Two Stories By Seanan McGuire

[kerravonsen]

Seanan McGuire is a guest of honour at Continuum XIII in June. I've made it a resolution to read at least one work by a GoH before the convention, rather than afterwards. I find it increases my enjoyment of the convention. And, look, I've read two: "Indexing" and "Every Heart A Doorway".

I think I'd say that Indexing is what would happen if you crossed Jim Hines' "The Stepsister Scheme" and his "Libriomancer" and upped the darkness a notch or two. With (forgive me Jim) better characterisation and more lyrical descriptions. I was surprised that I ended up liking the bitchy character quite a lot; funny how one can completely flip one's assessment of a character when you discover the motives behind their behaviour. The ensemble cast... you might consider them a team of firemen who have been dealing with a massive outbreak of serial arsonists in the middle of a drought in the height of summer. Only the "fire" is the intrusion of Fairy Tales into the real world. I'm reminded of this quote from Doctor Who:

"They want to kill us!"
"They want you to be happy. Killing you is just a side-effect."

The Fairy Tales want their Ever After. Killing you is just a side-effect.

"Every Heart A Doorway" is also urban fantasy; it again has the theme that "ever after" is seldom happy in the real world. In this case, it considers what happens to children after they come back from their portal-fantasies -- when they come back up the rabbit-hole, come out of the mirror, close the wardrobe door. When they come back changed and their parents can't accept it. Again with the good characterisation and the lyrical descriptions. Also again with the darkness. There are parts of this which are downright gruesome. I'm not very likely to read the upcoming prequel, which is the backstory of Jack and Jill, because I'm reeeeeally not into vampires. The third book (coming in 2018) looks more appealing to me.

I did also, a few years ago, start listening to an audiobook of the first October Daye novel, "Rosemary and Rue" but I couldn't get into it. Makes me think of the way I couldn't really get into Jim Butcher's Dresden Files series either... I think they're just past the line of how much darkness I can deal with in my fantasy. Just too much grimness and gloom, of the "life sucks" variety.

Comments

[tptigger]

You might try her Cryptids books- not fairy tales but very inventive supernatural creatures. :)

[kerravonsen]

I might, but I might not. They probably would be too gloomy too. 8-/

[vilakins]

I couldn't read the Dresden Files either, though they were recced to me. I lasted about two chapters.

Re what happens to those who come back, the children who grew up in Narnia really disturbed me, turning back into kids again when they'd ruled kingdoms and considered marriage. The books never covered that. I assume these do, but I'm not sure I can handle too much darkness, like you. I'm reading Hyperion by Dan Simmons and I keep having to break off and read something lighter, though the pilgrims' tales are very inventive SF, because of the intensity and graphic violence. There are three more books but I'm not sure I'll read them, no matter how well written.

[kerravonsen]

I couldn't read the Dresden Files either, though they were recced to me. I lasted about two chapters.

Yeah, they were highly recced to me too, so I went off and bought a bunch of them before I'd finished the first one. Very unwise. I did finish the first one, but the ending was so gory - ugh. But I had them, so I started reading the next one, but I couldn't get into it. I probably should just get rid of all my Harry Dresden books, rather than feel guilty about not having read them. I'm much more self-protective than I used to be.

Re what happens to those who come back, the children who grew up in Narnia really disturbed me, turning back into kids again when they'd ruled kingdoms and considered marriage. The books never covered that. I assume these do, but I'm not sure I can handle too much darkness, like you.

They did cover that to a degree; it varied from portal to portal as to whether they turned back to kids or not.
IIRC, I can handle a little more darkness than you -- I remember you couldn't watch Bones, while I was okay with it, because the dead bodies seemed clinical to me in that context. Given that, I wouldn't recommend you read "Every Heart A Doorway" because there are a couple of gruesome murders in it, and the description of one of them in particular makes one shudder. So, no, probably not for you.

I'm reading Hyperion by Dan Simmons and I keep having to break off and read something lighter, though the pilgrims' tales are very inventive SF, because of the intensity and graphic violence.

Thanks for the warning -- I can cross that off the list of "recced books I feel guilty about not reading yet" -- good!

[vilakins]

I gave up on Bones when they had the acid bath murder. I almost vomited and decided right then enough already.

I think you could handle Hyperion because I'm managing it with breaks. As I said, it's inventive SF and (so far) that's enough to counteract the gore (which isn't in all the stories) and anyway I skim through those bits quickly. I do want to find out how it ends, and I hope it does have a satisfying ending although there are sequels.

[imhilien.livejournal.com]

I've read 'Every Heart a Doorway' and thought it was good. But I don't think I'll read the prequel either...

[kerravonsen]

I liked Jack; Jack was just amoral. Jill, on the other hand...

[sallymn.livejournal.com]

They sound interesting, I should try them :)

[kerravonsen]

Yeah, I think they would be the kind of thing you like, especially "Every Heart A Doorway", given your love of Alice.

[delphipsmith]

I love her music, but haven't read any of her books yet. Both Indexing and Every Heart are on my (ever-growing) to-read list :)