History TakeThat / Literature

* ''Literature/WarOfTheWorlds:'' It's almost certainly not a coincidence that the invading Martian war-machines of Creator/HGWells' novel rampage across portions of suburban Surrey, it being a region of England that Wells had come to loathe.

* Creator/LarryNiven and Jerry Pournelle's joint retelling of the Inferno in the imaginatively titled ''Literature/InfernoLarryNivenAndJerryPournelle'' follows in the same vein, condemning to Hell people who supported banning diet foods, people who shut down nuclear power plants based on bogus science, and a teacher who knowingly and wrongly suggested that some her students had dyslexia because they were hard to teach. And of course, they deliver a massive Take That to Creator/KurtVonnegut for supposedly being a terrible writer. They followed up with a sequel, ''Escape From hell'', which includes attacks aimed at the New Orleans authorities.

** ''Literature/{{IT}}'' contains a flashback to one of the protagonists' college years where he took a Creative Writing class. The teacher and the other students are all snooty, pretentious jerks who see no value in any story that isn't some kind of [[TrueArtIsIncomprehensible symbolism-filled]] [[TrueArt indictment of the evils of modern America.]] The protagonist makes a rousing speech to them about how stories should be good entertainment, and don't have to be anything more. It's hard to see it as anything other than [[WriterOnBoard a point that King really wanted to make.]] King wrote that he met people like that in his book about writing.

----> ... when you speak of freedom and captivity, to insert ''[[GratuitousLatin Non bene pro toto libertas venditur auro;]]'' and then refer in the margin to Horace, [[BeamMeUpScotty or whoever said it]]''.

* William Golding's ''Literature/LordOfTheFlies'' was a Take That at several Utopian KidsWildernessEpic books of the ChildrenAreInnocent persuasion, most famously ''Literature/InsuPu'' by Mira Lobe from 1947. Her book tells the tale of eleven [[BlitzEvacuees European]] children who are stranded on an island, and manage to build a functional society, and even the more aggressive children manage to fit in afterwards. Another is ''The Coral Island'', a popular children's book about three young men who live out an idyllic life on a desert island before being threatened by "the savages". Golding took umbrage at the racist undertones, but also at the idea that savagery was some sort of external factor that threatened poor Anglicized civilization rather than an internal factor that could be cultivated under the proper conditions.

* William Golding's ''Literature/LordOfTheFlies'' was a Take That at several Utopian KidsWildernessEpic books of the ChildrenAreInnocent persuasion, most famously ''Insu-Pu'' by Mira Lobe from 1947. Her book tells the tale of eleven [[BlitzEvacuees European]] children who are stranded on an island, and manage to build a functional society, and even the more aggressive children manage to fit in afterwards. Another is ''The Coral Island'', a popular children's book about three young men who live out an idyllic life on a desert island before being threatened by "the savages". Golding took umbrage at the racist undertones, but also at the idea that savagery was some sort of external factor that threatened poor Anglicized civilization rather than an internal factor that could be cultivated under the proper conditions.

* Michael de Larrabeiti's ''Literature/{{Borribles}}'' novels feature as the Borribles' natural enemies the Rumbles -- giant, technologically savvy rodents with a penchant for fascism, and whose scathing resemblance to long-time British children's favorite ''WesternAnimation/TheWombles'' is of course pure coincidence. And in the first volume of the trilogy, the rag-and-bone man Dewdrop and his son Ernie are vicious caricatures of ''Series/SteptoeAndSon''.

--->"Some of the bloody fools I've known can't stop talking about how tragic they are. The poor lonely vampires. How t-hey're just like us. Bloody idiots."

* After Creator/MichaelCrichton wrote ''Literature/StateOfFear'', which was [[AuthorTract heavily critical of those promoting the existence of anthropogenic global warming]], science writer Michael Crowley wrote an article attacking the book for ''The New Republic''. When Michael Crichton's next book, appropriately titled ''Literature/{{Next}}'', came out, there was an off-hand reference to a "Mick" Crowley, a pharmaceutical industry shill [[AdHominem who was a pedophile with a small penis]]. No, seriously. You can't argue with solid scientific evidence like that.

** Someone also gets snarky about "tortured, sentimental vampires" in a book released not too long after the ''Literature/{{Twilight}}'' craze started.

** When Hazel describes [[spoiler:having sex with Augustus for the first time, she mentions that "[[Literature/{{Twilight}} no headboards were broken]]"]].

** His [[https://web.archive.org/web/20090205170841/http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29001524/ interview with MSNBC]] has him stating flat-out that in his opinion, Creator/StephenieMeyer '[[Literature/{{Twilight}} can't write worth a damn]]'.

* ''Literature/MonsterHunterInternational'' contains this one against ''Literature/{{Twilight}}''.

* The Val/Caelan subplot in ''Literature/SkulduggeryPleasant'' is a Take That at ''Literature/{{Twilight}}'' / {{Deconstruction}} of the vampire romance genre. Caelen insists he isn't the brooding vampire type. He also believes that StalkingIsLove and makes the heroine confused. One a whole, he just acts very stalkerish and creepy.

** Two of Sonic's animal friends become convinced that they are [[VideoGame/SuperMarioBros world-famous plumbers who must save a princess by jumping on people's heads]]. The descriptions are less than flattering: ''"...I musta wear a stupido hat and daft-looking blue overalls, and I musta have a big bushy moustache, and I musta run very slowly and say daft things-a in a silly fake accent..."''

*** The first advice of his friend is [[DanBrowned to make himself (Cervantes) the commendatory verses, and then claim they were made from some famous or powerful characters of his time, even claiming that some of them were famous poets]], when the truth is that a lot of the powerful Spanish people of his time could not be poets, and even were illiterate.

* ''Lierature/InCryptid'': In ''Imaginary Numbers'', Sarah complains about sexist comic book fans, which Creator/SeananMcGuire has likely had experience with, as a writer for ''ComicBook/SpiderGwen''.

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-->"What is it with people who think vampires are sexy?" "I blame it on Twilight." In real life, vampires don't sparkle unless they're on fire.

* In Creator/OrsonScottCard's ''Literature/SpeakerForTheDead'', an alien species is given a copy of Literature/TheBible... and a copy of a book written by the protagonist. Guess which one got used for firewood and which one was the foundation of a new religion. The guys who wrote the Bible apparently have nothing on Ender Wiggin. Interestingly, Card himself is known for his conservative, Mormon beliefs, the Book of Mormon being another book of scripture Mormons use in addition to the Bible, and which is the foundation of their religion. By the time of the sequel, ''Xenocide'', though, most of the aliens have been converted to Christianity by missionaries.

** Roys hates a movie called “The Lion Prince”, which is a parody of ''WesternAnimation/TheLionKing''.
** In “It’s Spirit Week, Roys Bedoys!”, Roys hates a ''Franchise/StarTrek'' parody called “Starry Trek”.
** In “Don’t Get Distracted, Roys Bedoys!”, Roys is seen disliking a ''ComicBook/SpiderMan'' parody called ''Webman''.

* ''Literature/SisterhoodSeries'' by Creator/FernMichaels: Hoo, boy! FM is clearly very fond of it, and is not subtle about it either! ''Weekend Warriors'' fires one at three rapists who happen to be dentists. ''Payback'' fires this at a Democrat senator ''and'' a Health Maintenance Organization (which is Republican, by the way). ''Vendetta'' have some unflattering things to say about China and its people. ''The Jury'' throws one at a {{Domestic Abuse}}r, who happens to be the National Security Advisor to the President of the United States - and his good pal! ''Free Fall'' pokes at Hollywood. ''Hide And Seek'' shoots one at the FBI. ''Fast Track'' hurls this at newspapers like the ''Washington Post'', and the Department of Homeland Security. ''Final Justice'' essentially says that Las Vegas casino security teams are one step away from the Gestapo and the Mafia. ''Under The Radar'' says that polygamists in Utah are a bunch of pedophiles and cultists, as well as mocking the National Guard. ''Razor Sharp'' fires one at johns/pimps, and portrays congressmen, senators and the [[spoiler:Vice President]] himself as part of this group. ''Vanishing Act'' throws one at identity thieves. ''Home Free'' fires one at the UsefulNotes/{{CIA}}. The POTUS is never given a name, but it's a Republican man, and might be none other than George W. Bush! FM is a 79-year-old woman going on 80, and it seems that she is angry at the world, and probably sees a lot of topics as those bratty kids that won't stay off her lawn!

* After Creator/MichaelCrichton wrote ''Literature/StateOfFear'', which was [[AuthorTract heavily critical of those promoting the existence of anthropogenic global warming]], science writer Michael Crowley wrote an article attacking the book for ''The New Republic''. When Michael Crichton's next book, appropriately-titled ''Next'', came out, there was an off-hand reference to a "Mick" Crowley, a pharmaceutical industry shill [[AdHominem who was a pedophile with a small penis]]. No, seriously. You can't argue with solid scientific evidence like that.

--->"Lecoq was a bungler," he said, in an angry voice; "he had only one thing to recommend him, and that was his energy. That book made me positively ill. The question was how to identify an unknown prisoner. I could have done it in twenty-four hours. Lecoq took six months or so. It might be a textbook for detectives to teach them what to avoid."
** WordOfGod however states that this was intended to show Holmes's jerkass nature; in real life, Doyle was a fan of both Poe and Gaboriau. Thus it's more an InUniverse example.

** ''Literature/{{IT}}'' contains a flashback to one of the protagonists' college years where he took a Creative Writing class. The teacher and the other students are all snooty, pretentious jerks who see no value in any story that isn't some kind of [[TrueArtIsIncomprehensible symbolism-filled]] [[TrueArt indictment of the evils of modern America.]] The protagonist makes a rousing speech to them about how stories should be good entertainment, and don't have to be anything more or less. It's hard to see it as anything other than [[WriterOnBoard a point that King really wanted to make.]] King wrote that he met people like that in his book about writing.

** ''Literature/{{IT}}'' contains a flashback to one of the protagonists' college years where he took a Creative Writing class. The teacher and the other students are all snooty, pretentious jerks who see no value in any story that isn't some kind of [[TrueArtIsIncomprehensible symbolism-filled]] [[TrueArt indictment of the evils of modern life.]] The protagonist makes several rousing speeches to them about how stories should be good entertainment, no more and no less. It's hard to see it as anything other than [[WriterOnBoard a point that King really wanted to make.]] King wrote that he met people like that in his book about writing.

** In ''Literature/TheRollingStones'', you have to wonder if some of Roger Stone's rantings about his much-hated science-fiction show contract had anything to do with Heinlein's experiences working on ''Film/DestinationMoon'', or ''Series/TomCorbetSpaceCadet''.

** Mocks ''ComicStrip/MallardFillmore'''s use of [[StrawCharacter Strawman Political]] rants in lieu of humor by posting a satirical ''Fillmore'' strip that begins with Fillmore talking about something that bugs him, and ending on the last panel with "Oops! I forgot to tell a joke!" Bruce Tinsley, the comic's author, didn't take this well, and proceeded to make a follow-up strip specifically blasting Jon Stewart.

* John Hodgman's ''Literature/TheAreasOfMyExpertise'': Parodied with the Attack Ads segment, one of which accuses Music/JonathanCoulton of being a bad catsitter (Coulton has personally appeared in ads for the book and at signings, and even wrote a song to promote the book, so it looks like Hodgman meant nothing by it), and "has only masturbated out a window ''once''". This is turned UpToEleven in ''Literature/MoreInformationThanYouRequire'', in which Hodgman claims that Coulton was created in a lab to be the perfect cat-slayer and was then RaisedByWolves. Probably still a joke.

* The victim in the Creator/EdgarAllanPoe short story "Literature/TheCaskOfAmontillado" resembles a then-popular author whose most recent novel had featured a NoCelebritiesWereHarmed insert of Poe as a comical villain.

** Susan Sto Helit makes a rather blunt jab against ''Literature/TheChroniclesOfNarnia'' and ''Literature/AliceInWonderland'' during her first appearance in ''Literature/SoulMusic'', and Vimes has turned one of Franchise/SherlockHolmes' [[SherlockScan explanations]] on itself with his own brand of thought.

** Creator/JimButcher did not like ''Film/ChildsPlay''. When a bunch of nasty fae take on the shapes of horror movie monsters in the ''Literature/TheDresdenFiles'' book ''Literature/ProvenGuilty'', Chucky's CaptainErsatz gets smashed effortlessly, and someone says this:

* ''Literature/{{Gone}}''.

** The 6th book is also one big Take That at the idea of Voldemort as [[UsedToBeASweetKid a once-sweet kid]] mistreated in the muggle world and shunned in the wizarding world, and thus becoming evil. Specifically, the idea that Riddle grew up in OrphanageOfFear is turned on its head -- it ''was'' an OrphanageOfFear -- [[CreepyChild because of Riddle himself]]: all the other children feared ''him''!
* Creator/ErnestHemingway: Upon hearing Creator/GertrudeStein's quote, "A rose is a rose is a rose," Creator/ErnestHemingway responded, "A bitch is a bitch is a bitch." Mind you, [[BeamMeUpScotty that might not have been what Stein said.]][[note]]The original poem's line is "Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose."[[/note]]

* ''Literature/TheHitchhikersGuideToTheGalaxy''

* ''Literature/JamesBond''

* ''William the Pirate'' by Richmal Crompton featured the character of insufferable child star Anthony Martin, a vicious parody of Christopher Robin in the works of Creator/AAMilne.

** Creator/StephenKing's [[http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29001524/ interview with MSNBC]] has him stating flat-out that in his opinion, Creator/StephenieMeyer '[[Literature/{{Twilight}} can't write worth a damn]]'.
** Creator/StephenKing's finale to his ''Franchise/TheDarkTower'' septology includes a scene in which the main characters have to [[spoiler:save Creator/StephenKing from dying in his real-life near-death accident. The guy who hit him is portrayed as a high, drunk idiot who is fighting with his dogs over meat instead of driving at the time. As a side note, the real Bryan Smith had been dead for four years by the time the book was published.]] [[spoiler:Overdosed, possibly on purpose, on King's birthday.]]

* ''Literature/MediochreQSethSeries'': In ''The Good, the Bad and the Mediochre'', Mediochre Q Seth has, in his expansive library, a pile of Creator/EdgarRiceBurroughs books with an attached post-it note reminding himself not to bother reading any of them again.

* In response to criticisms that his stories didn't have [[AnAesop morals]], Creator/EdgarAllanPoe wrote the humorous short story "Never Bet the Devil Your Head", which is a Take That against both the entire idea that stories need to have morals and against some of his contemporaries that endorsed the idea. It combines a SpoofAesop with a patently and intentionally ludicrous SpaceWhaleAesop -- technically being a "story with a moral", as they insisted on, but not what they meant at all -- while taking jabs at specific literary figures of the time along the way.

* In-story example: In Christopher Moore's ''Literature/PracticalDemonkeeping'', God made humankind as one big Take That to the demons and the djinn for (if I remember correctly) being able to create and for being free. As the King of the Djinn remarks: “Jehovah is infinite in his snottiness.”

* ''Theatre/RomeoAndJuliet'': Some theories have it that the line "That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet" from Creator/WilliamShakespeare's ''Theatre/RomeoAndJuliet'' was a Take That to the Rose Theater, rival to the Globe Theater, the one for which Shakespeare produced his plays. The Rose Theater also had a sewage problem, so this is very likely. Though it seems more likely it was meant as a reference to the War of the Roses. [[JustForFun/TheZerothLawOfTropeExamples Of course, there are examples older than television,]]

* ''Literature/{{Spellfall}}'' by Katherine Roberts is a Take That at the whole DownTheRabbitHole subgenre. The one who introduces the heroine to magic is NOT a [[TheMentor wise mentor]], but an [[BigBad evil Wizard]] who wants to mount an attack on the MagicalLand. Said attack is possible because the people who rule that land are arrogant, intolerant, ignorant, and backward-oriented. It is up to the heroine and some banished wizards to save everybody.

* ''Literature/{{Victoria}}'': The entire book is written as a series of Take Thats to [[PoliticalCorrectnessIsEvil political correctness]], multiculturalism, and all forces of perceived liberalism. In it, the United States fractures into a series of successor states with {{straw feminist}}s, environmentalists, academics, and gays, each overcome and in most cases destroyed utterly by the protagonists. Along the way, the book takes time out to insult pop culture, in particular rap and 'that crooner Madonna.' Also, at one point, an elderly Jane Fonda appears to try and justify her actions during the Vietnam War... just in time to perish in a nuclear fireball.
* ''Literature/{{Wicked}}'': ''[[Literature/{{Wicked}} Son of the Witch]]'' was written in 2005, after the musical, and the Tonys, in which it lost to [[Theatre/AvenueQ to a show that gives new lyrics to classical Broadway Songs]]. Early in the book, Dorothy and Company remember how hard it was to get in the first time. Good thing Scarecrow notices that the guards are distracted by a motley crew advertising some strange new show done mostly with puppets so they can sneak in.
* Hilary Mantel's ''Literature/WolfHall'' sends a fairly blatant one to the generally very positive media portrayals of Thomas More, describing him as a religious fanatic and emotionally abusive towards his wife. The comparison is basically spelled out when Cromwell complains that More is probably writing an account that casts him, Cromwell, as a fool and oppressor, and More as the innocent victim with "a better turn of phrase."
* Jung's response to ''Poetry/TheWasteland'' was to deem Creator/TSEliot schizophrenic.

** The [[CoversAlwaysLie outsides of the books]] always show Harry with a [[NiceHat fedora]] to match his [[BadassLongcoat duster]]. The ''inside'' of the books have been getting progressively louder about Harry's dislike of hats, and in ''Literature/DeadBeat'' he makes fun of someone specifically for wearing "an honest-to-God fedora." The issue began when the books shifted from a first-edition paperback to first-edition hardback release, with a change in cover artists. The cover artist had not read the novels yet when he got the commission, so he had to work off the publisher's description which mistakenly included "an honest-to-god fedora". For consistency (as well as being a RunningGag that both the author and artist gleefully participate in), the hat's remained on the cover and more and more jokes have appeared in the novels about the hats.

* ''William the Bad'' by Richmal Crompton featured the character of insufferable child star Anthony Martin, a vicious parody of Christopher Robin in the works of Creator/AAMilne.

* One of the books in the ''Just William'' series by Richmal Crompton featured the character of insufferable child star Anthony Martin, a vicious parody of Christopher Robin in the works of Creator/AAMilne.

* One of the books in the ''Just William'' series by Richmal Crompton featured the character of insufferable child star Anthony Martin, cited by some critics as a Take That at Christopher Robin in the works of Creator/AAMilne.