All the noes in the universe

[meganbmoore]

By now I'm sure most of you have heard about the inspirational romance novel based on the biblical story of Esther about the blonde, blue-eyed Jewish woman who falls in love with the commander of Thereisenstadt (you know, the CONCENTRATION CAMP).  The universe is awful and apologist and antisemitic and things tragedy and horror and genocide should be romanticized, so it's getting lots of praise, not to mention nominated for a RITA.*

These  three  links  (especially the last) tell you all you really need to know about why all the noes in the universe aren't enough, though I doubt anyone reading this needs much convincing.  Don't go into the amazon or goodreads reviews, as they are full of apologism and praise  and "but he wasn't REALLY a Nazi, he just worked for them because he hat to, and hated it."  (Look, were there people in the German army who were there because they had no choice if they didn't want themselves and their families killed?  Most likely, yes.  When you have limited options, you usually go for the one that results in you and your loved ones not being dead.  But they kept their heads down and just hoped no one ever noticed them or questioned them to hard.  You didn't end up working in a Concentration camp, much less become Kommandant, unless you were a believer.)


*Romance novel community, you make it VERY hard to defend you at times.  Even impossible.  Like now.

Eta: two links. Forgot the other was f-locked.

Comments

[saturnofthemoon]

After my initial shock, I can believe that book has a following given there's published BDSM about Jefferson and Sally Hemings out there. What amazes me is that the book has a following of any kind.

[meganbmoore]

The Jefferson/Hemming book, while certainly not remotely OK in my book, is the kind of FAIL I expect, particularly given that that story has been romanticized for years, and society is really, really devoted to trying to convince themselves that nostalgia about slavery is ok.

But, I mean, I thought there was a shred of decency left about the Holocaust.

[saturnofthemoon]

P.S. The second link appears to be flocked. Also, I meant to say I can believe the book exists, but not that it has a following. Need to stop typing on my phone.

[meganbmoore]

Whoops! Fixed that.

[lea_hazel]

I kind of wish I'd been more shocked than I actually was, you know?

[thady]

I wish I could be more surprised, but there've been fan stories set during the Holocaust, with just about as much fail, so I can't.
It really makes me sick to my stomach.