I always say reading shouldn't be a passive occupation. A good writer, and/or a good story is one that nudges those cogs in the brain into life and makes them do a bit of extra work. That's why I like Mary Patterson Thornburg so much. She's a modern American author whose stories always give my brain a good workout. Her latest story is an absolute treasure. Take a look first at the clever cover:
What does it lead you to expect? I'll be surprised if you get it in one. Would you say it's a story about race? About personal struggles? About romantic love? About trust and friendship? A story set in the past, present or future? Would you be surprised if I said it's about all of those - yes, even the last?
Luke Blackmon's Rose is one of those stories that refuses to be confined to one particular genre, and that's its beauty. And it's about all those things and so much more. I wanted to share my review of it by way of recommending it to you as a seriously good read. Needless to say, it earned five well deserved stars.
Here is my review:
This author’s writing dazzles me. Her characterisation and descriptions transport me into her fictional worlds so thoroughly that when I stop reading, I have to give myself a little shake to remind myself where I am. This is real literary talent, and I felt it especially strongly with this story.
The plot of ‘Luke Blackmon’s Rose’ is unusual and contains innovative ideas that kept me guessing all the way through. Sci-fi fans will most likely figure it out more quickly than me, but essentially Luke Blackmon, a gifted and talented actor, singer and athlete from the early twentieth century has been cloned and brought forward in time to the present day. The original Luke was the son of a slave, so the cloned Luke’s struggle to adjust to life in modern-day America provides a social commentary that is captivating and poignant. As if there are not enough riches in the plot, the powerful chemistry between Luke and Rose results in a romance that is quite breath-taking.
It isn't a long story, but it is an apt and moving story for our times, and one that should appeal to a very broad range of readers, leaving them with sufficient food for thought to satisfy them for a very long time. It will make you think long and hard, and I strongly recommend it.
Luke Blackmon's Rose is available from your usual retail outlets, including:
About the author:
Mary Patterson
Thornburg has lived in California, Washington, Montana, Indiana, and again,
finally, in Montana. She was educated at Holy Names College, Montana State
University, and Ball State University, where she then taught for many years. Thornburg
writes mostly in the genre that some people call “science fantasy,” within as
wide a range as possible, but almost always with a bit (or a lot) of romance.
She believes that genre fiction – written for the pleasure of all readers in
our literate world – can be every bit as serious and as important as so-called
“literary” fiction, and that its genres often and increasingly provide the best
vehicles for exploring life in its readers’ times. Her literary heroes are Mary
Shelley, who gave us all a metaphor for technology alienated from its creators;
Ursula K. Le Guin and Octavia E. Butler, inventors of worlds that shine their
powerful searchlights on this one; and Stephen King, who persists very
pleasingly in being Stephen King.
Hopefully I can persuade this talented author to visit my blog soon and talk more about this amazing story.
