Skip to main content

Speculative Joys, Signs & Portents Then & Now



Full disclosure FYI: My reading self has been a fan of these two authors for years, making each of their works auto-reads for me with high expectations ingrained. Leslye Penelope and Maria Vale have also generously accepted invitations to the 5th annual The Write Women Book Fest as featured guest panelists at the authors expo/readers day on Saturday, October 14th at the Bowie Comfort Inn in Bowie, Maryland. thewritewomenbookfest.org 


The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope 

speculative 20th-c. historical fiction 

Redhook, August 2022 


Influenced by a real-life event in 1919 and opening with the Claude McKay poem that includes the title and a Marcus Garvey quote that likely inspired En Vogue’s “Free Your Mind” anthem, The Monsters We Defy offers a blend of magical realism, emotional gravity, and layers of historical context and complexity. Plus, it’s often fun and funny in subtle, slap-stick, and morbid ways. Clara, Zelda, and their band of unlikely allies engineer a heist that could save them or doom them. The mix of social commentary and cultural references evokes the comprehensive narrative substance and eloquence of Gloria Naylor with nods to Toni Morrison’s literary legacy in this ultimately hopeful recognition and celebration of historic Washington, D.C. and Blackness. 


The author’s note, acknowledgements, and interview transcript are also must-reads. My recommendation is to start reading it when there’s time to binge it, as in during a three-day weekend. 

 



Molly Molloy and the Angel of Death by Maria Vale, author & publisher 

speculative New Adult contemporary fiction 

April 4, 2023 



In her acknowledgements the author refers to MMatAoD as “this odd little book that fit nowhere.” It is odd. An allegorical tale using celestial beings, metaphysics, and a grumpy-clueless pairing to study the concept of being alive versus living a full life. Variations on themes regarding vulnerable and neglected children run throughout the narrative without losing its overall buoyant, absurdist tone. It’s a farce tackling serious, sometimes disturbing subjects. 


It’s quirky and charming and distinctive. Remembering that Maria Vale is a medievalist should also help readers recognize her nod to epic tales with pivotal refrains. Readers will probably fall into one of two categories: absolute enjoyment or complete befuddlement. MMatAoD inhabits space in the speculative universe populated by Lilith Saintcrow, early Katie MacAlister, N.K. Jemisin in terms of instantaneous altered reality, the Star Trek: The Next Generation character of Data, and the movies, City of Angels and Meet Joe Black. 


Occasional mid-scene shifts in points of view don’t dilute the power of this unconventional love story. 


For Maria Vale fans, approaching MMatAoD as its own unique work without preconceived expectations (beyond excellent storytelling) and allowing time for the initial chapters to establish the world-building parameters and  language shifts should maximize enjoyment of this fresh take on the risks, rewards, and consequences of human foibles and audacity.  


[note: Readers who are sensitive to oblique references to sexual exploitation and abuse may want to consider their possible impact.] 


More Three-day Weekend Reads




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hot Love in the Kitchen & Travelling Through Time

Redemption of the Heart by Moni Boyce contemporary romance Love Snacks Publishing  8 January 2019 Despite addressing heavy themes of domestic violence, incarceration, and grief, Redemption of the Heart is a charming and sweet spicy read in the tradition of a 21st-century interracial homage to Janet Dailey’s monthly romance era. Gemma’s open-hearted ingénue contrasts starkly with Alex’s jaded workaholic. They struggle with a variety of challenges, but ethnicity isn’t one of them—a spin that feels particularly modern. Once readers commit to their suspension of disbelief regarding the cascading impact of lacks in due diligence by several characters, it’s easy to settle in to enjoy this love story. The recent public debate about the pros and cons of Gillette’s “We believe the best man can be” campaign ties in with the contradictory messages in the story threads about toxic masculinity. There’s a scene in which Alex apologizes to someone who was openly bragging among coworkers
Post a Comment
Read more

Meeting Some Author Sheroes IRL at the Yale Pop Rom Fic Conference

  Flashback Friday to 2 weeks ago when my fandom for romance authors was rewarded while sitting in a Yale University auditorium in a How to Write a Romance Novel workshop taught by publishing phenoms Adriana Herrera & Sarah MacLean! With my sitting in the front row seated next to brilliant Dr. Margo Henderson (Elysabeth Grace*) and Legendary Shirley Hailstock on one side; TWWBF2023 participating author Briana Ellis on the other, who recognized me even with my face half-hidden by my mask! I THINK Nalini Singh was in the audience along with Ms. Bev and so many other super talented, successful authors and book industry professionals. 5th annual The Write Women Book Fest featured panelist Leslye Penelope and I crossed paths in a hallway while searching for the ladies room. WordLink literary agent Macey Howell and I had a lovely chat after a different session. The sister to the documentarian for "Love Between the Covers" was quite engaging as she snapped pics per her sibling&#
Post a Comment
Read more

DMV-Area & TWWBF Authors at PGCMLS South Bowie Branch

  [TWWBF2023 authors Shameka Erby, Eden Appiah-Kubi & author Courtney Duke Foster, who also supported TWWBF2023 by attending; TWWBF2023 author Briana L. Smith; book baskets as raffle prizes created by Nikki Payne's mom; the edge of PGCMLS Community Outreach Facilitator's left arm, Shameka Erby, Eden Appiah-Kubi, Nikki Payne; Briana & Eden looking toward the 1st raffle winner; Eden, Nikki & Courtney]      Saturday's "Celebrating Black Women's Voices in Fiction" with authors Eden Appiah-Kubi, Courtney Duke Foster, Shameka Erby, and Nikki Payne offered an abundance of thoughtful insights, personal revelations, and laughs from these brilliant, generous, successful human beings.  As moderator, Eden Appiah-Kubi's questions about inspirational authors, pivotal reads, book recommendations, the writing craft, self-publishing versus traditional publishing pros and cons, and more invited panelists to answer beyond the superficial, which offered the audien
1 comment
Read more