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From: friedman@topaz.ARPA (Gadi Friedman)
Newsgroups: net.books
Subject: Re: "Gor" by John Norman
Message-ID: <417@topaz.ARPA>
Date: Mon, 28-Jan-85 21:22:58 EST
Article-I.D.: topaz.417
Posted: Mon Jan 28 21:22:58 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 30-Jan-85 06:23:15 EST
References: <543@ukma.UUCP>
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.
Lines: 39

> Well, I'll probably get flamed six ways to Sunday for this, but I
> think Norman has a good idea in these books. I think he carries it
> a little bit to extremes.
> 
> I'm currently about 2/3 of the way through the fifth book of the series.
> I don't like his writing style at all (too flat). But he still manages to
> spin a good yarn. He's got some real good ideas -- Counter-Earth, Priest-Kings,


Well, I read most of the Gor books, (up to number 13 or so) and I am forced
to say that Norman's style gets worse with time.  The first 3 books are
passable in adventure/sex ratio but later on it gets ridiculus.  There are
about 3 pages of man/slave conversation to 1 paragraph of story.  Some times
this anoys me and some times it does not. (Depending on my mood).  
I must admit there is a potential for a good story in these books but
since that is not their intention....

> Castes, etc. His attitudes towards women are a small, though integral, part
> of the society he's set up. The same society COULD be set up without this, but
> I think the books would lose by it. 
> 
> Now, I'm NOT advocating female slavery here. I'm simply stating an opinion.
> I do think that most women have FANTASIES about being slaves of strong good-
> looking men. Please note: FANTASIES. I do NOT think that women would enjoy
> actually BEING slaves.
> 

As to why I read so many of these books, well first I havn't read them
for over a year, and second they were close to a subject I wanted to read
about.  (They didn't come close enough so I quit.)  I do not even for
a moment feel that women wan't to be Slaves or even have fantasies of
being slaves.  These books have nothing to do with real women and are
not written by or for women.  They are written for our male egos and
they sometimes do the job.

Any one who wants to send me mail is welcome.  I LOVE MAIL.

                                              -Gadi
                                          topaz!friedman