Incest: Squick or Kink?

[emmagrant01]

Disclaimer: The point of this post is NOT to invite bashing of people who write fic that features incest, but rather to start a discussion about what people like and don't like about it. This isn't in response to any particular fic that's been posted recently; it's simply something I've been thinking about. I also want to make it clear that in posting this or expressing my opinion I am NOT judging anyone else's tastes in reading and writing particular kinds of fan fiction.

What is it about incest in fan fiction that appeals to people? It's something that's generally a squick for me, but yet I've read a couple of incest fics that I thought were very well done. Looking back, I think what I liked about those was that they involved some sort of acknowledgment of the fact that the sexual attraction was taboo, but the characters were unable to resist anyway. So I suppose I could say the fics fell into that we-shouldn't-do-this-but-omg-you're-so-hot-I-can't-stand-it category, which I find hot whether the people involved are related or not. In other words, I think that in general, I'm not a fan of incest, but if incest fics happen to hit some of my other buttons as well, I may enjoy them. (A profic example of this I often see cited is the Flowers in the Attic series by the late V. C. Andrews, which fascinated, horrified, and intrigued me as an adolescent. Some incest in fan fiction seems to be written in the same spirit, but not all.)

But of course, I'm really curious about what others think.
[Poll #659437]


Please feel free to add any comments you have. I realize my poll wasn't complete, so feel free to add in things you think I didn't cover. I know I'm by no means the first person to ask questions or put up a poll about incest, so if you can direct me to other polls about incest, I would appreciate it. :-)

Note that IP logging is on, and I will not hesitate to delete comments that are wanky or mean-spirited. I'd like everyone to feel comfortable commenting, whether incest is a kink or a squick for you, or something else entirely. If you would like me to screen your comment, just ask, but be warned that I might not be able to do it right away.

ETA: Holy shit! This post pretty much exploded! I'll go ahead and apologize right now, because there's no way I'll be able to respond to all of these comments. But they're fascinating to read, and I appreciate so many people taking the time to write out their thoughts in such details! I hope everyone else is finding the results as interesting as I do! *memories*

Comments

[carvedwood.livejournal.com]

I would have answered "Twincest" but the only twincest I read is Fred/George. I wouldn't bother reading Padma/Parvati, for instance. I also don't bother reading other incest fics.
I've written a fic that included Lucius/Draco, but only because the fic was a gift for my beta and bestest buddy, and I thought she would like the inclusion; I wouldn't have written it otherwise. I'm squicked if the incest is chan, but mostly because it's the chan that squicks me.
I don't bother, in general, to put a moral judgement on incest fics (or any other kink, for that matter) - hello, I read and write beastie, who am I to judge, yeah? I'm just not interested in it.
Except for the Fred/George, of course. That, I like.

[goddessdel.livejournal.com]

LOL. I just had to reply because I'm kinda the opposite - I have very little issues in the fanfic world with incest (depending on the characters and situation. I couldn't see reading a pure PWP incest fic, it would be like, what's the point [of me reading it, not a judgment on the author]?), however, beastie just freaks me out. I can read it, I applaud those who have the balls to write it, but it never sits well with me.

Just thought I'd put in the other side, since it worked so perfectly with your point. ;)