I read the following in Steve's Weblog: Sun Oct 3rd, 2004 6:25 PM I've just read _Kushiel's Dart_ by Jacqueline Carey. It's the first fantasy novel by someone I didn't know that has excited me in longer than I care to remember. There is a cultural and religious background that is wonderfully done--that in itself being pretty rare--and runs in and out of the plot bouncing off it in odd ways. The center of the story is palace intrigue, and I can't think of it ever being done better since Dumas. I could go on at some length, but skip that. Just read it. ========================================== So I am reading it. I read a couple of chapters and then get to masochism and sadism and have to stop. I just don't enjoy that stuff. I put the book aside and read something quick and easy such as _Life of Pi_, then read another chapter or two until I get uncomfortable again. I had to give up reading Diane Mott Davidson in the first book when I read how she would go back to her first husband who purposefully broke her knuckles with a hammer. I did read a review that in her latest book, her ex is the victim. My wife didn't have problems with either of these. Assassination is one thing. And even pain. I love the opening scene in the movie _Lawrence of Arabia_ where Lawrence explains the "trick" in letting a match go out against his fingers. (the trick is not to mind). But associating pain with love doesn't work with me and messes up my enjoyment of the books. I wonder what other turn-offs readers have similar to this, causing us to not like otherwise enjoyable books.