Is Bet Me Pornographic?

In class we talked about whether or not romance novels were really just pornography for women. The reasons behind this debate were because some of it is written rather explicitly and it's pretty much impossible to draw the line between porn and a love scene. We decided that it depended on the intent of the author or artist or director (etc.), and on the reaction of the viewer. We also thought it depended on the sort of language used in the movie, book, magazine (etc.). If the language is more vulgar, the thing in question is probably pornographic. However, I also think it has something to do with the way the content is showed to the viewer. For example, if the sex in it is more blunt and, well, obvious, kind of, it's more likely to be pornographic.

Based on these points, I really don't think that the sex scene in Bet Me was pornographic at all. I think it was just a way to finally express all the sexual tension between Cal and Min and, while I think the book would have worked without that scene, I think it worked a whole lot better with that scene. There just didn't seem to be anything pornographic about it. It didn't have any of the elements we discussed.

We also talked about the epilogue that Jennifer Crusie put into the book. The general thought about it seemed to be that people didn't like it. I, however, did like it. I actually like when authors put those sorts of endings into their books because I like to know just a basic summary of what happens after big huge story. For me, it's easier to put a book down and have a feeling of closure. It's more satisfactory for me.

The last thing I wanted to talk about was how everyone seemed to think that it was unrealistic for Min and Cal's families to go to Min's apartment to stop Cal from "seducing Min." To me, it seemed totally realistic because my dad's very protective of me. If he ever got a strange call saying some guy was seducing me to win a bet, he would definitely come to my house. He would probably bring his shotgun with him! And I'm not kidding. So, to me, it made perfect sense for Min's family, at least, to go to protect her. And it made sense for Cal's mom to go so that she wouldn't have to worry about him shaming her family - even though it didn't work.