Helpful Score: 1
I've enjoyed all the previous Body Farm books, and have rated them 4 and 5 stars. This one I'm only giving 1 star, and I admit I haven't even finished it. In general I don't mind when an author includes some political stance, but this one went too far. Miranda, a character who works as a lab assistant to Dr Brockton, talks about her feelings of "white guilt" for having lived a life the result of "white privilege."
First, while one can honestly feel sympathy, perhaps even pity, for those who have not received the same blessings, guilt is a feeling reserved for our own wrongful actions.
Second, Miranda has worked hard to get to the point where she's finished her dissertation and is looking forward to being awarded a doctorate. No one handed her research to her on a silver platter. And she's not entering a field designed to make her wealthy. The median income for forensic anthropologists is only $55k, and even a tenured professor such as Dr Brockton would only be earning $90k at UT. While she will probably live comfortably - once she's paid off the student debt she's probably accumulated over many years - she's not going to be living in the lap of luxury.
Third, Miranda accuses Donald Trump of making racism and fascism patriotic. That's total B.S. There are probably as many racists who have dark skins as those who have white. As for fascism, it's not Trump supporters who have dressed in black and worn masks while they perpetrate unprovoked attacks. Hitler had his Brown Shirts, but Mussolini's fascists also wore black. It's liberal political correctness that is fascist in that it denies that the opinions of anyone else have validity.
The main plot of the book seemed good, and a subplot that had just started where I left off reading also appeared interesting. It's a shame that the authors felt the need to insert their radical, preachy opinions. Harper Lee, in To Kill a Mockingbird, did more for influencing thoughts on racism without resorting to a bully pulpit.
I found Miranda's remarks in this book to be extremely offensive. While I don't deny the authors the right to express their beliefs, I do not have to support them by continuing to buy their books.
First, while one can honestly feel sympathy, perhaps even pity, for those who have not received the same blessings, guilt is a feeling reserved for our own wrongful actions.
Second, Miranda has worked hard to get to the point where she's finished her dissertation and is looking forward to being awarded a doctorate. No one handed her research to her on a silver platter. And she's not entering a field designed to make her wealthy. The median income for forensic anthropologists is only $55k, and even a tenured professor such as Dr Brockton would only be earning $90k at UT. While she will probably live comfortably - once she's paid off the student debt she's probably accumulated over many years - she's not going to be living in the lap of luxury.
Third, Miranda accuses Donald Trump of making racism and fascism patriotic. That's total B.S. There are probably as many racists who have dark skins as those who have white. As for fascism, it's not Trump supporters who have dressed in black and worn masks while they perpetrate unprovoked attacks. Hitler had his Brown Shirts, but Mussolini's fascists also wore black. It's liberal political correctness that is fascist in that it denies that the opinions of anyone else have validity.
The main plot of the book seemed good, and a subplot that had just started where I left off reading also appeared interesting. It's a shame that the authors felt the need to insert their radical, preachy opinions. Harper Lee, in To Kill a Mockingbird, did more for influencing thoughts on racism without resorting to a bully pulpit.
I found Miranda's remarks in this book to be extremely offensive. While I don't deny the authors the right to express their beliefs, I do not have to support them by continuing to buy their books.
