tiniestspoon t1_j9xk1gu wrote on February 25, 2023 at 7:35 AM

I disliked this book for infantilising Archer so much, and casting Bree as his saviour. I went back to look at my review and it was a pretty uncomfortable read for me when she kept calling him 'lost puppy' and 'little boy'. It's not a book I'd recommend for well written disability.

I do think calling it paedophilia gives the impression that anyone with mental or physical disabilities is a child, and incapable of having romantic or sexual relationships - which I don't think you were going for, but that's yet another stigma disabled people have to counter constantly, so I can see it raising some hackles. Archer's level of disability could have been written in an affirming way that gave him agency and self respect in relationships, I didn't see that here myself. I try to find authors who write this well without making disabled characters seem like charity cases or inspiration porn, but tbh I haven't found all that many. Any books you've enjoyed?

EffieHarlow OP t1_j9xpktj wrote on February 25, 2023 at 8:50 AM

Honestly the only good books with disabled characters I’ve read are Helen Hoang’s books, her main characters are autistic with various support needs and traits, she’s autistic herself so they’re done very well.

The part I loved was that all of her MC’s are independent and treated as adults- but they also have support needs that are shown and met by those around them.

And when I say it felt like pedophilia, I mean by the way she views him- as you said, she infantilises him a disturbed by amount and the way his disability is shown is horriblely written.

tiniestspoon t1_j9xpr0s wrote on February 25, 2023 at 8:52 AM

Ahh I've read 2 of her books and did not enjoy them at all. There's actually a good discussion of them going on here, if you're interested! There is so much ableism in her books, I find them very upsetting, though I know other people enjoy them. Thank you anyway!