A while back, I received an email from a reader with a concern that never crossed my mind.
The reader enjoyed Vic Challengers novels 1-3. In book 4, she stopped reading when something was mentioned that worried her. Reviewers have called Vic novels ‘family friendly’ and ‘good for reluctant readers’. One of my favorite characters of all time is Nancy Drew - squeaky clean! I like to think of Vic as Nancy with an arsenal.
I felt compelled to reply to that reader and decided to share what I told her.
I can guarantee that beyond the sentence that stopped you (Emma tells Vic and Lin “I’m pregnant”) there is nothing sordid or lurid. That is the brashest sentence in the book. Vic and Lin decide three things from this short scenario.
1. Anyone can make a “mistake”. (Emma was single -That was very much a mistake for a school teacher in 1920). If they are your friend don’t forsake them when they need your support.
2. They couldn’t help Emma beyond support. It was her life and she needed to deal with it. They would help if they could and were asked, otherwise Emma needed to decide her future.
3. Vic and Lin agreed whole-heartedly that they would rather fight bad guys and monsters than deal with any social problem.
That was it. Those three things learned were the point. It amounted to a few sentences scattered through the first couple of chapters. Over. Then after a bit of excitement with a hungry bear and bad guy back home, Vic and Lin go to the Amazon and face fight-to-the-death situations over and over.
Some social situation is mentioned in every novel. Just mentioned. No preaching about right or wrong other than Vic’s opinion. In books 1, 2, and 3, slavery was the issue. In book 1, Vic is captured by slavers and it gives her a life-long hate of what we now call human trafficking. Book two has a sentence or two about bigotry against half-breeds (orles - Mongolian-Chinese children of Vic’s guide). In book 5 animal cruelty is mentioned without being named - Vic calls one of the cryptids intent on killing her and Lin “a noble animal” who was vicious because of whipping and starvation by a cruel master. Bullying is also touched on in book 5 in a way that may seem surprising. In a few novels, it is mentioned that Vic does not drink alcohol. She explains that several men from her town returned from the Great War and ruined their lives and families with alcohol. She doesn’t think it’s worth the chance - her goal is too important.
Any of that sound familiar? Those are problems that existed a millennia ago, and in 1920, and still today. Mentioning such things is a way to make Vic more realistic. Heating water on her stove for a bath, pressing a starter to start the car, driving across the state on dirt and gravel roads - those things show how life was different 100 years ago while the social problems show how life is the same.
Social problems will continue to show up but will never be the focus. You can always expect a novel that you can read to or with a child with no discomfort. After all, these novels are for the-kid-seeking-adventure in all of us, regardless of age. I hope that allays your concerns. The novels of The Incredible Adventures of Vic Challenger are new pulp adventure, They are stories of adventure. Nothing gratuitous is ever added. Just a story of adventure in the 1920’s with the Queen of New Pulp Adventure. Remember, Vic is tough and even vicious when called for, but otherwise has a Nancy Drew persona. Remember, too, Vic is searching for her lost love and she is faithful. Her heart belongs to Nu, son of Onu of the tribe of Onu which once upon a time dwelt beyond the Barren Hills beside the Restless Sea.
The reader above didn’t reply for several weeks. Then she informed me she enjoyed book 4 and was awaiting her copy of #5. If you ever experience a similar concern, I hope this helps. BTW in book 7, Bloody Reprisal, Vic struggles with balance between revenge and forgiveness and also acquires a sense of urgency over finding her lost love.
Until next time, happy adventures!
