Swearing

If I knew about it I wouldn't let it influence me - how do you know whether there is swearing in a book until you read it (unless of course there was an outcry about it or you were told by someone who had already read it).

It would not influence my choice.
Violence is different - I wouldn't read graphic descriptions of violence and I don't watch it either.
I suppose there are borderline situations where swearing becomes Vientiane in itself.

Vientiane? What on earth does my phone think it's doing ??
violence

When I read the 'Frost' novels by RD Wingfield I was really put off by the swearing because I'd already seen the TV series starring David Jason who managed to portray Frost's stubborn attitude and sardonic wit without swearing.

'Bleedin' this and bleedin' that is almost as tedious as Gordon Ramsay's constant use of the F word.

Um - let's all get over ourselves, shall we? If a character ni a novel is in a situation where 'strong language' is appropriate, then it would be ludicrous to substitute anything else - they are just words after all... a part of our language that is just as legitimate as any other part. And 'words can never hurt me'.

Usually, no, woudn't be influenced either way. Having read (part-read) a few works of fiction where swearing has been used so gratuitously and repetitively that it stops the flow, I've found it annoying. But that's because the writing was abysmal!

But they can desensitise you.
There are too many novels to read without bothering about ones with swearwords in, so no, I do not swear and do not read novels with swear words in.

If the swearing was minimal and in context then it would not bother me too much. But if the book was full of bad language then I would ditch it pronto.
Just cannot see the need for it really.

The reason I ask is I read a book by a new novelist, K S Silkwood called King of the Jungle and when I recommended the book to my friends and mentioned the language they didn't want to know. I have stopped doing this because I think it's a good book and the swearing seems to be a barrier.

I was beginning to think it was an age thing so I'm so pleased the majority of you that have replied wouldn't be swayed by that fact.

I challenge you to read the book. The book's main character Jonathan, narrates the story in such a way as to remind me of an Alan Bennett retrospective or maybe similar to reading someone's diary, either way he's really talking to you and I like the way it pulls you into the story. Some of the characters are loveable defectives who live on the streets (hence the language) but it's also about the relationships of Jonathan and his artist friends and loves.

It's available on Amazon. I'd be interested to know what you think.

Oh! Why do I suddenly feel suspicious...?

Jendurham, how do you know (before reading) if a novel has got swear words in it? Unless of course you limit yourself to books written within a certain era or by certain authors.

In answer to your op mischief , it's a definite "C" for me, the swearing content is neither here nor there, I (perhaps stupidly) suppose that if a novel has been selected to be published, it should have some merit.

Having said that, there are some that I would avoid like the plague! Don't like Mills & Boon type stuff, as an example.

feetle , I agree!

Will request the book from the library when we get back from our hols. Too late now. I don't mind swearing, provided it doesn't get in the way of the story. Like a lot of films where a battle (or love scene) goes on for ever and I just want to shout "For goodness sake get on with it".

I don't know Ana. The book was recommended to me and I was a bit dubious to start with because like Jendurham swearing isn't a normal part of my life but I thought I'd try it and I'm glad I did. It gave me a window on a part of life which wouldn't normally touch me but does exist, and hopefully I have become more understanding because of it.

Also it's by a new writer, maybe that's what made you suspicious, and I think it's a very good debut novel

Mischief I am probably completely wrong of course, but I suspect Ana might have thought there was a bit of promotion going on in your posting
Far be it from me to suggest such a thing

Phoenix, don't you flick through novels that you pick up, stopping at occasional pages to see if you want to read it? How do you choose which ones you want to read?
Philippa Gregory has managed to write whole series of books without swearing. Just started reading The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult. Haven't come across a swearword yet and did not come across any when I skimmed it first.

I'm a C too. If the language is appropriate to the story and is what I call 'superficial' rather than intended to cause upset, then the book would be different, and not necessarily better, without it.

If I'm reading something and find I don't like the language or the style of writing, I just stop reading that book and choose something else.

There are some usages of some words that I would call swearing and some usages of the same words that I would not call swearing. Swearing isn't just words, it involves attitude as well.

Jend I usually read books that have been recommended, or read a review of, or it may be that I have read other works by that author and enjoyed them.
On the odd occasion that I flick through them first, I wouldn't be put off by swearing, as such.
I would be put off by what my English teacher referred to as 'purple prose', or unrealistic dialogue.

Difficult one- I prefer TV programmes without swearing but if it is in character in books I am Ok with it.
We saw The Commitments musical last week- loved the book- loved the film & that is my sort of music. It was brilliant but continual swearing all the way through.However much to DH's surprise I didn't mind a bit because it was exactly how the people in south side Dublin would have spoken at that age & that time so it worked.
Somehow it is easier to take written down than spoken for me- I'm probably odd!

Jen sorry for the late response. I can usually tell by the blurb on the back, and then reading the first page if I stand a good chance of enjoying the book.

I started reading The Slap and encountered c* quite early so I stopped reading it. The use of this this word offends me greatly, so if I knew the book contained frequent use of the word I wouldn't read it. Having said that it seems to crop up in most texts now ,so I suppose we shall become sensitised to it as with other words. Yes I know its Anglo Saxon or something, but I hate it!!

It puts me right off, and if there is more than one or two per chapter I stop reading, blasphemy in particular upsets me.