossword puzzle hints.

  12. Bam
    Posted: May 30th, 2006 at 1:11 pm
    12

    ike I was saying before I caused Bam’s blood pressure to rise through the roof

    What can I say, man? I’m totally passionate about this shit! ;)

    Oh, one more thing, maybe next time Harper Collins will publish a study guide to EJ’s newest book that we can buy online for $1.99 for every 5 clues. Kind of like the hotline for NYTimes Crossword puzzle hints.

    Dear God, Jane, I think that might actually send me to an early grave.

  13. Jane
    Posted: May 30th, 2006 at 1:32 pm
    13

    I am sure you are aware, aren’t you, that Julia Quinn is selling 8 additional epilogues to her Bridgerton series for $1.99 per epilogue as exclusive ebooks. So don’t be surprised if the next EJ book is accompanied by an exclusive ebook release called “Spoiler Trail” or “Comparisons to a Shakespearean comedy” etc. (sp??)

  14. Bam
    Posted: May 30th, 2006 at 1:41 pm
    14

    I am sure you are aware, aren’t you, that Julia Quinn is selling 8 additional epilogues to her Bridgerton series for $1.99 per epilogue as exclusive ebooks.

    Huh. I didn’t know. Man, an argument could be made that they’re just trying to please their fans. There’s certainly a market for the Bridgerton epilogues ’cause I’ve spoken to Bridgerton fans and they scared the crap out of me.

    I don’t even want to be mad about this anymore. I think I’m going to pick up an Anne Stuart and heal myself. I just got A Rose at Midnight in the mail. Whoo-hoo!

  15. CindyS
    Posted: May 30th, 2006 at 1:45 pm
    15

    I am sure you are aware, aren’t you, that Julia Quinn is selling 8 additional epilogues to her Bridgerton series for $1.99 per epilogue as exclusive ebooks.

    OMG!! I think life as I know it just ended. Can you imagine reading a book and just as you turn to the last page there is a note ‘If you want to know how this story ends go to _____ and buy the e-book for more $ - I call this a ransom!!

    I guess if there are people out there that can’t get enough of a couples story then the authors can make money into eternity. Hey, I’m good just as long as the book I am reading has a bloody ending and makes sense.

    Geez, off I go on another rant.

    CindyS

  16. einsteinella
    Posted: May 30th, 2006 at 1:50 pm
    16

    I haven’t read this book, but it seems to me that the whole point of these plot twists is that the reader gets to share the “ah-ha” moment with the heroine. While I am reading a book, the heroine is my new-best-girlfrind, and I am right there with her at the inn, or in the seaside cave, or the mountain cabin, etc…and I want to give her a high-five when she (we) experience an epiphany. I don’t need to be hit over the head, but give us a chance to feel smug with our girl. That’s just what I think, I could be wrong.

  17. Kat O+
    Posted: May 31st, 2006 at 6:30 am
    17

    I think some of the comments are a little unfair on EJ, especially those people who haven’t even read the book! I also think the overly long explanations of how Imogen “knew” are pretty much an admission that the book didn’t deliver what it wanted. I think she also erred on the side of mystery and prolonged what should have been a short masquerade device. I’ve heard EJ had added an epilogue to future reprints to clarify the issue - that’s as good as saying that the first edition was missing something. It’s also commendable that she listened to her readers and did something about it.

    Having said that, this wasn’t my favourite EJ novel and I felt Imogen was always the weakest of the sisters in terms of characterisation. She was just too annoying in the previous novels - and yes, even in hers - for me to love her.

    As for the Julia Quinn epilogues, I’m also a Bridgerton fan and quite happy to have more tidbits! It’s user-pays so I don’t know why non-fans would have a problem with it. I doubt she planned to come out with them at all when she began writing the first book.

  18. sybil
    Posted: Jun 8th, 2006 at 11:50 am
    18

    You know bam… I die a lil more inside each time you say you don’t read my blog.

    le sigh

  19. Bam
    Posted: Jun 9th, 2006 at 4:19 pm
    19

    DAMN YOU, SYBIL, DON’T YOU DIE ON ME!!!

    Okay, yes, I’m a jerk for not visiting your blog. I’m also a jerk for not visiting my mother every weekend like I promised to. But you know what, I’m going to go visit your blog right now.

    ‘Cause I want you to LIVE!

  20. sybil
    Posted: Jun 9th, 2006 at 4:54 pm
    20

    You like me, you really really like me!

  21. J
    Posted: Jun 12th, 2006 at 9:42 pm
    21

    I also think some of these comments are a bit unfair to Eloisa James. Granted, this latest series hasn’t been her best. None of them really memorable. But she has written good books in the past. The one about the disgraced “fallen” heroine I liked a lot, and the one about the married couple who had been separated 10 years because they couldn’t get along in the sack… It’s a shame when our favorite authors disappoint us, but c’est la vie. The last Madeline Hunter was not as good as “The Romantic.” The last Bridgerton novel: I couldn’t even get past the dreadful musicale at the beginning. Even Mary Balogh seems to be wearing herself thin.

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