It’s Friday so this means we are over at Kirkus! This week, Ana reviews speculative fiction novel The Constantine Affliction by T Aaron Payton.
I was kind of let down by this book – it had a lot of potential with the fun trope of the Gentleman Detective and the Lady Journalist but alas, there were other parts of the story that I didn’t feel were so well done. Go HERE to read why.
4 Comments
Fangs for the Fantasy
December 21, 2012 at 3:43 pmYou had exactly the same issues with this book as we did when we reviewed it:
Awesome examination of gender roles and sexism, but such a shallow examination of gender identity and trans issues. We loved the book, loved it loved it loved it – but having an awesome examination of sexism by using trans issues as a tool isn’t ideal and felt more than a little exploitative and dismissive
Ana
December 21, 2012 at 6:57 pmAfter I read the book I looked all over the Internets for a review that mentioned these issues, I was very reassured by yours. I completely agree with you (although I think overall I liked the book a bit less than you did)
Sarah N.
December 23, 2012 at 3:48 amI’m a little confused by the premise. To clarify, there’s a STI that changes the sex organs of those infected with it to the sex organs of the opposing sex? And also stimulates growth of breast tissue in men (as the change in sex organs likely cause quick, sudden changes)? Or does it change the chromosomes, which wouldn’t result in major physical changes in a mature specimen (it would probably just cause death)? Or does it alter brain chemistry and thus supposedly makes those infected change gender identities?
I’m assuming if the book also doesn’t even address gender identity, it probably doesn’t bother to raise the question of whether or not such a disease could really change anything within the structure of the patriarchy. Which would be disappointing. This book just sounds so . . . insensible and shallow. Which bothers me. Hence this comment.
Ana
December 23, 2012 at 4:19 amSarah N – this is one of the things that puzzled me too. There is no in-depth examination of what exactly happens. Basically, a person is infected by the STI disease, then they either die or after a few days, should they survive, they are just changed. It is almost like magic, really. I don’t know what is the extent of such change but I felt it was very superficial and definitely insensible.