March 29, 2024
Columns | The Times


Columns

WRITE TEAM: Warnings for books

A few weeks ago, I finished reading a book I’d been searching for. It wasn’t a disappointment. I greatly enjoyed the plot and the author’s writing style, but I have to say that I wish I’d been warned about a certain event that occurred within the first chapter of the book.

Before I continue, I’m going to state right here that this column contains content regarding the subject of assault, and if you’re sensitive to that subject, you may wish to skip this article.

It would’ve been nice if a warning along those lines had been placed somewhere before the beginning of the book I mentioned, as a scene of assault was what wound up driving the plot of the story. As soon as I stumbled upon it, my own dark experiences lunged from the shadows in my mind, and I just can’t help but think how many horrible flashbacks that scene also gave to others who’ve been subjected to similar horrors ... and worse.

This isn’t the first book I’ve read with assault in it. I completed one three months ago that was even more explicit, but I’d been warned beforehand by another source. I know there are many books that include scenes of assault, but I haven’t come across one that includes a warning stating there’ll be graphic content dealing with it later in the story.

So, I propose books be rated similar to the way movies are and that the reason for that rating be listed as a warning somewhere in the front matter of each book, perhaps on the title page or the page after. This way, a reader can pick up a book, open the cover, and see something like the warnings before movies or even like mine above. The reader can then decide for themselves if they’re ready to read the book, and if they do read it, the warning will have enabled them to better prepare themselves for the inevitable.

As a writer myself, I understand such warnings may take away some suspense, but I believe it’s worth it. I’m not saying to stop writing about anything that someone might be hurt or offended by. You can’t ever please everyone. But we can warn our readers of the content of our stories, especially if we include any sort of violence in them. There are certain scenes in movies and books that trigger my darker memories, but I can handle those memories better if I have been warned that something I am watching or reading may trigger them. I assume the same is true for at least some others.

I realize this could cause a lot of complications, such as who should rate the books and how. I believe authors should put the warnings in their own books and take the responsibility for warning their audience about such events. It isn’t easy dealing with the memories such scenes stir up. I and many others read books to rescue ourselves from the hardships of our past and/or present. Before we read a book, we should be warned if it might cause us to relive the abuse instead.

KAYLA COOK has lived in Ottawa since 2012. She can be reached by emailing tammies@mywebtimes.com.