Oh there are so many ways I can finish that sentence! I could say I’m annoyed when…I have to pay the mortgage, my 12 year old argues with me, I don’t get enough sleep, oh the list could go on! But this has to do with a particular thing that happens in books.
So what got to me this time? This:
The heroine is so tiny that the author describes it in many ways. Her little hand touches the hero’s chest. Her hand, so tiny grabs his incredibly large….muscles – or whatever else is incredibly large. But we get that the hero is of massive personage and the heroine is so petite as to almost seem tinkerbellish. But the diminutive stature in particular isn’t what gets me. It’s when the pocket-sized nymph decides to go through and wear something of the jolly green giant’s (because of course her clothes were ripped off in the heat of passion) and all she has to do is roll those sweat pants a few times and they fit.
Excuse me? According to the descriptions in the book the heroine’s about 2 foot 10 and the hero is about 6’6” and 200 pounds. Ok, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but still, she’s short and petite and he’s tall and muscular. What in heavens name makes authors think I’m thick enough to believe that all that heroine needs to do is roll that waistband and those sweats are gonna fit? I’m sorry, but no. Ain’t never gonna happen. Maybe if she rolls it about 8 times which would then make the waistband about 10 inches thick and then puts a belt on, it might stay where it’s supposed to. I’d much rather just see the midget heroine wearing only the hero’s t-shirt – which would of course drag on the floor since she’s so microscopic – and call it a day.
Is it just me? Have you never noticed this before? Does this annoy you, too? Or is there something else that gets your goat? Go ahead, release the Kraken, let it all out.
Fortunately, this seems to be far less of an issue in m/m books. 🙂
Sounds like a fetish romance. 2'2 heroine gets smothered by 6'5 hero and wants more? 😉
Yes, Tracy, that is something that always bothers me when I come across it in books. I am a small person and there is no way I am wearing my husband's sweat pants comfortably and he's not a massive size like some of these male characters are. I always find the scenario ridiculous.
Chris – So true!
KB – Nope, no fetish romance. lol Alright so maybe the heroine is 5'2" or 5'3" and the hero is 6'5" – STILL! Very different in size.
Amy – I'm so happy I'm not the only one annoyed by this. lol PS – good to hear from you. 🙂
LOL! Hilarious! I'm always bothered by that too but for a different reason. It further reinforces tired gender stereotypes about the "bigger" (more "masculine") male and the frail, delicate (more "feminine") female.
UGH! Can we all throw up in unison?
Veg Can – lol I must admit I was probably feeling a bit LARGE when I wrote this, and I don't consider myself a large woman! haha
And it's true – it does seem that they are reinforcing the gender stereotypes. I also think they're saying, great things come in small packages and the women's personalities are always the go get em types.
You're funny. Made me laugh out loud.
At the party on the weekend Josh was putting on David's shoes (they are together), and David commented that they share shoes. I thought "Damn, another benefit to a gay relationship, if you plan it right your shoe options double." It's not like I'm ever going to find a guy who wears women's size 7 wedge heels. Well, to be honest I hope not. LOL
Yes that is annoying and ridiculous Tracy.
I'm thinking this story likely scored a 1.5 out of 5?
I'm giggling at KB's comment and your post though, forgive me – sleep deprived.
ROFL
Loved your post! And I agree. Those scenes always bothered me when I read them. My 5'2" cousin was married to a 6'6" man and not only did they look funny together, although I never mentioned it to her :D, but she simply would never have been able to wear his clothes.
Tam- lol Yes, that would be a huge beni with men wouldn't it. Lucky ducks. 🙂
And be GLAD you can't find any man that will share your shoes! lolol
Lea – Oh, it's not just been 1 book lately – just more than you'd think in the last month or so. I think I read it one too many times and went, WTF? lol
Lily – Happy to make you all laugh. I must admit to laughing a few times while I was posting. 🙂
I know a couple like that as well and she she would look like a child wearing daddy's clothes if she even attempted to wear her hubby's clothes! lol
I write some petite heroines but I've never focused on how small they are. It's an annoyance of mine too and sometimes it sounds creepy when an author focuses on how 'tiny' a heroine's hands are or whatever.
Katie – I totally agree. I understand there are my petite women in the world but to focus on it that much, and THEN say they could wear their S.O.'s pants? bwahahaha. Just too much for me. 🙂
LOL, Tracy! I totally agree with you.
*tried very hard not to giggle, particularly after reading KB's comment*
*gives in*
*clears throat*
I completely agree Tracy – it's annoying. But what's just as annoying (IMHO) is the author feels the need to continually remind the reader that the heroine is so tiny. What, we can't remember? Or do you need to remind us because it's just so unusual, having such a tiny heroine.
What annoys me most of all those are the endless beauty references and how the hero is struck dumb by the heroine's beauty. OK, so maybe I don't think I'm beautiful and I get you think that the heroine is (and that is, after all, the only reason the hero looks at her), but do you have to ram it down my throat?
Actually, that's what drives me mad. The insinuation that the hero only looks at the heroine because she is the most beautiful woman he had even seen. So, the slightly pretty woman with the lovely personality doesn't stand a chance, right? GRRRR!
*gets off soap box* Yes, it's a me thing.
Sandy – You're a smart person – agreeing with me, that is. lol
Orannia – Yep – those heroines are tiny – but yet they still fit in their heroes clothes. lol
I get annoyed by "the most beautiful woman he's ever seen" as well but I've learned to twist it around. I try to think while reading (and sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't) that the woman is the most beautiful woman TO HIM. Get it? Like, she may not be the most beautiful in the world, and maybe if another man saw her he wouldn't think she was, but to the hero she's the best. Again, it doesn't work all the time but it's a nice thought. 🙂
Is it a good thought – I will have to try it. One book that expressed that idea very well IMHO is Anne Gracie's The Perfect Rake. The hero couldn't see the heroine's 'diamond of the first water' sisters for the heroine. He called them (the sisters) 'yellow-haired chits'. I just adore that book and I really must purchase it for re-reads!
Sandy – Good to hear it. lol
Orannia – Oh that book sounds good – thanks for the tip! 🙂