On Literary Roller Coasters
I like this book. Oh no, I don’t. The author did what? I…ugh no… Dang, they stuck the landing.
Sometimes a book will just do that to you. I’m not talking about the roller coaster of moods, but the roller coaster of “is this good or is this not good?” that some authors, hopefully inadvertently, achieve. I hope I don’t do that, I really don’t.
There was almost no review this week because of this (and I was at SPX and didn’t get the second book I had read yet). But here it is:
Review: Shady Fortunes by Douglas J. Bornemann
CW: In character sexism, death of an animal.
So, there was a point in this book when I almost stopped reading. Actually, there were two. Bornemann did manage to redeem himself to a point.
It did become clear that the obnoxious sexism and comments about how women think differently did not represent the views of the author but rather of the somewhat annoying protagonist. These are very different things.
What I can’t forgive him for is the random fridging of the skunk about a third of the way in. As far as I could tell the only reason the animal was inserted ICly was to motivate the protagonist and OOCly it was for…I dunno? Humor? It certainly didn’t impact the plot and it was unnecessary. You don’t kill dogs like this. Don’t kill skunks either. Skunks are, in fact, adorable and quite affectionate creatures.
So, no, I’m not forgiving him for the skunk. If you can get past that (and I’ll understand if not), though, this is a story about moving on as wellas a romp with a nigh unkillable protagonist, a cute cat, and a supporting cast of mostly female characters who are all strong in every way but the stereotypical. Which is why I can forgive the sexism except to wonder how Rafiqi stays that way when surrounded by all those ladies (one of whom is quite willing to retaliate with the stereotypical comments). Maybe it’s because he’s an old immortal and slow to change.
There’s honestly a lot to like about this novel. So, what convinced me the author wasn’t sexist?
Spoilers follow so skim past to the next header if you don’t want them.
At one point the protagonist’s “very good friend” Mason promises him his soul if he can get a certain woman to kiss him. Mason doesn’t know Rafiqi actually is…uh…a demon…and capable of taking his soul. Mason is killed, but Rafiqi needs the lady, who is not interested in him, to kiss him to collect.
Does he try to seduce her?
Does he steal a kiss?
No, he sets out to make her happy and she gives him a peck on the cheek when he agrees to something she’s sure he won’t. Which counts for the pact and allows him to resurrect Mason…without even any expectation that anything will happen (of course, the fact that his dead wife’s ghost is getting ready to leave clues the reader in. He can’t resurrect her. But he can have more than one love of his life).
But the fact that the author makes very sure not to frame this in a sexual assault or even a sexual framework…makes me realize he doesn’t share Rafiqi’s attitudes.
I would recommend this if it wasn’t for the skunk. Sorry, Douglas. Don’t kill skunks, it’s not a good look!
(But otherwise it’s a good book that’s improved by the ending).