The Non-Romantic Consequences of Reading Someone's Mind

Fantasy/sci-fi romance often includes the trope of lovers reading each other minds. This event is often presented in glowing, positive terms, mostly because people in literature (and movies) never seem to think things like, "I've got to pee" or "I itch in weird places" or "My cat wants to eat my face."

They always have such...streamlined thoughts.

The idea that someone could read my mind has always bordered on horror for me--so when I read these types of romances, I always feel the faint edge of disgust and terror that one feels when reading about chainsaws and dead bodies.

Consequently, I have to give Sarah Madison, author of Unspeakable Words, Walk a Mile, and Truth & Consequences major kudos!

In the books, FBI Agent Flynn gains the ability to read people's minds. Jerry or Jerome, his FBI partner--later, his lover--helps him handle the cataclysmic event. Flynn is totally overwhelmed, then demoralized and disgusted by what he can constantly hear from others. In all truth, it's fairly standard fare (think Buffy's "Earshot") though well-written and well-handled.

Although Jon can't read minds, Sherwood does a good job

describing the ire people feel to have their "auras" read.

Here's where Madison truly excels: Jerry is a fairly snarky guy but he is also somewhat self-conscience (and doesn't realize how funny his snarky thoughts are). Flynn can hear all this. Some of Jerry's snarky thoughts amuse him. Some upset him. However, Jerry's tendency to "soundbooth" his thoughts, the one technique that provides privacy, upsets Flynn the most. Jerry's sudden "soundboothing" is as disturbing in its own way--and as confusing--as someone suddenly walking away in the middle of a conversation.

Also, Jerry is a random thinker--I think most people are (in my 11:00 class, before everything went online, most of my students were thinking, "Should I have pizza? Did I remember my ATM card? Is it time for break yet?"). However, Jerry's randomness is increased by him having eidetic memory. Everything reminds him of something else, and all the something elses are things he remembers very well.

A better than usual TV-psychic episode

This detailed randomness fascinates and exasperates Flynn, who can't help but react to them. And then Jerry feels more self-conscience--and exhausted at having to constantly monitor his thoughts. Which Flynn doesn't want him to do--except what else is Jerry supposed to do? Explain everything he is thinking constantly?

It is extremely smart writing; Madison is considering the actual consequences of a talent, rather than falling back on the cutesy version of it.