Firedrake

Rating:
Summary: Engaging tapestry in bridled colours
Review: This book struck me as "realistic" in the following sense: not everyone is extraordinary in a positive way, an outlier, when the majority fall into the hump of the bell curve. Neither is the main character Shan so handicapped that engagement with her fate comes from a story of overcoming personal adversity. I admire books in which the protagonist is not special, not a hero or heroine, anti-hero or anti-heroine, with unusual capabilities, etc.

The variety of interpersonal roles that Shan assumes over the course of the book presents a kind of feminine reality. In addition, several instances of the Wise Older Women archetype, both good and evil, reinforce an emerging truth about womanhood. Does this book present a positive feminist outlook on the world? The author seems to take a middle-of-the-road position with respect to the emergence of gender identity.

I felt that the subtext of the book deals with repression at the personal and social levels, dealing with feelings of inferiority, and surviving by keeping one's head down. The overall impression was that of Van Gogh's sketches, especially those inspired by the works of Millais. Enthusiastic recommendation.