How Much Will Readers Accept?

On Saturday, I posted about Crime and Suspense editor Tony Burton’s poll concerning how potentially objectionable content in crime and suspense novels might affect purchasing decisions. It seems the results of that survey are already in, with 108 responses (although Burton had originally planned to cut it off at 100). Without more detailed questioning, it’s impossible to really know what’s on readers’ minds. But a couple of themes do come through, as one browses over these results. First of all, “off camera” violence, no matter who the target is, seems less troubling than brutalities dramatized within a narrative. Second, readers are more squeamish about belligerence toward the elderly or children (results that may be influenced by the fact that 75.9 percent of Burton’s respondents were female) than they are about violence against pets, or other adults.

Here are the full results:

1. You are reading a mystery novel, and in that mystery novel you discover that a nun has been mutilated and killed. The mutilation and death takes place “off camera.” You don’t see it described in graphic detail, but you know it happens. If you knew this was going to happen in advance, how would it affect your desire to buy and/or read the book?

I’d still want to buy and read the book: 63%

I’d feel squeamish about reading the book, but I'd still want to buy and read it: 9.3%

I might check it out at the library or borrow it, but I wouldn’t buy it: 20.4%

I would read it for a review, but not for personal pleasure: 2.8%

I wouldn’t read it in any event: 2.8%

Other: 1.9%

2. You are reading a suspense novel, and you come upon a scene where the protagonist’s dog is killed gruesomely. How would this affect your desire to buy and/or read the book?

I’d still want to buy and read the book: 26.9%

I’d feel squeamish about reading the book, but I'd still want to buy and read it: 18.5%

I might check it out at the library or borrow it, but I wouldn’t buy it: 17.6%

I would read it for a review, but not for personal pleasure: 5.6%

I wouldn’t read it in any event: 25%

Other: 6.5%

3. You are reading a crime novel, and in the story a young child is repeatedly molested. The scenes are not graphic but they are easily known for what they are. How would this affect your desire to buy and/or read the book?

I’d still want to buy and read the book: 16.7%

I’d feel squeamish about reading the book, but I'd still want to buy and read it: 21.3%

I might check it out at the library or borrow it, but I wouldn’t buy it: 14.8%

I would read it for a review, but not for personal pleasure: 8.3%

I wouldn’t read it in any event: 34.3%

Other: 4.6%

4. You are reading a mystery novel, and in it an old, defenseless woman is brutally raped and bludgeoned to death by a man who obviously enjoys what he does. How does this affect your desire to buy and/or read the book?

I’d still want to buy and read the book: 24.1%

I’d feel squeamish about reading the book, but I'd still want to buy and read it: 18.5%

I might check it out at the library or borrow it, but I wouldn’t buy it: 15.7%

I would read it for a review, but not for personal pleasure: 7.4%

I wouldn’t read it in any event: 30.6%

Other: 3.7%

5. You are reading a mystery or suspense novel, and in it a young female child is emotionally tortured several times and then is beaten to death by a much older person. How does this affect your desire to buy and/or read the book?

I’d still want to buy and read the book: 13.9%

I’d feel squeamish about reading the book, but I'd still want to buy and read it: 21.3%

I might check it out at the library or borrow it, but I wouldn’t buy it: 12%

I would read it for a review, but not for personal pleasure: 6.5%

I wouldn’t read it in any event: 41.7%

Other: 4.6%

6. You are reading a crime novel, and a harmless mentally-deficient person is brutally beaten and killed. How does this affect your desire to buy and/or read the book?

I’d still want to buy and read the book: 26.9%

I’d feel squeamish about reading the book, but I'd still want to buy and read it: 24.1%

I might check it out at the library or borrow it, but I wouldn’t buy it: 21.3%

I would read it for a review, but not for personal pleasure: 6.5%

I wouldn’t read it in any event: 15.7%

Other: 5.6%

7. You are reading a crime novel, and in it there is a scene where a young gay man is attacked and brutally beaten and left for dead by punks in a park, because of his sexual orientation. How does this affect your desire to buy and/or read the book?

I’d still want to buy and read the book: 36.1%

I’d feel squeamish about reading the book, but I'd still want to buy and read it: 20.4%

I might check it out at the library or borrow it, but I wouldn’t buy it: 19.4%

I would read it for a review, but not for personal pleasure: 5.6%

I wouldn’t read it in any event: 10.2%

Other: 8.3%

8. You are reading a mystery novel, and there is a young woman who is brutalized and killed because of her ethnicity. The scene is moderately graphic for violence and bloodshed. How would this affect your desire to buy and/or read the book?

I’d still want to buy and read the book: 37%

I’d feel squeamish about reading the book, but I'd still want to buy and read it: 23.1%

I might check it out at the library or borrow it, but I wouldn’t buy it: 22.2%

I would read it for a review, but not for personal pleasure: 2.8%

I wouldn’t read it in any event: 10.2%

Other: 4.6%

In hopes of learning more, Burton has now posted a follow-up survey, which he says “is more focused.” This time, he’s asking that folks answer questions about violence in fiction based on the premise that whatever book they encounter it in, has been written by author whose work they have previously read and appreciated.

You can participate in that second poll here.