Image by Pretty as a Picture on DeviantArt.com
I'm as guilty as the next person in craving Pretty. I buy books that have Pretty covers or Pretty characters. My favorite Disney movie is Beauty and the Beast. And I'm always on the look-out for art and photography that express Pretty through an artist's eye (like this photo above, which is stunning. Wouldn't that make a great book cover?)
But I digress. Before writing this blog post, I got to thinking about Pretty in young adult literature. I can only come up with a handful of main characters that aren't Pretty. (And yes, I'm capitalizing Pretty on purpose, because the way I'm using it here makes it more of a proper noun. An entity unto itself.) There was The DUFF by Kodi Kelpinger, although interestingly enough, the main character, Bianca, is neither fat nor ugly. And there's The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson, where the main character starts out fat and with low self-esteem, but gradually becomes a force unto herself (coincidentally as she loses weight).
And then I got to thinking, would people still read a YA (particularly the romantic books) if the characters weren't Pretty? What if Anna from Anna and the French Kiss wore a size 14? Or what if your favorite kick-butt heroine was so plain she was almost invisible? Even when the characters don't see themselves as Pretty, it turns out that everyone else thinks of them that way. (Think Bella Swan or Lena Haloway from Delirium.)
Putting the media and marketers aside, why is it that we don't read books about normal looking people? Or for that matter, why don't we as authors write more normal-looking people? When was the last time you read a book where the MAIN CHARACTER had an acne problem? Why do we consistently reinforce the message that you'll only ever be in a supporting role if you're not Pretty?
I have all these questions swirling through my brain, knowing I suffer from these very problems myself, but I don't have any answers (short of calling myself shallow, that is). I mean, did I not spend hours scouring the internet looking for the most beautiful brunette I could possibly find for the cover of my own novel? And what can I do about it going forward without losing readers? After all, you don't get the TV news from unattractive anchors. Are people will to read about unattractive characters, even if their looks are not the focus of the novel?
So here's what I want to know -- particularly from any teens out there -- would you be more or less likely to read a YA novel where the character had a physical flaw or was less than attractive? Would you pick up a book if the cover model looked like the girl on the right instead of the one on the left? Or or why not?
Honestly, I think the girl on the right looks like she has a lot more personality! Pretty covers sell books. But I highly doubt many authors viewed their characters as that beautiful, probably more normal. And the covers are out of their control.
ReplyDeleteBut that does seem to fit in with American culture of beauty which I think most people disagree with!
what I think is so interesting is that as a culture, the majority of us say, "this isn't a true image of beauty. this isn't the norm." But we still love the pretty covers and swoon over them and talk about how beautiful they are on our blogs. It's like a catch-22 and I guess I can't blame the publishing industry for realizing that, like sex, pretty sells.
DeleteAbsolutely a fabulous post, and very appropriate for these times. It seems that no matter where we go, we go after pretty.
ReplyDeleteI think that, when I was younger, I was more apt to go for an MC that was pretty. I think, if I'm honest, that's what I wanted in my heroine. I didn't want it announced a million times as I've seen some authors do, but I wanted it to be there.
Now, it doesn't matter at all which way it goes. Ugly, fat, thin, beautiful...in fact, I prefer that, unless the plot surrounds the MCs looks (as in Duff or In Her Shoes), then it has to be mentioned. But if it's not the main plot, the main theme isn't about learning to see inner beauty either in yourself or someone else, then why mention whether a character is beautiful or ugly? The reader doesn't need to know anyway unless it's relevant to the story.
good point. we can still describe our characters without needing to classify them as being Pretty (or not).
DeleteDefinitely go with the girl on the right. Girl on the left looks bored with a forced smile. Girl on the right looks like she's been caught doing something naughty and is trying to feign innocence. "Who Me???" She the one who instantly caught my interest.
ReplyDeletethat tells me that personality matters far more than pure looks -- maybe publishers would be wise to play up personalities on their covers.
DeleteWell, I try to not judge a book by it's cover, and this helps at the libraray - you can only see the spine! So yes, I would read the book with the girl on the right, as long as the cover flap was interesting.
ReplyDeleteAlso, the last book I read with a girl with acne problems was, coincidentaly, two days ago. Granted it took place in some magic kingdom and the acne was the result of a medicine hoping to cure the girl of bipolor disease, but still:)
huh - that's really interesting. Care to share the name of book you read?
DeleteOn those occasions where a character has appeared on my covers, I'm always vaguely flabbergasted by their looks.
ReplyDeleteWith Rain Is Not My Indian Name, I had a protagonist who mentioned on more than one occasion that it was her brother who was considered the attractive one in the family. Then I received the cover where she vaguely resembled Natalie Portman and recall thinking, Wow, I wonder what her brother looks like! But as mentioned, authors have only so much (usually no) control over such things.
That said, I believe girls of all shapes and sizes are beautiful, and when the occasion arises, I weave that sensibility into my fiction. This is a line from Diabolical: "Like all angels, she’s exquisite—in her case, with waist-long, dark curly hair, full breasts, wide hips, and long, tapered fingers."
It's not heavy handed; the text doesn't dwell. But curves don't foreclose beauty. And, on the other hand, "in her case" indicates they're not required for it.
You have to do what's right for your art and the character sensibility at hand, but it does make a difference. When I was a teen, two of my friends had serious eating disorders, one requiring multiple hospitalizations, and like so many of life's experiences, that informs my writing.
Thanks for sharing your story and insights, Cynthia. And for reminding us that authors aren't necessarily the ones responsible for perpetuating the need for Pretty!
DeleteInteresting question. We do tend to idealize heroines in our collective imaginations, don't we? For example--how do you imagine Scarlett O'Hara? Now, how did her author describe her? First words in the novel: "Scarlett O'Hara was not beautiful...."
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that. So our idealization of Pretty isn't new, apparently.
DeleteI have noticed whenever there is a "fat" main character she always has to lose weight by the end of the book. Is there ever a book where the MC is just fat throughout?
ReplyDeletethere's got to be, right? The only thing even close that I can think of is Hairspray, but I don't think it was ever a book.
DeleteI totally crave pretty, and it makes me sick. I was reading a book recently - it may have even been Lola and the Boy Next Door? I can't remember - where I found myself being upset that the main character wasn't described as beautiful. I caught myself, chastised myself, but that was my immediate reaction.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing, Laura! You shouldn't be mad at yourself though -- as a society, I think we're being brainwashed and at least you recognize what you're doing and change your thinking.
DeleteThank you for this great post! The ideal of Pretty is something I see throughout YA especially, and while I sort of understand why we do it, it still bothers me how heroines are either super fabulous or seen as such. What really bugs me about the idea of pretty though is the emphasis the YA genre has on the heroes, the love interests especially, who are all so 'hawt.' I mean I understand why, eye candy after all, but shouldn't our kick ass heroines look for something beyond their superficial characteristics? Maybe it's just me? :S
ReplyDeletegreat point! and I think we create this idea that the perfect guy is the total package of "hawt" and smart and funny and athletic and musically talented, etc. Our leading ladies should be falling for "normal" guys (just like we all did.)
DeleteI'd automatically go for the girl on the right, no question. That expression implies personality, and I'm interested in reading about girls with vivid personalities, mental and physical strength, fire, determination, a sense of humor, kindness, hobbies, obsessions, GOALS.
ReplyDeleteI don't give a damn if she weighs 250 pounds or 99; if she has a symmetrical face or a wonky nose like me. If that's clearly part of her character, part of who she IS, that's cool. Otherwise looks become a stage mask to cover up other deficiencies.
Most of the time, the character's attractiveness doesn't even matter and doesn't need a declaration in the book. "Rose-Lily-Belle had a face more beautiful than a sunset over the ocean....blah blah shoot me now perfect hair emerald violet eyes flawless airbrushed-like-Madonna skin blah..."
Ugh. No thank you. This is primarily my annoyance with female beauty obsession coming out, so forgive the tone. But I'm SICK of reading about pretty girls with doormat personalities, who suffer from Bella Syndrome: characters that are an empty doll you can project your fantasies onto. Give me more Scarlett O'Haras! I'm tired of girl characters who are just pretty. Sure, they can be pretty, but they need more going for them than that. More power to the unique, flawed girls who rock it!
P.S. As I was reading this and responding, I was thinking of Katie Makkai's slam poetry on the word Pretty. Definitely worth a look! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6wJl37N9C0&list=FLYnkqds3mmUG8bkh9MS3W3w&index=13&feature=plpp_video
Thanks for the link, Ashlynn. You are definitely not alone in the Bella-backlash. While I personally relate to Bella b/c I was always sort of a clumsy doormat in high school, and I think she was fine when written, it seems we are readers are ready to move on to other characters and other personalities.
DeleteIt's frustrating that we all want Pretty, and yet we do. The Zellie books have had three covers: No people on the cover, drawing of a realistic 16-year-old girl on the cover, photo of a model on the cover. Guess which one has been the most popular? I don't do a lot of character description because I want people to imagine what they think the characters look like and I try to only describe them as "beautiful" in the eyes of the person that loves them. Still, I've made a couple of characters really hot because I thought I needed to. (And, it's fun to write about hot boys. ha!)
ReplyDeleteAs someone who has been fat pretty much forever, I'd love to see a book with a heroine who is not only fat, but doesn't lose weight and still gets the guy. I mean, it happens in real life or I wouldn't be married. :)
I'd like to read (and write) about average looking characters. I think the girl on the right is cute even with the dorky glasses. I like character. For a book about a girl who isn't considered beautiful or petite, but gets the guy, read Joan Bauer's Squashed.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recommendation, Alice. I'll have to check that one out.
DeleteYes! I actually like it when the main character (or love interest) is not described as incredibly beautiful or handsome. That doesn't meant that they can't be considered attractive or desirable by the love interest, mind you, because plain people fall in love too :) But I like it... it gives the story an extra something, in my mind. Maybe I just get a little weary of all the flawlessly beautiful people. Of course, I could ramble on about how our ideal of beauty isn't really shared by everyone (I have a huge thing for skinny, nerdy-looking boys... I think they are incredibly hot even tho that isn't the mainstream mindset, but I digress)...
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a kid I loved this book called Mara: Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw. It was historical fiction set in Egypt, and the love interest, Lord Sheftu, was described as quite ugly, although he had such a smooth personality and a way of walking and just a presence that people always ended up being attracted to him anyway. I found that absolutely fascinating--the acknowledgement that someone might be more than their static appearance in terms of physical attraction (you know, they can be attractive cuz they're GRACEFUL), let alone their actual personality and so forth. I've been looking for books like it ever since.
I love that concept of beauty you describe in Mara. I think we all know people like that, who aren't swoon-worthy, but are attractive because the have such a powerful or fun personality. Glad to hear it left such a strong impression on you.
DeleteI agree with others--I'd read the one on the right because she looks like she has a story to tell! I actually veer toward covers that are more nondescript or where the characters are shadowed or...well, not models.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Katie in the comment above me--there are books I've read where the characters aren't described as beautiful, or maybe they think they're ugly and someone who loves them tells them they're pretty. I like seeing characters who are...well, not perfect.
One book that sticks out from childhood (which I've since read to my kids) is "Jennifer Murdley's Toad" by Bruce Coville. It was about a very plain, fat little girl who hated how ugly she felt and hated being teased about her size...and how she had to come to choose to be beautiful or not. It's a GREAT story with great morals.
But I think, too, that people want to write pretty characters because maybe it's an escape, or society pushes all their images of perceived beauty on us and we see that beauty is marketable. Or maybe an author struggles with something in their own body image and doesn't want to write that. Hmmm...this is a very thought-provoking post.
Your comment reminds me of Delirium, b/c the MC there didn't see herself as pretty but her boyfriend does. Of course, on the cover, she's pretty stunning despite her own self-image ...
DeleteGreat conversation. Beauty is only skin deep. I actually don't think the girl on the right is un-pretty. She's more attractive than the girl on the left because she has personality.
ReplyDeleteYup. I started writing a book that has the main character as a very unattractive fat girl. I was thinking the same thing the other day, that most, if not all, of what I read is about the pretty people. I have come to somewhat of a conclusion that most of us write about who we wish we could be. Yet, when I started writing about this main character I found parts of myself in the book even though I'm not ugly, or fat. I related it to the hard times I had in my childhood and wow, I didn't realize I had that much to say!
ReplyDeleteyou've got a good point - we all carry around our own baggage and our characters are likely to reflect (or even magnify) that baggage.
DeleteOoo, good questions. My characters are always flawed but not necessarily physically. Just read a book by Jennifer Weiner where the middle age woman's hose were digging into her midsection and I thought that was brilliant because what woman doesn't understand that??
ReplyDeleteAre you going to do a sudden reveal that both pictures are of the same woman? The noses and upper teeth are similar, and they both have strong chins. The harsh light on the right washes out the eyebrows and smile lines, making it hard to tell. Just change the hair, and can we really know it's not the same person--one pose for a professional photo shoot, the other pose just goofing?
ReplyDeletethey actually are of the same actress. amazing what the right makeup and lighting will do for someone... and I wanted to make the point that we could have identical cover models, but depending on how they're dressed and positioned, we may feel quite differently about reading the book.
DeleteYes! The XY person on this entry figured it out!
DeleteYou know what else came to mind as I was reading this post? It's not only pretty descriptions we crave - it's also pretty names. So many books the hero and heroine have beautiful (in contemporary standard) or eccentric names that ring of beauty and originality. Bella, Penryn, Lauren, Hannah - and don't get me wrong, I'm not dissing those names! In fact, when I sit down to write a story, I'm just as guilt - I try to think of a 'beautiful' name that hasn't been overused.
ReplyDeleteOf course our craving for beautiful names is a little more understandable then our craving for beautiful faces - don't we spend months dreaming up the perfect names for our children? Then of course we would for our stories, and their heroes.
Great post.
I should (guiltily) mention too, after sufficiently chastising my own weakness, that it was not only the title of this post, but the picture in the thumbnail that drew my attention enough to read it, out of the long list of posts on my google reader. This paragraph may be terribly written, but it proves your premise is correct!
ReplyDeleteI totally get it. I loved that picture too and I feel like I'm always on the look out for beautiful potential cover art. Thanks for admitting your susceptibility to Pretty. :)
DeleteBecause I wear glasses, I'd like to say I'd pick up the novel with the girl on the right, but if I'm really honest, I'd pick up the one on the left. It's all about the fantasy, I think. When I read, I want to be the pretty main characters.
ReplyDeleteActually, I think I'd be more likely to read about a flawed character. I love seeing triumph of the underdog! Pretty girls make me slightly nervous... :)
ReplyDelete