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Original poster

Women's fiction WH Smiths hmmm?

91 replies

planetpotty · 09/09/2011 20:54

Heard an article on radio 4 yesterday stating WH Smiths had been written to and asked to remove the shop sign (the ones that stick out from the shelves showing different sections) showing "women's fiction" as it was highly offensive to women to pigeon hole them with the fluffy kind of titles found there. WH Smiths agreed to remove the signs!
I understand the argument but personally think

think this is going too far and also am a bit peeved I will now have to ask the shop assistant for the books that men probably wouldn't read??!!
Interested to see what others here think and if I've totally missed the point.

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Original poster
planetpotty · 09/09/2011 22:17

Bendy this is actually one of the things popped in my head whilst the radio programme was in but then thought many
(not me - it is what it is) could find chick lit offensive.

Women's fiction = chick lit in the little signs in shop world NOT here little women here's your bubbly books for you to read Smile

This thread has gone awry and I'd like to say I know I don't speak for womankind and If I did little blue signs in smths would not be top on my to do list Grin

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TrillianAstra · 09/09/2011 22:18

bran you might like this tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TheSmurfettePrinciple

TrillianAstra · 09/09/2011 22:20

They don't need to be top of your to do list. But it's a quick and easy small step in a positive direction. So what's your problem?

bran · 09/09/2011 22:24

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Original poster
planetpotty · 09/09/2011 22:27

There is and wasn't a problem - I just found it an intriguing subject and whilst being on mat leave and not having much stimulating conversation I thought it might be an interesting subject to discuss.

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DontCallMeFrothyDragon · 09/09/2011 22:29

My favourite trope has to be Manic Dream Pixie Girl... Should have seen how much I ranted about that trope in my last essay... Grin

Intriguingly enough, since reading into tropes and what not, I've reassigned my lead character in my novel - was originally a young man, now a young woman... And I'm finding it so hard not to turn him into a manic dream pixie boy... Grin

UsingMainlySpoons · 09/09/2011 22:45

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BecauseImWorthIt · 09/09/2011 22:50

What offended me was the ambiguity of it.

Is women's fiction fiction written by women? Or is women's fiction fiction written for women?

OP, I think you are, actually, on planet potty if you can't see how this is massively patronising and assumes that women are fundamentally stupid.

The minute I start choosing stuff that is merchandised to save me having to think is the moment I check my brains out with my cash.

BobBanana · 09/09/2011 22:50

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Original poster
planetpotty · 09/09/2011 22:51

Very good point spoons and one I'd not considered.

The playboy stationary/clothes/bedding etc what is that all about? - and they blatantly target a young audience.

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PatriciaHolm · 09/09/2011 22:51

Personally a sign saying "womens fiction" would operate as a warning that I would hate anything in that section. So quite useful actually Grin

[wanders off in search of Chris Ryan and then the Sci Fi section..]

DontCallMeFrothyDragon · 09/09/2011 22:52

Hmm Hardly on the same level, Bob...

Original poster
planetpotty · 09/09/2011 22:52

Ahhhh bob so not just me then Blush

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BecauseImWorthIt · 09/09/2011 22:54

Why was it a ridiculous request? I think the fact that WHS complied with so quickly indicates that their management also recognised how stupid and patronising it was.

Let us remember that women are not a minority.

Do we have to have merchandising signs saying 'men's fiction'?

No. So why do we need one saying 'women's fiction'?

BobBanana · 09/09/2011 22:56

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BobBanana · 09/09/2011 22:58

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Original poster
planetpotty · 09/09/2011 22:59

Ha ha becauseimworth I take your point but it didn't make me feel that way and like I've said none of the women I know would take offence to the signs. I do see how they could be taken as patronising but only ('scuse pun) if you read too much into them I think they were just pointing to the chick lit not making a massive statement about what women should/do read.

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BobBanana · 09/09/2011 23:00

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BecauseImWorthIt · 09/09/2011 23:08

Well, planetpotty, just because you know women who aren't offended by it doesn't make it any less offensive.

Bob - I'm not really sure what you're trying to say about commercial decisions. Are you, perhaps, trying to suggest that women don't buy very many books, therefore if WHS corral all those that they deem suitable for women together it will be easier for those of us with fluffier minds?

But, stepping back a little, and looking at the bigger picture, perhaps you and the OP would like to define 'women's fiction'?

What are the criteria that should be used to define books that are aimed at women?

I think you'll find, actually, that it's a pointless and stupid task. Just as it would be to try and define 'men's fiction'.

MitchiestInge · 09/09/2011 23:08

this is another good reason why women shouldn't be taught to read

notlettingthefearshow · 09/09/2011 23:08

When I see a 'women's fiction' sign, I know to walk straight past it! I guess there are sections for women's/men's magazines. I wouldn't read any of them so I am quite grateful for the signposting help so I can steer clear.

BobBanana · 09/09/2011 23:10

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MillyR · 09/09/2011 23:11

I must be walking around in a world of my own. I didn't even know it was called women's fiction in WH Smith. I also didn't know that supermarkets had a section called women's health. What is in it? Do we have enough different health needs to fill up a whole section?

I would have thought the reason that the Sophie Kinsella type books are not called romantic fiction is because that title is usually given to the Mills and Boon type books in libraries and book shops. The Sophie Kinsella type books are all in one section in our library, but I don't know what it is called.

BobBanana · 09/09/2011 23:12

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Original poster
planetpotty · 09/09/2011 23:14

I think in this case the smiths signs when they said women's fiction they meant chick lit. But like I've said I think that could cause offence also?

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