Reading Something New
I decided that after many years of the Tom Clancy hype, I’d try reading one of his books again. The first time, I think I started with Clear and Present Danger. It was about ten years ago that I tried it, and I just couldn’t get into it. My husband advised me to try Patriot Games instead, and it’s moving much quicker. 
I thought it would be interesting to compare men’s military spy/thriller fiction (whatever you want to call it) with romance. One of the trickier aspects of writing romance is getting inside the male mindset and yet making it appealing to women. We love alpha males, but they can’t be too cavemen in their demeanor or we’d toss the book against the wall.
Clancy creates a likable character in Jack Ryan, but I just about fell over when I read a few lines about the wife’s character, Cathy Ryan. As a surgeon, she has that no-nonsense air about her, and that part I could buy. When Jack Ryan is wounded and their four-year-old daughter is present at the scene, I had a bone to pick with the dialogue Clancy chose. In her efforts to save Ryan’s life, Cathy yells at a policeman (in regard to her daughter), “Get her away from here.”
Maybe it’s the mom in me overreacting, but I would NEVER say that about my kid. I might yell to the policeman, “Take her, please.” Or to my child, “Stay here. I’ll be right back.” I wouldn’t yell, “Get her away from here!” To me, it just sounds harsh.
Now, I could COMPLETELY buy it if a father said that. Not a mother. My husband and I had a disagreement. He claims that a doctor wouldn’t care about her child–that all she’d be thinking about is saving her husband’s life. It’s true that you would be thinking about your husband bleeding on the pavement, but I’d be just as concerned about my 4-year-old wandering into the path of a stray terrorist. 
I won’t belabor the issue, but it was interesting to see how a man would write the character of a woman. It’ll be interesting to see as the book progresses, whether he pulls her off in a convincing manner.
What’s your opinion on Tom Clancy novels?
Michelle posted in Writing @ 8:02 am | Viewed 1250 times
Kelly Says:
I’m not sure how realistic that dialogue is, I guess it depends on just how no nonsense this woman was. As for Tom Clancy, I’ve never read him. If I want to read a thriller/spy type novel I usually lean towards Daniel Easterman.
Robyn Says:
Michelle- I am a Clancy fan, as is my husband. Although I really like the character of Cathy, she doesn’t go through nearly the mommy angst that she would if she were written by a woman.
beth Says:
Hm. Patriot Games is one of my favorites. And I think I’ve always liked Cathy Ryan because she seems to be a lot like me.
No holds barred, not too wussy, capable, intelligent, etc. I can’t comment on the “mom reaction” since I’m not one - but I’ve never felt her response was out of character to her.
I love romance novels, but one of my major complaints with just about every heroine is that they’re running around looking for a man to take care of them - even if they say they aren’t (they give in way too easily all in the name of love. Whatever.) I love my husband deeply, but that hasn’t really softened my independence or ability to take care of myself. We have a true partnership and I just never really see that in romance novels. I do think Clancy created one. The fact that he (Clancy) chose to make his heroine a surgeon - instead of all the other “more typically female” careers he could’ve chosen - esp. when contrasted to the fact that Jack is now an analyst and teacher (much more of a typically feminine career - sure he used to be a Marine, but now he’s in research) and they’re both ok with that. Well, he wins big points with me for that. That said, I haven’t read much of his since the early 90s - I feel like his writing took a nosedive and became too…formulaic.
What can I say? As a reader, I’m tough to please.
Emma Sinclair Says:
I took a course in college called “Men Writing Women.” It was a really cool class and full of things like that. Just little things that as women (we were all women in the class) just didn’t sit right with us.
Of course I’d imagine most men would have issues with the way women write men, too, so everything works out evently in the end.
Missie Says:
Michelle,
No man I know would ever say crap like that. More like, “I really love you. Alot. Life is better with you. Marry me.”
I agree that sometimes, it’s funny how men write about women. But my REAL PET PEEVE is when women write about men in a totally unrealistic fashion. :blahblah:
Example: Hero is alpha male on steroids who kicks butt and takes names :boxing:, then when he’s trying to convince the heroine he really does love her and not just her hot bod, he says stuff like, “I constructed walls around my heart, but you broke through them. I had shied away from commitments before you made me realize that I can truly open myself up to love and take a chance.” HUH?
Am I the only one who throws the book against the wall when that happens?
(am addicted to your smilies…Must. Stop. Clicking.):fryingpan:
Stephanie Says:
I haven’t read Tom Clancy, but I can see that dialogue ringing true for the woman’s character. My sister is very much like that — minces no words, very serious and precise. As a mom, she’s loving, but she’s definitely not as “soft” as other mothers. I can totally see her yelling, “Get her away from here!” It’s a practical statement, uttered by a practical woman — doesn’t mean she’s not a loving mom.
Just my 2 cents!
Bosey
Rene Says:
I liked Clancy although I hurled “Patriot Games” against a wall. Thought it was just awful. When Jack speaks to the Prince, I gagged, the dialogue was so bad.
I really liked “Hunt for Red October” but my favorite was “Red Storm Rising.” I loved his fast pace and mutiple story lines. I stopped at “Sum of All Fears.” I didn’t think it was all that interesting. DH still likes him a lot but he leaves me cold.
Crystal* Says:
Don’t read ‘em.
BUT…
I do read James Patterson. His Alex Cross novels. And then I tried his lighter works where he tried his hand at romance. Just doesn’t seem to hit the right button with me. Maybe if he were to pick two different genres. Dunno. But I do know that I enjoy Catherine Coulter’s genres. The romance and the thriller.
And Kay Hooper can weave the tales with both, God bless her.
Grins*
Stacy Says:
I haven’t read any of his books though my dad has over the years.
Funny though about the man’s perspective. I critique one man’s ms which was a romantic thriller and I remember suggesting some ideas of how a mother would react to the endangerment of their child because his weren’t believable either.
Melissa Says:
I haven’t read any of Clancy’s books yet. I’ve watched some of the movies, though, and “Patriot Games” is one of my favorites.
Tori Lennox Says:
I haven’t read Tom Clancy, though if I run out of books to read at my library, he may be next on my list.
Amy K. Says:
I’ve never read him. (And am glad to see I’m not the only one. *phew*)
Missie Says:
In my extremely long ranty post, forgot to say, love the movies, didn’t like the books. I thought he used too much foul language. And I could see my hub yelling, “get her outta here”, but I can’t see me doing it. I will let you know what I actually do the next time my savetheworldfrombadguys husband gets hurt and I use my superior medical skills to try to save him.:shimmy:
MaryF Says:
I remember reading this book a LONG time ago when I was on my all things Irish kick. I can buy a woman who needs to focus on one thing shouting that, especially if she doesn’t want her daughter to possibly see her father die.