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[nicevenn]

Why do people like rape fics? I'll admit, I'm always on the lookout for a good H/D hurt/comfort fic (thanks for recommending Schwarzer Spiegel, Claudia--it's awesome), though I don't write them often. As it is, I feel extremely guilty for actually enjoying reading about something that causes suffering in the real world. I'm sure most of the people who read write these kinds of stories wouldn't wish anyone harm.

... so why do we like it? It's often said that fiction helps people deal with their own RL problems. That's understandable. But there are those of us who haven't been touched by rape/violence, and yet for some disturbing reason we like to read about it. What is it about these angsty hurt/comfort fics that draws so many good people to them? (and I am talking about hurt/comfort here. I only read such stories provided that they end happily)

It's the same with incest, for me. In real life I think it's disgusting, but I enjoy it in fanfic. I guess it might be a subconscious fascination with the forbidden, in this case. Dunno.

What are your thoughts?

Comments

[draco-pet.livejournal.com]

Maybe we like deviant fic like rape fics or hurt/comfort fics, because of an innate curiosity that we have to try and understand something that's so reprehensible and yet a common occurrence in our society today. One likes to know what the person feels in such situations, so we can understand their pain better. Also, there's the eternal hope that things will be better in the end.
That said, I love reading H/D, though I live in a world where homophobia seems to be the norm. I'm straight myself, but I don't appreciate people judging and commenting on things that they have no idea about like 2 people of the same sex loving each other.
So, I love exploring fics in the H/D universe, I guess it's the love and the freedom that's something I'd like to see in our world today.

[nicevenn.livejournal.com]

That's intriguing. Obviously noone would ever want to experience that in RL, but you can't help the curiosity. I never thought of it that way.

I've grown up in a homophobic familiy, too, so I sorta know where you're coming from.