The Dragon Keeper "Controversial?" Hobb and sexuality. *Major Spoilers up to RWC!

[hobblover]

Warning - This has major spoilers in it!



I have recently read a review of the book that says that Hobb has 'attempted' to be contraversial (in regards to an issue of sexuality). I can only assume that the author of this review is referring to the relationship between Hest and Sedric, or is it the marriage between Hest and Alise that is contraversial?

I find the Hobb's writing on the issue of homosexuality amazing. The relationship between the ambiguous Fool and Fitz, Lord Golden's dallyings with men, and now the relationship between Hest and Sedric were all written brilliantly, at times with a remarkable accuracy to real life relationships.

Being a gay male myself, I found myself parallelling the relationship between the Fool and Fitz to my relationship with my best male friend. Some may say that the Fool wasn't gay, but I like to change his (or her) role in Fitz's life every time I read the book.

Likewise, I found a relationship that I have previously been in mirroring that of Hest and Sedric's. I found it amusing to think that people saw the encounter between Hest and Sedric as 'rape'. Personally, I interpreted it as Hest meeting his first 'bad boy' and being completely smitten with him.

Other forum members have commented on the idea that Hobb is homophobic; however, being a gay guy who loves fantasy, I am delighted that Hobb incorporates gay characters within her texts in such a teriffic way. As soon as Sedric said "No, he hasn't been with any women..." I was really excited to read on to discover if Hest and Sedric were in a relationship. It was brilliantly done. I am even more interested to discover how Sedric's and Hest's characters will be played out.

Does anyone else have any thoughts on this issue?

Thanks for reading :

Mervi fixed the typo in the header.

Mervi edited the header to warn of spoilers about the other RotE books as well.