An erotic examination of how to handle marital strife poorly.
White’s (Dirty Pictures, 2011) novel describes an unsatisfying marriage, a wife’s pursuit of a mystery lover she only sees in her dreams, her husband’s jealousy and the effects their children suffer from their struggling union.
As Holly Mauer approaches 40, she feels her marriage has become lackluster and unsexy. She dreams about a mystery man whose face she can’t make out other than a pair of shockingly blue eyes; her frustration worsens and her restlessness increases. A squirm-worthy scene during which Holly attempts to enact her dream while her youngest son is in the bed with her and her husband forces Holly to reveal her dreams and her dissatisfaction to her husband, Justin. This sets off a jealous rage and a host of problems for everyone in the family. After graphic and either naive or malicious attempts (it’s nearly impossible to tell) to revive the couple’s sex life don’t work, Justin realizes he can’t compete with the man in Holly’s dreams. Holly’s encounter with Bryce Pyliotis, whose eyes match her dream lover’s, leads to her obsession with making her fantasy a reality. Bryce, written almost as a superhero in his charm and integrity, begins to struggle with his feelings for her as well. The suspense and anticipation seem as if they’ll never pay off and as if the reader will never witness any intimate scenes between Holly and Bryce. The tale is well-told and interspersed with erotic dreams that mesh with the rest of the story, and the love triangle adds dramatic tension and momentum. An uncomfortable beginning transforms into a well-written examination of what happens when a marriage gets stale and one or both people become restless and try to act on their nagging desires.
An erotic examination of how to handle marital strife poorly.Pub Date: July 13, 2010
ISBN: N/A
Page Count: 329
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services
Review Posted Online: Nov. 19, 2012
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
BOOK REVIEW
A well-constructed cautionary tale of the problems facing families trapped in generational patterns of abuse.
In his debut novel, Christensen imagines a new parent’s struggle to prevent his abusive childhood from negatively affecting his own parenting.
This compelling work should be praised most for Christensen’s structural choice. Told via flashbacks, the novel presents each episode as a stop in the narrator’s various childhood neighborhoods. Every destination opens the door to the past, illuminating the darkness of verbal and physical abuse, which at the time was an accepted aspect of his childhood. As an adult, main character Keith Herman understands that the relationships he endured with his mother, stepfather and grandfather were more than momentary injustices—they have lifelong implications for him. The setup serves as a metaphorical and literal vehicle for Keith to revisit and deconstruct the traumas of his past. In doing so, he hopes to understand himself and what he’s been through so he can end the cycle of abuse. Christensen is explicit in his description of the abuse Keith endured, often uncomfortably so. By choosing a first-person narration, the author steeps the reader in each violent act suffered by the main character. The inherent tension of this type of conflict makes for a compelling read; however, Christensen’s work could have benefited from further revision. While it is evident the narrative was composed with care, there are several mechanical issues that make for a clunky read. Misplaced dialogue tags, as well as multiple errors in syntax, may distract the critical reader.
A well-constructed cautionary tale of the problems facing families trapped in generational patterns of abuse.Pub Date: March 5, 2012
ISBN: 978-1463606855
Page Count: 188
Publisher: CreateSpace
Review Posted Online: Aug. 24, 2012
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
A psychological thriller for readers who are bored with run-of-the-mill horror movies, enjoy the dark side of mythology and...
The sadistic account of one man’s quest to escape a prophecy he never wanted.
Martin’s life was never what he imagined. He started off with a negligent and abusive mother, a friendless childhood and more hurt and terror than most can imagine. It only got worse when his new “Daddy” came on the scene—the prophetic, masochistic and pain-happy Paul who became the only father Martin ever knew—the man who taught (by way of torture) that suffering is merely a feeling that one can overcome. Fast-forward to New York’s grungy, pre-gentrification Alphabet City. It’s a hepatitis-infested, murder-heavy neighborhood; the perfect setting for this twisted tale. It’s here that Paul continues to inflect his torture. And it’s here where Martin meets Rose, a tattooed, pierced and unabashedly vivacious girl who lives in his building. Because of his feelings for Rose, Martin must revisit his past and determine both his own nature and if he will continue down the same warped path of pain as his father. Told in flashbacks from each character’s point of view, including an omniscient, but untrustworthy, narrator, the novel is an easy read. That is, until victims have body parts sliced off and hands nailed to tables and are hog tied, gagged and stuffed in a bag in Paul’s house of horrors. The star-crossed Rose and Martin find themselves on the opposing sides of warring clans. This ensures their thrilling quest for freedom and the power to choose their own destinies, regardless of their pasts. Long’s prose is deft and clear, transporting the reader from one character’s psyche to the next, from Paul’s squalid squatting quarters to Rose’s warm and color-drenched apartment. Heavy on the gore, blood and suffering, this tale is a compelling one. Those who embrace the genre will eagerly anticipate a second installment in the series.
A psychological thriller for readers who are bored with run-of-the-mill horror movies, enjoy the dark side of mythology and science fiction, and most importantly, have strong stomachs.Pub Date: June 7, 2012
ISBN: 978-0615648644
Page Count: 488
Publisher: Open Eyes
Review Posted Online: Aug. 22, 2012
Review Program: Kirkus Indie
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