FM's ratings:
- Premise 10
- Prose 10
- Plot 8
- Characters 8
- Overall 9
Comments
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- but try to keep it under 3000 words!)
I love the
idea of spinning off a novel from a classic, especially when it's
done well as it is here. Another great example is "Caliban,"
by Robert Devereaux, which tells Shakespeare’s story, "The
Tempest," from the perspective of the most depraved character in
the work, the son of the evil witch, Sycorax. "Finn" echoes
that idea, with arguably the most depraved character in Mark Twain's
"The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" in the starring role.
This is a very dark work, exploring the psychotic mess that is Huck
Finn's father in the original work and filling in the details with
some vivid and disturbing images of the river-dwelling alcoholic. The
literary perfectionism of the prose offers a highly effective
contrast to the seamy, almost barbaric actions and language of the
characters. Several distinctive dialog devices add to the almost
allegorical quality of the story. The author includes an explanation
at the end for some of the most extreme ornamentations of the
original novel, especially the idea that Huck's mother was a black
woman. The sheer depravity of Mr. Finn is so powerfully portrayed
that I actually felt myself being negatively influenced by the man.
What better compliment can one pay to an author than that?
Dear Readers!
This is the last post that will show on this Blogspot page. The club is being moved to Facebook!
The new location on FB is Foreverman's Book Club. We will continue with the same format for now, with possible wrinkles to allow for the new format.
Next month marks the 6th anniversary of the club and, as every April, will begin with a book by Dean Koontz.
Here's the April line-up!
"The Silent Corner," by Dean Koontz [4-7-18]
(My favorite Author for many years)
"The Forever Man," by Gordon R. Dickson [4-14-18]
(Representing Sci-Fi, originally my favorite genre)
"The Black Cat Knocks on Wood," by Kay Finch [4-21-18]
(Representing Cozy Mysteries, my current favorite genre)
"The Good, the Bad, and the Undead," by Kim Harrison [4-28-18]
(Representing my love of "dark" stories)
Hope to see you at the new site! Happy Reading!
Dear Readers!
This is the last post that will show on this Blogspot page. The club is being moved to Facebook!
The new location on FB is Foreverman's Book Club. We will continue with the same format for now, with possible wrinkles to allow for the new format.
Next month marks the 6th anniversary of the club and, as every April, will begin with a book by Dean Koontz.
Here's the April line-up!
"The Silent Corner," by Dean Koontz [4-7-18]
(My favorite Author for many years)
"The Forever Man," by Gordon R. Dickson [4-14-18]
(Representing Sci-Fi, originally my favorite genre)
"The Black Cat Knocks on Wood," by Kay Finch [4-21-18]
(Representing Cozy Mysteries, my current favorite genre)
"The Good, the Bad, and the Undead," by Kim Harrison [4-28-18]
(Representing my love of "dark" stories)
Hope to see you at the new site! Happy Reading!
