The Good Luck of Right Now discussion

I must comment on those who have labelled Bartholemew's interest in the Girlbrarian as "stalking". He was not stalking her. Stalking is a dangerous crime undertaken by delusional people who deliberately cause fear in their victims and believe they are entitled to do so. Bartholomew did not follow her anywhere or even attempt surreptitiously to find out anything about her. He watched her in the library, harmlessly, afraid to approach her. And he asked Wendy for help with how to talk to her. Calling his sweet-natured love from afar "stalking" diminishes the experience of actual victims of this crime. Please get some perspective and stop throwing words like "stalking" around recklessly.

I haven't read this particular book, but from what I gather, people don't like that this behavior is portrayed as "romantic". They also fear that because so many books have used this trope that such behavior is becoming "normalized" and/or rationalized. I get that....but at the same time, I agree with you that sometimes people read a little too much into fiction and exaggerate. Having an unrequited crush on someone is not "stalking". The two are not even in the same league.