Without knowing it, I've become a huge geek. Not the 'gaming' sort, oh no, the literary kind. The full blown science fiction, comic books kind. And I'm a girl! (Although I'd hate to promote a stereotype.) I only fully realised what I'd become the other day, when I was shopping with my Mum and headed straight into the science fiction section. She visibly recoiled and spent the time fervently looking to see if there was anyone she knew about. I was suddenly embarrassed, and I didn't really know why. What is this stigma to reading science fiction? And don't tell me there's not, there is. I know because I used to be that person who upheld it.
So how did I become obsessed? It was like any addiction, started soft. A couple of marvel films, bit of H.G Wells. I quickly moved on to Lord of the Rings (still acceptable), Star Wars, Neil Gaimon, G.R.R. Martin*. Soon I found myself borrowing from my Uncle's vast collection of sci-fi, and not even to be polite. But after the 'incident', the problem of stigma had really got me thinking: why is it bad to read science fiction and comics as an adult?
In some ways its not. Its like being part of an elite club. When I buy my books from a shop, every so often the shop assistant will look at the book, give a nod of approval, and look at me with a bit more respect. And with all the knowledge you learn, it's like being a genius. Screw our world, I can tell you all about the geography of Middle Earth or Westoros and no one would know what I was talking about! In these respects, it's pretty cool. And yet, I still was embarrassed. Why? Is it the sex? Because there does tend to be a lot of sex; anyone who's read Alan Moore can attest to that (I know that that's probably tame for sci-fi, but I do try to keep away from the saucier books, I am but a faint-hearted lady). There's no denying, the books are very male oriented.
Personally, I think it comes down to the fact that as an adult, we're meant to be all about 'reality'. We're grown-ups now, we can't believe in magic, or get lost in other worlds. As a child its sweet, as an adult, its sad. It's the condescending idea that reading about fairies and imps means you can't have a foothold in reality. And even if I didn't - so what? If 'reality' consists of pain, suffering and 'Made in Chelsea', then surely it is my right as a human to lose myself in my fantasy worlds; retreat into medieval quests, prophecies and dragons. What are novels but places to lose yourself in? And no offence to realist writers (who I do love, for different reasons), but why would I want to lose myself in a book about reality? I already live in reality! And for the record, I am firmly grounded in the 'real world'. I can't go half an hour without checking the news, and I know everything about 'Made in Chelsea', and other 'real life' things. Where others take drugs, or drink, or whatever they do to get away from real life, I retreat into fantasy worlds. And really, I can't see anything wrong with that. So the next time you're in Waterstones, dear fans, watch out for a girl standing proudly in the science fiction section, potentially wearing a cape (or is that too far?)
*On that note, read my review!
Evans
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