.png)
Dirty Worlds and Feeling Dirty: Writing that Gives Readers the Ick
Updated: Jul 30, 2023
A Short Post on Writing that Gives Readers the Ick
Contents:
Today, I want to give a quick nod to the yucky side of fiction.
Many years ago, I read a book titled Nexhuman by Francesco Verso. It was a sci-fi set in a dystopian nightmare, and followed the main character as he navigated a world filled with garbage in search of his fem-robot obsession.
I originally came across this book on Netgalley, I think having just been released as an English translation(?).
I should tell you right off the bat, that even though this post is on the negative side (as in things to avoid), I’m not sure if I would classify the whole book as bad. I have mixed feelings about it. It started off quite strong, the writing is not unintelligent, and the cover is magnificent.
But on the other hand, there were also many points in the story that left me wondering…."is this bad, lazy, or genius?"
I will say that there were things about the book that I definitely did not appreciate. Like the alternate endings. I hate alternate endings. They really detract from the sense of finality that I feel a book needs to have. But that is just my opinion.
The other thing did not appreciate is what I want to focus on here today.
It was Dirty.
Filthy in fact. And I don’t mean, filthy like a porno, nor do I mean it used filthy language like too many F-words.
No. It was filthy like a garbage bin. Like a big dumpster sitting outside an old asylum with two hobos in it….and they were making the porno.
Did I hate this book?
I have no idea.
...But I could make an argument for it.
Hyperbole aside, what exactly do I mean when I say this book was dirty? Well, I will tell you, but first should give you a quick rundown of the book, so we are on the same page.
Synopsis
Nexhuman follows a Peter through his adolescence into adulthood. He lives in a world that has become nothing but a massive landfill. Society's materialism has resulted in too much garbage to handle.
It is also set in a future where advanced technologies and genetic engineering have blurred the boundaries between humans and machines. The book explores themes such as materialism, transhumanism, artificial intelligence, and the consequences of smudging the line between humanity and technology.
What’s "Dirty" In Nexhuman?
Short answer: Everything.
Every description, every character, every theme, and every plot point.
I’m going to outline what Verso did wrong so hopefully you can avoid writing that gives readers the ick!
Setting of garbage.
Literally in this case.
Nothing is beautiful in this book. Except Alba (the female robot) in the first number of chapters which was a great juxtaposition.
But it was short lived. In fact, everything seemed to just get physically grosser as the book progressed. The places they live are disgusting, the places they work are disgusting, the places they hang out are even more disgusting.
There is no beauty in the world as all. And it's described effectively as such.
The characters are just gross.
Apart from Girlbot, Alba, (and she is beheaded quickly) none of them were described as good looking by any stretch. Not that characters have to be attractive, but everyone has at least one positive trait. Even the ugliest person in the world would have at least one single positive trait!
I had high hopes for the main character in this book. I really did.
Everyone else around him was a dick (or seriously disturbed, like the childhood friend who grew up to be a corpse pimp) but it seemed that the protagonist was going to overcome this fate as he matured because he had love (even if it was all in his head).
However, he did not. His innocent crush quickly turned to obsession and then total destruction of his psyche.
Now, maybe this was on purpose.
Perhaps this whole book was an allegory about humanity's obsession with technology and how we all start off with good intentions but it…does what? Takes us over? I don’t know. Like I said, maybe this book is brilliant…but maybe it’s not.
Either way, the characters left me feeling all icky inside.
Why Verso's Writing Gave Me the Ick - The Mean Rant Portion of Today's Post
Verso must believe that there is nothing quite as enjoyable as subjecting readers to a constant onslaught of filth and grime. Maybe there is a sadistic element there.
Who needs beauty or uplifting moments when you can drown in an ocean of disgust? The book masterfully achieves an unparalleled lack of balance by never once giving readers a breath of fresh air amidst the nauseating stench.
Verso has decided to forego the notion of moderation and instead bombards readers with an unrelenting parade of repulsive descriptions. Every page is drenched in filth, every scene is meticulously crafted to maximize the reader's sense of discomfort.
Actually, he is quite skilled in doing so. Again, he might just be a genius.
You begin to think there might be glimpse of beauty coming to offset the grotesque? Think again. This book is a testament to the power of overwhelming the senses with an unabashed lack of restraint.
Perhaps he believes that nowadays, readers are in dire need of desensitization, for who wants to retain any semblance of sensitivity or emotional connection while reading?
This book is a masterclass in undermining reader engagement, leaving people feeling cold and indifferent. Now that I think of it, you would do well to read this book for a lesson on show, don't tell.
He shows you, but you won't feel good about it.
Oh, but if you do read it, prepare to be swept away by a tidal wave of negative emotions.
Disgust, discomfort, and an unshakable feeling of ickiness will become your constant companions. Forget about any positive or uplifting moments; they simply do not exist in this world of perpetual repulsiveness. Verso has skillfully crafted an experience that will linger in your mind, leaving you with a bad taste in your mouth long after you've closed the book.
So....Good for him?
And in case you were wondering, the lack of redeeming qualities in the characters' personalities perfectly complements the filthy world-building. Verso understands that relatable and sympathetic characters are vastly overrated (sarcasm by the way).
If you agree, don't worry. Nexhuman ensures that readers are fully numb to any shred of empathy, with its unapologetically nasty characters who will make you squirm more the deeper you get to know them.
Who needs someone to root for or connect with? This book is not interested in such frivolities. It prefers to showcase characters whose personalities are as repugnant as the world they inhabit, just to make sure you have absolutely no reason to find any enjoyment in the story at all.
- End Rant -
I'm glad I got that off my chest.
Why is Dirty Bad?
So, if my little tirade above didn't convince you that maybe you should tone it down a bit on the grime, I will spell out the consequences for your writing.
What is wrong with a dark and twisted world, anyway? Let’s face it; not everything can be peachy and innocent. Have I not said before, in this post here, in fact, that sci-fi is a serious, dark, nihilistic genre and should be proud of those traits?
What if Verso just wanted to write a book about the disgusting future that our actions in the present are leading us to. And he did that well, I won't lie.
What is a true pessimist to do?
I love the darker side of writing. I tend towards gory and gross horror, disturbing thrillers, hard-hitting sci-fi, and grimdark fantasy. But…but but but…
But there are good reasons to not overdo it.
You can’t appreciate the bad without something good to put it in contrast.
I’m not going to go into this much because it is the topic of the last post on juxtaposition. But I will say that disgust is not an emotion that people can maintain for an extended period of time.
We will quickly become desensitized to it, or if we don’t, we tend just to put down the book or turn off the movie. (Who here got through Martyrs and thought, "wow, gotta watch that again sometime.")
We will not relate to the characters and story.
These things do not need to be “good” in the positive sense of the word, but they should at least be appealing and relatable. Things that are 100% good or bad are hard to relate to and are therefore not appealing to the reader.
On top of that, your characters become static. They cannot grow, unless it is from gross to grosser. Is this always a problem? I’d say no. But if every character in the book is the same, your story becomes boring and predictable...or deeply upsetting.
Your reader is a human being (most likely), and human beings have brains that work under a certain set of psychological patterns.
One of these patterns is our tendency to project. If your book is nothing but dirty characters living in a dirty world and doing dirty things, they will begin to feel like they are dirty too.
People do not like to feel disgusting. Generally, this will cause them to stop what they are doing that makes them feel this way. There are always exceptions, but most people don’t want to feel gross.
Another consequence of projection is that they will start to think YOU are dirty, disgusting, and gross because your writing is. You as an author risk losing future readers, because ‘Dirty’ is the thought they will have of you every time they see or hear your name.
So maybe just tone it down a bit. Cool? If your world and story really have to be that disgusting, at least give your protagonist a cute....dimple or something....
Conclusion
Nexhuman stands as an unrivaled masterpiece of unrelenting repugnance, immersing readers in a world where filth reigns supreme and beauty is but a distant memory.
The author's audacious disregard for balance or moderation results in an onslaught of revolting descriptions, leaving no room for respite or contrasting elements. This deliberate choice aims to desensitize readers, numbing their capacity for empathy and leaving them adrift in an abyss of disgust.
It serves as a cautionary tale for fiction writers, a stark reminder of the perils of excessively grossing out readers.
While exploring the darker realms of storytelling can be compelling, it is essential to strike a delicate balance, lest one risks overwhelming and alienating the very audience they seek to engage.
Proceed with caution, my friends, for venturing too far into the realm of repulsion may leave you readers with a lingering distaste and a reluctance to embark on future literary journeys with you.
Until next time, keep writing.
.png)
