| Author | Message | ||
     Thumper (Thumper) Rating: |
Hello All, I just finished The Gilda Stories by Jewelle Gomez, and I loved it! I'm sure many of you don't know that I've been a fan of Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles going on 10 years. While I'm not engulfed in the gothic scene, I do like my vampires. I had read a couple of Gilda Stories in the Black Silk and Black Like Us anthologies. I liked the stories and bought, THAT'S RIGHT CAREY I SAID BOUGHT!, a paperback edition. It wasn't what I expected. I was looking for more blood and violence, grand adventures and the likes. What I got with the Gilda Stories were stories that centered on humanity and morality. I like Gilda as a character, but she got on my nerves with the constant whining of her aloneness, and missing Bird, her vampire mentor and maker. By the time I got to page 240 out of the 250+ page book, I wanted to slap Gilda and tell her to get over herself, enough is enough already. I appreciate the stories of Gilda travelling through the different periods of US history, but her self involvement dampen what could have been extraordinary experiences and stories. I wondered why she didn't travel to her sisters when she became a vampire and keep up with her family, especially since she constantly longed for family-community to call her own and just be. This was the main avenue that I wished Gomez would have taken. I didn't like the last two chapters at all where Gilda was in the year 2020 and 2050. By then I was sick of Gilda's whining, and the chapters smacked of an underdeveloped Octavia Butler novel. Enough of the negative stuff, let me talk about the positive. Gilda Vampire's community was intersting. Gomez's insight of human nature was on point. Gilda's early life was captivating and moved like warm honey. Gomez is a hidden treasure of an author. I'm sorry The Gilda Stories didn't fly off the shelves when it was initially published. It's definitely a memorable novel. | ||
| Carey Rating: N/A |
Hello Thump It sure feels good to be back doesn't it. So you went ahead and made that big leap huh. I sure am proud of you, it was about time. Yes sir buddy, it must feel good knowing you can actually PAY for your own book *lol*. And don't get me wrong, I know how hard it is to break a habit but you did it, you stopped bumming books and bought one. Yeah, it was a paperback but hey, you have to start somewhere. before you know it you might even make that big leap to hardcover. Don't get all nervous and thangs, I know something like that takes time but you can do it *smile*. So The Gilda Stories wasn't a "My Soul To Keep" huh? Was there any simularities. From you post, It appears that Ms. Gomez has all the tools to kick up some dust but a stronger storyline is needed??? So, Library or keeper? Hey, I ain't going to let the cat out of the bag but one of these days you are going to have to tell me where your real name came from? Do you actually use that thang *LOL*. I'm starting my Christmas list and you're on the long one. Where would I go to shop for a man of your size? *smile* Carey | ||
| Thumper Rating: N/A |
Hello Carey, See, there you go. Haven't we already been traveled down this road a time or two already? *eyebrow raised* I believe so. The Gilda Stories was not My Soul To Keep. Both are different, and I'm not sure that I can say that overall one is better than the other. I do know that Gilda got on my nerves, as did ol' girl in My Soul To Keep. Carey, you know I can't stand whiney people in real life; I like 'em less in books. The Gilda Stories was just another take on the vampire lore that showed the position of the outsider. The storyline was OK, it needed more action, more conflict and less self-observation. It's a keeper. I told you the truth about my real name. My grandmother got my first and middle name from a baby name book. She named me and my cousin. Oh, and where to shop for me...I was about to say your closet, but then I remembered that your clothes was originally bought in the late 1940s and you tell Miss Ann, "Honey, how many times do I have to tell you that I don't need to buy new clothes. These that I got, always come back in style every 10 years. I'm ahead of the game." *LOL* Who you tryin' to kid?? *LOL* |
