Many have made note of the “raunchy” books written by notable republicans and/or conservatives. Examples would include Bill O’Reilly’s book, those who trespass (a book I have read and which really isn’t that raunchy), Lynn Cheney’s Sisters (which includes lesbian love scenes) and now the 1996 book by news-making Lewis “Scooter” Libby, Vice President Cheney’s Chief of Staff, indicted for lying and obstructing justice in the Valerie Plame affair.
While books such as Cheney’s “Sisters” or O’Reilly’s “Those Who Trespass” are funny, if not exactly great literature, Libby’s book (based upon excerpts and reviews I have read, I have not nor do I intend to ever buy and/or read this book) is simply disgusting and degenerate.
The story focuses on the enforced prostitution of prepubescent girls in early 20th century Japan. A disgusting topic in itself, and one that hardly needs to be dramatized, especially in a book like this (which describes many sex acts with underage girls, as well as other disgusting sex acts and even bestiality).
Why this book was written I will never know. There is no need for it to be written. While the subject matter is of course based on something that was actually a problem (and is still a major problem today), the book itself seems to do little to attack this system, and seems to revel in its own degeneracy. The excerpts I have read are some of the most disgusting things I have ever seen written down, and I have read some pretty bad stuff.
The fact of the matter is that this book is entirely gratuitous. There is no overarching reason for it. There is no good done with this book. The fact that someone so high in the Presidential administration could think up/write about this stuff makes me want to vomit. Truthfully, it makes me physically ill.
This book does not need to be reprinted. I understand the reasons for it, but again I say there is no reason for it. Lynn Cheney writing about lesbian lovers in the Old West? In a somewhat detached fashion? That’s funny. O’Reilly writing in a couple of extremely tame sex scenes (by today’s standards) into his subpar mystery/thriller novel? Funny. The Vice President’s Chief of Staff glorifying bestiality (with a dead deer), rape, underage prostitution and underage sex acts? Degenerate. No need for it. Let the book fester in the underworld of all bad fiction. There is no need to bring it back into the light of day.
Although it does tell me a lot about the mind of Mr. Libby. And for that I am grateful, although a part of me wishes that this kind of stuff wasn’t written by some of the most powerful people in the nation.
Rating: 1