This was not a good book.
In terms of story which it was ok. Just ok, but nothing unique or groundbreaking. A tale of revenge, family, lust and ultimately hearbreak.
What made it bad was the tone, the casual violence towards women, one in particular, and the attempts by so many characters to not only justify it, but to blame this woman for it. She deserves a beating, deserves every slap she gets. I get that its a product of its time, but its hard to read with modern sensibilities.
One particular instance early on when McGee meets this ladies' husband who describes slapping her and beating her for trying to leave him. He'll basically beat sense into her until she realises she's essentially his property. McGee ends this meeting with the enlightened thought that he liked him a lot better than his wife!
I'm sticking with this series because I've been assured that this changes, but this one feels like a step back from books 1 & 2. Since the three were all released in 1964 only months apart (as was book 4) this may not be foretelling of the series as it progresses.
McGee remains a great character, trying to be the righteous avenger, the hero for the downtrodden female. With tough love and honest appraisals he forges a bond with the ladies he's helping which always seems to end with an intimate encounter, which evidently bores him in the end. Not a very likeable man thus far, but I'll persevere for I'm nothing if not a glutton for punishment, and a completist. And as a wise man once said "I've started so I'll finish".
What made it bad was the tone, the casual violence towards women, one in particular, and the attempts by so many characters to not only justify it, but to blame this woman for it. She deserves a beating, deserves every slap she gets. I get that its a product of its time, but its hard to read with modern sensibilities.
One particular instance early on when McGee meets this ladies' husband who describes slapping her and beating her for trying to leave him. He'll basically beat sense into her until she realises she's essentially his property. McGee ends this meeting with the enlightened thought that he liked him a lot better than his wife!
I'm sticking with this series because I've been assured that this changes, but this one feels like a step back from books 1 & 2. Since the three were all released in 1964 only months apart (as was book 4) this may not be foretelling of the series as it progresses.
McGee remains a great character, trying to be the righteous avenger, the hero for the downtrodden female. With tough love and honest appraisals he forges a bond with the ladies he's helping which always seems to end with an intimate encounter, which evidently bores him in the end. Not a very likeable man thus far, but I'll persevere for I'm nothing if not a glutton for punishment, and a completist. And as a wise man once said "I've started so I'll finish".
No comments:
Post a Comment