I am certainly not against sex in novels - indeed, i wish there was more, as many of the themes of fantasy carry erotic weight.<BR><BR>However, I was totally put off Goodkind by the blatant S&M scene about two thirds of the way through the first book. It struck me that Goodkind was exxcited by this idea, may even have written it beforehand in a different context - then written the book so that he could insert it. The style is so different to the rest of the book - extra detail, more excitement in the wrting, a totally different tone - that it sticks out like a sore thumb.<BR><BR>If the man wants to write erotica thats fine by me - I might even buy it - but this was false. The whole section (80 pages or so) could be taken out of the book without harming the plot. Proof, if any is wanted that it is irreleant to that story and place.<BR><BR>I found it, having followed the character - distasteful and unnecessary.<BR><BR>I would be interested to hear a detailed defence of why the scene should be there, and - as i have not bothered with any of the other books in the series - whether similar scenes appear in the remaining volumes??