Have you ever watched the BBC TV Series Vera based on the books by Ann Cleeves?

It is a wonderful cozy mystery series. The lead Brenda Blethyn is brilliant! Stay with me....I have a lot to say.

The other day when I was in the library I saw Ann Cleeves book, The Moth Catchers and thought I would pick it up to read since I am such a fan of the BBC Series.

In the book, Vera is portrayed as a strong, no-nonsense, effective, confident detective. I can appreciate that the first pages might describe her physicality, but every other page makes a disparaging remark about her size.

Why does this have to be emphasized in such a mean and belligerent way?

I found myself cringing every time another character had to make some remark about her size...not just once but several times.

I am appalled that this is even necessary.

Vera is self-assured, she is aware of her shortcomings, but she still manages to be a leader, and effective in solving crimes with her team.

She knows what she wants from them, and everyone else.

I don't think her weight needs to be emphasized as much as it is over and over again.

It is distracting and belittling - even if it is just referencing a fictional character. I don't think we would ever want to treat real people in this manner!

I don't have any interest in reading any more of Ann Cleeves books because this has been so disturbing to me.

Thank you for listening.