The review wasn't as nice as the actual book review which reads, to
me, more like an 8 or 8+. But I have begun to notice a
pattern in the reveiws which alludes to my style.
The good points: "twist" for the plot--I have good ideas and can
execute them; the character "experiences a fair amout of growth"--I
can create interesting characters; "the descriptions are lively and
the setting feels authentic"--I can describe things to where they
come alive.
The bad points: "The
prose tends to be verbose at times, which distracts from the
plot"--meaning I'm wordy or use too many words, BUT I take
chances. To paraphrase Amadeus, "which words do you want me
to cut?" In keeping with mental health, maybe being "verbose"
is good for the character's (or mine) therapy!
The ugly: "Justin's
on again, off again ex-wife Blair shows less development,
transforming into more of a caricature as the novel
progresses."
I have never had a character of mine called a
caricature before. Certainly, I can't claim that all
my character creations are well-rounded dynamic characters with
intersting problems that cause them to change or not change.
But keeping in mind the thought of "lightheartedness" and
tragi-comedy, Blair is definitely an important character. She
is a static character. She represents the past for Justin's
life. And the past can never change. She represents the
past as the dead-end of endless repetition of the same old, same
old. She is, therefore, not a caricature, but a symbolic
dead-end. She will never change, unfortunately.
Also, since I'm giving away secrets, here are four
more:
1. The cover with the old weathered hardback look represents
Justin's stony heart and the gold circle wreath represents his new
fleshy heart that he receives and its circumcision--these are three
spiritual metpahors.
2. Randle McMurtry is a nod to One Flew Over the Cuckoo's
Nest character Randle McMurphy as Justin's stay in Kelter Ward
C is very much like the depiction of McMurphy's environs in that
wonderful book and movie. He is a beat figure, a prankseter,
and free spirit living large and paired up with "Boz" who is a
metpahor for Charles Dickens, the two represent the Spirit of
Christmas Present.
3. The three paramedics: Mel, Bart, and Caspar represent the Three
Wisemen or Magi: Melchoir, Balthazar, and Caspar who represent the
three gifts and three known races and continents at that
time.
4. Lauren, the first ex-wife, takes the place of the Ghost of
Christmas Future and also Justin's guilt which will kill him if he
doesn't let it go. Again, folks, more metpahor.
Final
Point: "Cummins places a big emphasis on faith throughout his
odyssey" meaning I lose points for being a Christian and talking
about Christ instead of worldly values. Christ said that
would happen. Well, whose favor am I really trying to curry
in talking about Christ? Why write this book in the
place? To let Christ change a heart.
Hey, it can happen! It happened to me, folks!
What suprised me most was the descriptive use of
"lighthearted." It is tongue-in-check. Perhaps, a
tragi-comedy. What used to be called a "Black Comedy" or
whacked-out parody.
