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I had never heard of this novel, until I discovered it at a bookstore in New Hope, PA, toward the end of Summer. I read the cover, and flaps, and thought it would be interesting.
Considering what it deals with, and that I read it during all the promoting of Ronan Farrow and his book, the novel has an odd kind of prescience.
The surprising thing--and one must read the book to find out--one will discover that the cover reveals the entire story. It is done so cleverly, but, now, when I look at it, I think, "Oh, yeah!"
"The Swallows" went beyond my expectations, which was another Donna Tartt/"Secret History" redo. It is set in a private school, and, of course, every writer wants to be Donna Tartt, so I thought here is another try.
Stonebridge, the tony sounding New England prep school in the novel, is a bastion of sexual scandal. Let me say this novel does more than anything to reduce The Librarian As Cultural Stereotype. Claudine Shepherd, the school's librarian is less sexually repressed, and more sexually depraved. Sick, but a refreshing turnaround.
Lutz' novel made me think back to Brett Kavanaugh, as this novel might be a nod to his private school years. A world were boys objectify girls, not just via looks, but via the quality of how the girls service them orally! I kid you not! They have a secret dark room, codes, and symbols for each girl, that conceals her identity, should anyone break in. But, with the aid of new teacher Alex Witt, and a few girls--Katy, Linny, and Gemma, among others, the break in is made and blood is shed in unexpected ways. Male egos are shattered, and the school is basically finished, once the dust settles. My only caveat was none of the male faculty seemed to be involved in this, and I just did not buy that. Surely, Coach Keith should have been made a perpetrator.
Wittt's "Blow Job Chart" is a riot! But all too true! I am sure things go on like this today, and they did, back in Kavanaugh's day.
To honor Lutz's book, I have a suggestion, girls!!!!!!!!!!! After reading it, take this pic of Kavanaugh, print it, tape it to a wall, and throw darts at it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sick, straight pigs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
4 comments:
Have you read the Spellman novels?
Nothing personal to you, RQ, but OMG, if I see one more post of that out-of-context Kavanuagh pic, I'm gonna scream like Patty Duke at the asylum. People really really REALLY need to get the hell over him: he's immaterial. That whole disgusting, embarrassing spectacle was a political pissing contest that had nothing whatsoever to do with the actual Supreme Court or his actual track record of decisions (even Ruth Ginsberg recanted her disapproval).
We also need to get over the idea the Supremes are anywhere near as important as they once were: they aren't. After Obama packed the lower courts by the thousands with lifetime appointments, the Supremes were rendered superfluous. You could have nine Jerry Falwells in there and it wouldn't matter, but that isn't gonna happen anyway. The liberal progressive agenda is in no danger of being repealed: a glance at the daily calendar of the Ninth Circuit should reassure any doubters.
The same handful of troublesome states will continue to make noise with temporary abortion or gay rights setbacks, but they always have and always will (many are getting overrun with fundamental Muslim immigrants anyway, which will enshrine those state's repressive position even after all the rednecks die off). The answer to that, as its always been, is to get the hell outta Dodge and not stay there. The other 40 states are in no danger of turning into Handmaids Tale.
The constant handwringing and Chicken Little act makes us look like fools, and interferes with making real lasting progress.
My Dear,
Leaving aside Kavanaugh's overall repugnancy,
I needed a pic to illustrate a movement that
has existed for centuries, and well before
MeToo. It is Straight White Men, We Rule,
and that pic, with its combo of anger,
arrogance, and defiance, that he, a professional,
does not even bother to conceal, struck me as perfect,
in keeping context with the book reviewed!
Victoria,
No, I have not read the Spellman novels.
Could you tell me something about them?
And how many?
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