Me Too

This post is a slight diversion from my others about books and literature. I have watched with interest the revelations about the ogre in Hollywood who has been praying on young actresses. Like many people I wondered why such famous people had allowed this to happen but read a piece yesterday which said he approached them when young and vulnerable. This still leaves me to wonder why as they became famous and could speak their mind these women did not speak up. Were they so afraid of losing their careers they allowed this man to continue to prey on vulnerable young women. What gives any man the right to do this and why is their power allowed to manipulate such a confident young group of women.

I have entitled this blog post 'Me Too' as I experienced sexual abuse at the hands of my ex-husband. As I learn more about the damage his narcissism has done to me, his need for an overdose of sex and inability to understand my refusals after many years of abuse  were based in anguish and fear. I no longer wished to be intimate with a man who treated me as an object of his desires, a woman so fearful he ruled my whole being. This has left me fearful of any men and subservient to any in a place of power. I find it very difficult to sit near a man, touch one in a friendly manner, and unable to have more than a fleeting friendship with men. So I applaud the Me Too movement but would be reluctant to paste this on my Facebook page for fear of reprisals. Those who are famous can expect only support, but us lesser mortals can become the object of trolls and disbelief at our claims. I hope this phrase allows braver women to bring their abuse out into the open.

I wrote a long blog post several days ago which somehow disappeared. I had attached several photos which may have been the cause. I have been watching reruns of Jane Austen's wonderful novel, Pride and Prejudice. Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle have, I am convinced, provided us with the best portrayl to date of Mr Darcy and Elizabeth. I have been so enraptured by the series I have been watching some of the main clips again on You Tube.

I think it is sad that English literature no longer seems to be taught in our secondary schools. While it is essential that students read and understand modern literature I have yet to find a book described as literary fiction written more recently that gives me the same thrill as the likes of Jane Austen or the Brontes. As these books are still taught in our universities, often as examples of good writing and the ability to absorb themes into stories, nothing today even surpasses or comes near the good literature.



I have read several new pieces of literature and the only book which stays in my mind is 'All the Light the World Cannot See'. This is a work of absolute gifted writing and storytelling. I would recommend it to anyone. I am surprised it has not been turned into a movie yet, though I guess a movie could do little justice to the words which fly from the pages and express themselves into our souls. I hope he is writing another book which will take the world by storm again. While Dan Brown is not the creative literary author many claim him to be his books are of the sort one cannot put down. I have just purchased 'Origin' for my kindle, I hope I can find a quiet weekend to read this when little else will get done.