Sometimes a character is hideous, and we immediately recognize the danger–Dracula, zombies, werewolves, Hal from Space Odyssey, or even Biff Tannen from Back to the Future. At other times, we catch a flicker of evil, and that subtle flash can be as terrifying as the more overt villains. Here’s another quote from Boys Life, whichContinue reading ““…his true nature deep in his eyes…” from Boys Life, by Robert McCammon (14)”
Category Archives: Fiction
“Something dangerous lurked…” from The Red Texts Club, by Andrea VanRyken
Sometimes not giving detailed descriptions is more powerful than spelling-things-out too clearly. I liked this vague illustration of danger, just out of sight, leaving the reader’s imagination to fill in the rest. The Red Texts Club digs deeply and creatively into the teenage mind—more specifically the minds of teens dealing with depression. I struggled aContinue reading ““Something dangerous lurked…” from The Red Texts Club, by Andrea VanRyken”
“I had never seen a black Jesus before…” from Boys Life, by Robert McCammon (13)
Let’s return to another from McCammon. When did you see something that challenged your view of the world? This description is a simple and powerful reminder that most of us have preconceived ideas that need some light. It’s early in the year, but Boys Life will undoubtedly be one of my favorite 2024 reads–I’m surprisedContinue reading ““I had never seen a black Jesus before…” from Boys Life, by Robert McCammon (13)”
“…hawk-faced woman” from Parable of the Sower, by Octavia E. Butler
I’m a mix of Scandinavian, German, English, Irish, and South Dakotan:). Somehow my skin color turned out somewhere between peach, tan, and white, but I’m so much more than my skin color; so are you. I don’t want to be characterized by my skin color; neither do you. Yet those obsessed with race and skinContinue reading ““…hawk-faced woman” from Parable of the Sower, by Octavia E. Butler”
“Hands that…could crush bowling balls” from Boys Life, by Robert McCammon (12)
Like Andre The Giant in The Princess Bride, who says “it’s not my fault I’m the biggest and the strongest; I don’t even exercise,” this character is incredibly intimidating to our protagonist . . . and yet even the biggest and the strongest have weaknesses. I love this character description by McCammon. It’s early inContinue reading ““Hands that…could crush bowling balls” from Boys Life, by Robert McCammon (12)”
“…who would torture?” from Parable of the Sower, by Octavia E. Butler
One of the few creative aspects of Parable of the Sower, is that the protagonist feels the pain of those she sees in pain; this means she suffers, even becoming incapacitated, when she sees someone else badly injured. Imagine what she feels when she shoots and kills people: she experiences their death before falling unconscious.Continue reading ““…who would torture?” from Parable of the Sower, by Octavia E. Butler”
“…as frail as young trees…” from Boys Life, by Robert McCammon (11)
A coming of age novel often incorporates maturing realizations. In this one, our protagonist realizes that he and his home could both be blown or swept away–a shocking revelation for a kid. It’s early in the year, but Boys Life will undoubtedly be one of my favorite 2024 reads–I’m surprised I hadn’t come across itContinue reading ““…as frail as young trees…” from Boys Life, by Robert McCammon (11)”
“Vernon Thaxter” from Boys Life, by Robert McCammon (10)
This character is a quirky as they come, and he’s allowed to participate in the community–even when he stands to give a speech without a stitch of clothing on. Hilarious…and while he’s an odd duck, he ends up being a good guy. It’s early in the year, but Boys Life will undoubtedly be one ofContinue reading ““Vernon Thaxter” from Boys Life, by Robert McCammon (10)”
“Shape God” from Parable of the Sower, by Octavia E. Butler
There are lots of ways to deny the existence God. In this novel, Butler’s protagonist tries to convince those around her that God doesn’t exist, and their best option for survival is to impact or shape the one thing she sees as all powerful, “Change.” The antagonists in the story are, ironically, worshiping the sameContinue reading ““Shape God” from Parable of the Sower, by Octavia E. Butler”
“Squenched” from Boys Life, by Robert McCammon (8)
As a reader, do you enjoy newly invented words? As an author, do you invent words? Squenched is a fun one. Apparently it comes from quenched, but means extinguished. Here, McCammon hits at it meaning squished. Wrenched. Crammed. Pinched. And many more. A group “squenched in” to a car was a fun choice. It’s earlyContinue reading ““Squenched” from Boys Life, by Robert McCammon (8)”
“What do you pray to?” from Parable of the Sower, by Octavia E. Butler
The answer, “Ourselves” captures the hopelessness of Parable of the Sower. So many operate with out faith–perhaps a reason why fear crippled so many people (and was allowed to cripple the economy) when Covid spread and media and politicians fed the flames. If all you can pray to is yourself, what hope do you haveContinue reading ““What do you pray to?” from Parable of the Sower, by Octavia E. Butler”
“…eyebrows were as thick as caterpillars…” from Boys Life, by Robert McCammon (9)
You’ve seen these eyebrows. The line immediately returns you to that oddity, that uniqueness. Coupled with a face hammered on by garden tools, this is a face to remember, and probably to stay away from. It’s another great description. It’s early in the year, but Boys Life will undoubtedly be one of my favorite 2024Continue reading ““…eyebrows were as thick as caterpillars…” from Boys Life, by Robert McCammon (9)”