#like i wasn't expecting them to be 100 unproblematic (because nothing is)

[luaminesce]

Seriously WT? AI?

I love you, but dude.

[checkoutmybookshelf]

Let's Be Real: They Were Both Wicked and We Loved It

I seem to recall swearing up, down, and sideways that I wasn't going to read another Bridgerton book. *ahem*

And then I got super curious and Bridgerton Season 3 has given us NOTHING (I'm not counting the Queen Charlotte spinoff as them giving us something for S3), so I caved and picked up another Bridgerton book. Let's talk When He Was Wicked.

Ok, as a Bridgerton book, When He Was Wicked was UNUSUAL. Given how tightly knit and very much there for each other the Bridgertons are (although I admit, this might be show bias affecting my reading), the fact that Francesca was, for the most part, isolated up in Scotland and very separate from the rest of the family was odd. It really allowed us to see what a Bridgerton-raised person would do when their back was to the wall and they were more or less alone.

Add to that the fact that most of this book is Francesca's second season and second love and that she gets to have actual EXPERIENCE and CONFIDENCE and not be your bog standard romance ingenue meant that this was a refreshing change of pace. I also would be absolutely remiss to point out that this novel went unapologetic on the fact that Francesca knows a little something about sex and her own body and that she has zero doubt that her needs, wants, and pleasure are important and that she can (and does) ask for what she wants with Michael. That's something that contemporary 2023 still really struggles with, so props to Julia Quinn for making it clear that Francesca can, should and DOES have a voice that matters during sex.

I also want to say that while Francesca wanting to be a mother so badly that she goes for a second season often gets side-eyed or openly pooh-poohed for being anti-feminist, breeding kinky, or somehow lesser, I would say that while the "All I want in the world is to be a mother" is complicated by the regency setting and the gender roles and expectations imposed on women whether they wanted them or not, Francesca is a widow for most of this novel, and widows historically had more (not complete, this isn't perfect) choice about their remarriage, and had Francesca not wanted to, she didn't have to remarry. So I'm willing to give this book the benefit of the doubt that Francesca actually DOES want to be a mother, actually DOES want children, and making the choice to remarry to have kids is an active, intentional choice on her part. Motherhood isn't for everyone, and that's 100% fine. But we shouldn't shame people who do want it, and I think a generous read of this book puts Francesca in that camp without some of the weird vibes and setting complications that you get with Daphne.

Again, none of this is wholly unproblematic, and there are arguments to be made that social conditioning overrode any choice Francesca could make. However, that's a deeply cynical read of a fun, fluffy romance novel, and I'm not here to shame people who can get pregnant for their reproductive choices, whatever those may be.

Michael is, in the grand tradition of non-Bridgerton love interests, fairly bland. His whole thing is being the merry rake, which, like, whatever. That's fine. I'm not like, terribly enamored of his full-on BAILING on Francesca for like three years after her first husband unceremoniously drops dead. I'm also not super enamored of his whole "did I secretly cause my cousin's death because I was coveting his wife and now I can never be with Francesca because I don't deserve her for killing my cousin" schtick, but this is Bridgerton so the absurd drama is pretty par for the course.

The reason to read this book really is Francesca, and Francesca finding her feet as a more mature heroine than we typically see in these books. I was very very much here for Francesca, and I hope that if the show gets this far, we really do get to see how Frannie is different from Daphne, Eloise, Penelope, and Hyacinth.

[itsblasttothepast]

Can I add something to the 'kids' ask you answered earlier?

Why I understand the appeal of 'continuing legacy'or whatever I agree 100% that there should be no pressure on the children, they are just kids and need to find their own way in life, without strangers pushing the helmets on their heads so quickly.

Just look what happened with Mick - he got into the worst team on the grid at the time (sorry Haas) and the expectations were that he will drag that tractor beyond its performance every single time. And he was just a rookie, he had no time to grow and the pressure was just too high.

I won't say that the current drivers were forced to be in F1 by their parents or anyone, it's clear that they love it and it would be ridiculous to say they had no choice. But I think that drivers of F1 usually don't want their kids anywhere that sport (especially if they went through some troubles) - aside from the few who either had a good experience in the sport or had something to prove.

Let's say it like this - we had Nico Rosberg: we all know Keke was beloved in his team and his time in F1 as far as I know was unproblematic and quite epic (F1 was different back then too, less media showy) and it was clear that he wanted his son to have the same experience, there wasn't a pressure but when Nico wanted to drive there was full support.

Then we have Jos, who wanted his last name and his flag in the hall of fame, so when Max expressed interest in karts the plan went in motion and there was no backing down - I think that was the most extreme case but yeah.

With Carlos it was quite tragically funny, we know his dad supports him all the way and even helps with the contracts to make sure his son is okay but we also know he asked him many times to maybe reconsider and go to rally. Some see it as just father wanting his son to follow in his footsteps but I think it's more of 'i was close to F1, Fernando is my friend and is in F1 - the sport is messy and I want to protect my son' kind of situation. Also the "you bite or you get bitten" moment because Carlos was 'too nice' in go-karts lives rent free in my head.

Then we have Sebastian who successfully made sure his kid's life was private and never answered any of the 'is there a racing driver in the making' questions, not putting any pressure on the future of his children, saying that they will choose and he will suport.

We also have Kimi who is supporting his kids in go-karts but I would love to see a journalist come up to him with questions about the future. That would be funny.

Nico, the other Nico and Kevin don't talk about their children in the context of F1 and that's great, let the little ones live.

With Checo I think there is additional layer of knowing how horrible the sport can be and just wanting to shield his kids from the racism and discrimination he went through. I know he said he's trying to get them interested but I love how he always says he will support them no matter what. I still can't understand how people can say he is evil. He's just a guy!

What I wanted to say is - I agree with you, we should not get involved and ask about the kids' future because it has nothing to do with the fans and we should just back off and focus on the sport, not the private lives of the drivers.

Also I guess I wanted to show that the 'continuing legacy' isn't exactly as good as some might think.

Thank you for your ask anon! I must admit it's a big pet peeve of mine when people assume things involving kids, particularly those who have famous parents like singers, actors, sports and such.

It's hard to grow up with a famous parent, imagine if everyone keeps expecting to follow that path; I feel for Mick, he enjoys racing but people pushed him so hard and then were far too cruel when he was still growing into the sport.

Max and Checo have shared their concerns if their kids choose being drivers. It's a ruthless sport and obviously people will have expectations, the kids don't need others planning their future. I mean, fans are already putting Max's kid against Kimi's child, like... what? Why?

With Checo, his kids are far too funny because nothing goes how he wants to. He tried to interest Chequito in F1, but the kid wasn't exactly open to that, so he then tried to interest him in soccer... just for Chequito to be bored with it and now be interested in karting and racing. Checo has said that if Chequito really wants to race, he will support him, but he will have to start really young in Europe. Fortunately Checo has the means to have him with a support network that he didn't have when he moved to Germany at 15.

Still, kids shouldn't be involved in whatever narrative the fans have, there's a reason why Nico, Kevin and Checo are so private with their kids. Just leave kids being kids and stop pushing the agenda of having to surpass the father.

And with Max's kid, boy, people are going wild.