So, at a crucial point, does Ann Blyth, as Veda, say this to Joan Crawford in "Mildred Pierce." It is equally applicable to this overlong, badly written pan sexual redo of the Leopold and Loeb murder case.
Wait till you see the author's photograph. I do not mean to cast asperions, but is this a man or a woman? Someone born a woman, who now identifies as a man? Or vice versa?
It really doesn't matter. If the novel were any good, things could be overlooked. As soon as the book sets up Julian and Paul as intimates, I knew where this was headed.
In the Leopold and Loeb case both are wealthy, but Loeb moreso. He is also the more dangerous of the pair. The current novel inverts it; Julian, the wealthier, is closeted, more conforming, and afraid. Paul, the poorer, more dominant one, embraces his homosexuality to the point of B and D, S and M, and blood. The book turned me off there.
They are more calculating than impulsive. They systemtically select a victim who clashes with their socio-political idealogy, even though they never met him. They go so far as to kill his dog, which gets them on my convicted list.
Ho-hum. The rest of the tale is an on-the-run "Bonnie and Clyde" type saga,where one gets away, while the other is imprisoned either in a correctional facillty or mental institution. Who cares???????????????????????????
And yet I wanted to. I have to credit the author; until I read his acknowledgement, I never thought he had any knowledge of the Leopold and Loeb case, or the Parker-Hulme case, superbly and imaginatively dramtized in Peter Jackson's 1994 masterwork, "Heavenly Creatures." But he references both here.
Micah, dear, why didn't you learn anything from this trope???????? Specifically, why couldn't you do something more imaginative and original, that would give the reader a desire to go on? Knowing this trope, I was curious where it might lead. The answer is nowhere.
This debut falls flat. It does not endear me to read any further works of this author. Save your trouble, girls, as I said earlier.
And Micah, for career's sake, please develop some orginiality!!!!!!!!!!!!
"These Violent Delights" is anything but delightful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
6 comments:
It said “Author is tgnc” after a review of this book.
So that means trans/gender-nonconforming right?
Victoria,
Thanks for the info. I
did not see that review.
Yes, I guess that is whatit means.
But the book is still disappointing!
I agree; couldn’t get through it.
It seems to be one of those Love it or Loathe it
Victoria,
I started out, wanting to like it.
But, a thid in, this turned to hate.
Not strong enough for me to stop
reading, though.
But not one I would recommend, or
an author I plan on following.
I just finished it and it had its moments. I like the relationship of Paul with his family which was well done. The Paul character is better written than the Julian which threw the book off. It was a nice try for a first time author.
MaryO49,
I also liked Paul's character,
and family better than Julian.
What fascinated me was Julian started
out, for me, being the more dangerous
of the two, but Paul eventually evolved
into that.
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