"Enemies" Trilogy and "Unintended Consequences"

[John Ross]

Concerning the oft-mentioned graphic scenes in UC, this is from the FAQ on my website:

I’d like my kids to read Unintended Consequences, but some of the language is inappropriate and some scenes are too graphic. Why didn’t you leave that stuff out?

I get this question a lot. Recently, I learned that Stephen King, one of the writers whose talent I most admire, gets the same criticism. On p. 184 of his wonderful book On Writing, he says:

"As with all other aspects of fiction, the key to writing good dialogue is honesty. And if you are honest about the words coming out of your characters’ mouths, you’ll find that you’ve let yourself in for a fair amount of criticism. Not a week goes by that I don’t receive at least one pissed-off letter (most weeks there are more) accusing me of being foul-mouthed, bigoted, homophobic, murderous, frivolous, or downright psychopathic. In the majority of cases what my correspondents are hot under the collar about relates to something in the dialogue: ‘Let’s get the **** out of Dodge’ or ‘We don’t cotton much to ******* around here’ or ‘What do you think you’re doing, you ****ing faggot?’"


And then on page 185:


"The point is to let each character speak freely, without regard to what the Legion of Decency or the Christian Ladies’ Reading Circle may approve of. To do otherwise would be cowardly as well as dishonest, and believe me, writing fiction as we enter the 21st century is no job for intellectual cowards. There are a lot of would-be censors out there, and although they may have different agendas, they all want basically the same thing: for you to see the world they see…or to at least shut up about what you do see that’s different."


A lot of teens love reading Stephen King, and don’t seem to be any the worse for it. If your kids are smart enough to read an 800 page novel without being coerced, they can handle the words in it without being corrupted, just like you. Unintended Consequences is like real life: you’re not apt to like everything about it.

JR

 

[poor_richard]

Mr. Ross,

Thanks for your comments.

I'd like to say "thanks" for your book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it so much that I bought a copy for my father. I think it had some impact on him also.

 

[canaan]

Finally got a good friend to read Molon Labe, he had to read it in small segments as it was not good for his blood pressure. I wonder if we could market this somehow.... hmmmm

I am gradually getting a pretty good library of 'depressing' books. I enjoy them, as does my wife.

One issue I have though, UC doesn't seem to have a sequel yet.....

*sigh*

 

[mb419]

Mr. Ross

I would also like to thank you for UC. It is one of the best books I have ever read, and I read it again every couple of months. I pass it around to family and friends whom I'm trying to "educate". I just hope that I can awaken a few of them with your words.

Thank you.

 

[General Geoff]

I'd also like to chime in here, as I just finished reading Unintended Consequences for the first time a week ago. It is, without a doubt, the most engaging book I've ever read, with George Orwell's 1984 being a solid second.

I've already loaned my copy to a friend of mine, and plan on buying my uncle a copy soon. Every gun owner, and more importantly, every freedom loving person needs to read it. Thanks again for this superb piece of literature.

 

[stevek]

Strong kudos to both Mr. Ross and Mr. Bracken I'm anxiously awaiting the 3rd installment in the EFAD series, and would jump at an opportunity to read another of Mr. Ross's books also.

 

[larry_minn]

While I understand the explanation. A (R) rated version might be nice for sheep. I fear too many would fixate on the sex and miss the rest of story.
BTW I have read UC at least 6 times. Don't change story just offer a (toned down) printing. All you would have to do is cut/reduce some graphic details. I.E. mob guy instead of bitting her down there he was going to beat her to death so she acts.
IMO the details of sex acts is what draws attention away from story line. Keep all the sex stuff most helped story.
I get chills when I read parts of it. Fear that it may come to pass.

 

[General Geoff]

I dunno, I think Mr. Ross has a point; anyone who reads an 800+ page novel of his/her own volition is mature enough to not fixate on the sex scenes. Especially in this day and age of ubiquitous internet access, all one needs to do is type "sex" into Google and you'll get far more graphic and illicit descriptions of sexual acts than those that appear in UC.

 

[Biker]

Keep the sex. I've always been exceedingly fond of bi-sexual strippers.

Biker

 

[Hanzerik]

Had to have Cheyenne's library request UC from one of the other libraries in the state. Can't find a book store that carries it. I just got done reading the Enemies foreign and Domestic...pretty good book.

 

[Angio333]

I finished the first book about two weeks ago and loved it. I am about 1/4 of the way through the second, and I am really enjoying it.

 

[Kaylee]

Unintended Consequences
The first of the lot I believe, and still probably the most comprehensive.

With all respect to Mr. Ross, I do believe there's a difference between letting characters speak in their own voices, and describing some graphic scenes in detail. The old "fade to black" trick is a time honored way of letting characters remain themselves, yet at the same time remain "PG" as it were. I loved the historical content of the book, which adds tremendously to it, and the story itself is both thought-provoking and engrossing. That said, the aforementioned scenes are why I often either don't recommend it or recommend it only with heavy warnings to a new reader. Chalk me up as another voice requesting a slightly redacted "PG" version.

Enemies, Foreign and Domestic
(disclamer- I've only read the first of the series)
More believable characters and a not-as-happy ending make this one a slightly darker read than UC, though the early stages of the end of that "awkward time" are particularly well done. It doesn't have the depth of history and "gun-folk cultural memory" that UC does, but it's an easier story to get through. And like UC, you won't be able to put it down once you get going.

Molon Labe
Perhaps the most practical of the three, it tracks the progression of a sort of "Free State Project" in Wyoming becoming a state-wide rather than cell-based push for independence. I'm not sold on all of Boston's ideas, but it was a good read, and fairly practical I think.

It may well be that something like this comes to pass, but more haphazardly and through natural migration rather than a dedicated movement - the Montana gun bills mentioned here as an example. As the parties get more polarized, and gov't at the Federal level gets more "all or nothing" - some states are gonna resist no matter who ends up running the Federal show.


Patriots, Surviving the Coming Collapse
Think of it as an 80's era survivalist manual in novel form, not as explicitly RKBA as the above three, but a close cousin.

The first half is your basic post-TEOTWAWKI survival stuff, the latter half more "Red Dawn" in flavor. It's a shorter read, and a good one.

Personally, I think the novel suffered to some degree from having the main characters so into the survivalist lifestyle and so well-to-do that they weren't readily identifiable with - they were too well equipped to be particularly believeable I thought. The same story told from the perspective of their neighbors who were provident and country wise, but not essentially a home-grown militia cell would have been a better approach I think.

Some have criticisized the overt religious nature of the characters - I didn't see it as distracting at all. Then again, I grew up in the South, where all that's normal.

 

[bender]

I recently read EFAD. Great stuff. Have not read UC or Molon Labe, but sounds like I need too...

 

[jnojr]

Brian, if the economy ever tanks to anything like the last Great Depression, I fully expect something like the "Economic Justice and Democracy Amendment" to be pushed very hard.

Socialist "redistribution of the wealth" could become law.

It's already happening.

The always-inevitable collapse of the subprime mortgage lending industry is leading to Democrats and "civil rigths leaders" to call for a "moratorium on foreclosures", because the "poor" and "minorities" will be the "hardest hit". Imagine that... those who never should have been able to buy in the first place are those that most "need our protection"!

Also, compare the growing waves of stupid, poorly- (if at all) educated, drug-addicted, unemployable welfare cases and illegal immigrants with the shrinking middle class... which group would it be wiser to appease? Those who have silently borne a greater and greater burden for decades, or those who turn cars over and light them on fire?

A sham Constitutional Convention which would entertain such an amendment might very well take the next step, and push the repeal of the 2nd Amd.

This, I actually doubt, at least not until some point after gun control has become so pervasive and ubiquitous for so long that nobody would really be surprised, or able to fight, any more. Repealing the Second would bring the water the frog is sitting in to a boil far too quickly, and is guaranteed to get the little guy hopping mad. We've gone 70 years from New Deal to Great Society to the fragile shell surrounding an economic wreck we are today... the Socialists would be willing to take another 70 years to finish consolidating their control if that would allow them to avoid an outright rebellion. But we aren't going to make it another 70 years, in the state we're in.

 

[jnojr]

BTW I have read UC at least 6 times. Don't change story just offer a (toned down) printing. All you would have to do is cut/reduce some graphic details. I.E. mob guy instead of bitting her down there he was going to beat her to death so she acts.
IMO the details of sex acts is what draws attention away from story line. Keep all the sex stuff most helped story.

No doubt that there were those who had helpful suggestions for Michaelangelo as he sculpted David or painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel

On the one hand, I tend to agree with you... some elements in Molon Labe struck me as unnecessary, and even bordering (on the wrong side!) lunacy. But suggesting to an artist that he change his art to better suit you would eventually result in the blandest of "art".

And, quite frankly, those who have an issue with the sex in Unintended Consequences are not going to be appeased by its' removal... it just makes for the quickest, easiest excuse as to why UC is "inappropriate".

 

[DiggityBiggity]

I've read both books in Mr. Brackens series, and wrote him an E-mail telling him how much I enjoyed them. Then, to my surprise, he contacted me!!! Not only is he an amazing author, but an amazing person. We had about a ten E-mail back and forth, and in one he told me all about The High Road.

Anyone who hasn't read his books yet needs to, they are amazing!!!

 

[outdoorman63]

i have read all the books mentioned and each in there own way were entertaining and enjoyable...

 

[roo_ster]

A lot of teens love reading Stephen King, and don’t seem to be any the worse for it. If your kids are smart enough to read an 800 page novel without being coerced, they can handle the words in it without being corrupted, just like you. Unintended Consequences is like real life: you’re not apt to like everything about it.

Any novel is not real life. It is a simulacrum of real life. Talking animals did not lessen the significance of 1984, showing that even outrageous divergence from real life can have large & lasting impact.

In your case you pitched your novel to an adult audience and a goodly number of folks will not willingly expose their minor children to some of its content, no matter what claims to "truth," "honesty," & the like.

It is yours to do with as you will. One consequence (unintended or not ) of your choice is fewer readers.

This is priceless:

There are a lot of would-be censors out there, and although they may have different agendas, they all want basically the same thing: for you to see the world they see…or to at least shut up about what you do see that’s different.

Oh, the suffering artiste, fighting against the great unwashed!

If we don't take claims of persecution by fatuous artists seriously, the terrorists/bluenoses will have won!

-----------

No doubt that there were those who had helpful suggestions for Michaelangelo as he sculpted David or painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel

Oh, come on! Of what I have read of John Ross, I have a high opinion. Not THAT high, though.

 

[mindwip]

A PG/PC version of UC would be sad. The book is about many things but the "non-pg" things happen in real life. Taking them out is no different then getting rid of mice and men because one of the characters use bad words, which is a big part of that book, it lets you know a lot about the characters. Theres nothing in UC that high school kids might not have happen to them, let alone heard from peers or history books. The sexual parts in that book affect plenty of people around the US, hiding it from highschool kids who are most likly to have it happen to them, i don't see the good in that. See no evil, hear no evil, then theres no evil?


I have to pick up another book now as i just read UC. Great book i liked it. The only thing i did not like was how the plot slowed down for all the gun history stuff. One of the things i liked a lot was all the gun history stuff. Its a love hate relationship. lol

Also read Molon Labe, now got to pick my next "freedom" book.

Also an another author is Robert Heinlein, great sci-fi the best. But also has strong freedom, indepences themes. Red plant is about how gun control and such is bad. He even had lots more in there about gun control is bad, but the Librarians (if they dont like it, its not put in schools) made him take it out because it was not fit for boys/they did not like his views on it.

 

[john1911]

EFAD was a great read! The second book in the series was also good also. I'm eagerly awaiting the third installment.

I guess I'll have to find a copy of UC.

 

[Justin]

Any novel is not real life. It is a simulacrum of real life. Talking animals did not lessen the significance of 1984, showing that even outrageous divergence from real life can have large & lasting impact.

That was Animal Farm, not 1984.

Oh, the suffering artiste, fighting against the great unwashed!

If we don't take claims of persecution by fatuous artists seriously, the terrorists/bluenoses will have won!

Speaking as a graphic designer, and one who often gives the client what they want despite the fact that it makes for ill communication, I find your snobbish attitude about this to be poorly informed. Whether you like the sexual content of Ross' book or not is immaterial. But if you're so offended by it, no one is stopping you from penning your own novel that plays on many of the same themes. But to disparage the man's artistic integrity with sarcasm is, quite frankly offensive.

 

[Tommygunn]

Talking animals did not lessen the significance of 1984, showing that even outrageous divergence from real life can have large & lasting impact.

Methinks you're thinking of Animal Farm, where some animals were more equal than others.

 

[def4pos8]

I suppose that I'm one of the three participants here who have not read these books. Patience! I'll get 'round to it!! --I'm still on "Katrina Time"!!

Besides, my male sibling is fully qualified as a Domestic Enemy of the Constitution. I recently told my sister that I'd calmed down some: I'd ponder the act for twenty seconds now (in lieu of 5) before severing his spinal cord from his cortex with my K-bar. (No worries there Moderator -- I don't let myself occupy the same county as he.) My male sibling and his fellow travelers kill Marines. As a Marine Dad, this is HARD to swallow.

This entire train of events was an Unintended Consequence of a small mob of maniacs flying perfectly good aircraft into New York office towers.

 

[roo_ster]

Speaking as a graphic designer, and one who often gives the client what they want despite the fact that it makes for ill communication, I find your snobbish attitude about this to be poorly informed. Whether you like the sexual content of Ross' book or not is immaterial. But if you're so offended by it, no one is stopping you from penning your own novel that plays on many of the same themes. But to disparage the man's artistic integrity with sarcasm is, quite frankly offensive.

1. I would put forward that the snobbery is to be found in the text I quoted. It begs to be pointed out for what it is and deflated. King is a wildly successful author. His work is to books what MacDonald's is to dining. His attempt at stuffing a yummy, greasy double-cheeseburger under glass and claiming it to be haute cuisine ought to get a snort.

2. I do not care a whit about the sexual content of John Ross's book. I was pointing out some very basic facts about audience. Include such material and the total size of the market is reduced. For instance, in the movie industry, ticket sales show that PG-rated movies do MUCH better than R-rated movies. Yet, so many film auteurs put in just enough naughty bits to get an R-rating. Curious thing, that.

3. Who is "the man?" I would put forth the man is the author of the quote at which I thumbed my nose (initials SK, not JR). I expressed my opinion of John Ross's writing in the last line of my post. Hardly an insult.

4. I wish we had better access to graphic designers at my work. For an engineer I am a pretty fair hand at it. The key bit is, "For an engineer." It is in the same vein as, "For a fat girl, you don't sweat much." Having engineers craft eyesores for proposals is foolish. As to your designs getting mauled by those who pay the bills...take a number & stand in line with he rest of us.

5. Yes, it was Animal Farm. I had 1984 on my mind, given a previous posting. by General Geoff. Orwell is always worth the effort spent to read him. When I get the time, I plan to read Christopher Hitchen's book on G Orwell.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

To me, the true obscenities in Unintended Consequences are:
- the US Army evicting the Bonus Army marchers
- the Warsaw Ghetto
- the Ruby Ridge Siege
- the Waco Raid
but you cannot blame John Ross for that.