I think it’s fair to say we all have strong preferences when it comes to the kind of books we read. Likes and dislikes vary with every reader but occasionally some topics can actually do emotional harm to a vulnerable reader. Triggering subject matter like grief, addiction, abuse, cancer, violence, darker themes in suspense novels to name just a few. Triggers are as unique and numerous as there are readers!
Lately I’ve noticed an increase in trigger warnings offered by both authors and reviewers which seems like a kind, helpful thing to do. Warning off sensitive readers can be beneficial…except those same triggers often become spoilers which can actually ruin the reading experience by revealing too many plot points. Such a conundrum!
For example, let’s say you’re reading a contemporary romance and the author skillfully, slowly and deliberately reveals what’s behind the hero’s grumpy attitude. We won’t know his whole story until we’re well into the book….unless ‘grief’ has been listed as a trigger warning. That would be a spoiler for me.
Or how about a woman’s fiction novel about estranged sisters coming together to clear out the family cottage after their parents’ death. The author digs deep into the emotional dynamics of these adult women and the reasons they grew apart. It will take the whole novel to come to grips with everything each sister has dealt with on their own and that’s the thrill of the read….except if you read the list of triggers ‘miscarriage, addiction, domestic violence’ before you open the book!
So, I’m curious about your thoughts on trigger warnings vs spoilers. Do you post triggers in your reviews? Can you think of a way to include triggers without giving away spoilers? Or are there times you think it’s more important to post a trigger warning even if it gives away key plot points? Do you look for triggers before choosing a book?
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This is a good discussion topic, Kav! I like to include a content note section in my reviews, which sometimes includes trigger warnings. Like you said, though, it’s pretty subjective, and I don’t include everything that could be a trigger.
I try to do some kind of note that there will be spoilers in my review if I feel like I need to mention something because it’s a trigger. I also really like the spoiler function on GoodReads. Recently, I did different versions of a review on my blog and on GoodReads. It wasn’t for a trigger, but because I felt like my discussion was pretty limited without the ability to discuss certain plot points.
As far as triggers, I also think it depends a little on if the theme is foreshadowed/hinted at leading up to the reveal, or if it’s very sudden. I think that even language in synopses can offer hints sometimes, and I think the trigger would be significantly more bothersome if it came from out of nowhere.
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