Galilee – A Novel of the Fantastic by Clive Barker

galilee clive barker

Clive Barker is known for his twisted horror and suspenseful thrillers.  I’ve always loved his writing, and a few of his works are among my favorites.  I don’t know why I waited so long to read Galilee, but I’m glad I finally did, as it is now not only my favorite novel by Barker, but it has become one of my favorite novels, period.

Galilee is pure Southern Gothic…an epic tale spanning centuries.  No, spanning millenia.  It is a story of warring families, destined lovers, and tragic fate.  A bit of a departure for Barker, but his signature wit and propensity for the bizarre are very much alive in this book.

The families at war are the Geary family and the Barbarossas.  The Gearys are an extremely wealthy and powerful clan (think the Kennedys) and the Barbarossas are an ancient family with ties that go back to Thomas Jefferson, and as you soon find out, much further back than that.

The novel begins simply enough, describing the Barbarossa house and grounds, a bit of its Jeffersonian history…and then quickly drops a bombshell on the reader about the nature of the family.  The supernatural and surreal quickly take hold, without losing the human drama of the characters.  Many reviewers reveal this family secret, but I will not.  It is far more enjoyable to discover for yourself as you read.  The entire book is written from the point of view of Maddox, whose bird’s eye view and uniquely acquired perspective is a tale unto itself.

At the heart of the story is the novel’s namesake Galilee and the object of his desire is Rachel Geary.  Theirs is a star crossed romance that would make Shakespeare proud.  Galilee is the son of Barbarossa family matriarch Cessaria. Rachel is married to the heir to the Geary dynasty, Mitchell.   The two meet under unusual circumstances, and immediately commence a steamy romance that might make you blush.  Yes, Barker brings some seriously erotic heat to this novel, but it never crosses the line to vulgarity.

Of course, given the centuries old feud between their two families, they suffer for their love.  And the very love that brings them together threatens to bring on the ultimate battle that may end up destroying both of their houses.

The whimsical and fantastical details of this story must be read to truly appreciate.  Strange beasts, gods and goddesses, ghosts, zombies, demons, angels, sex, money, power, betrayal, and burning passion are all major characters in Galilee.  I’ve intentionally avoided giving away too much of the story.  It is so good that I wouldn’t want to rob anyone of the bliss and sorrow within the pages.

If you are a fan of horror, epic dramas, mystery, romance… Galilee will appeal to you.  It is an exploration of immorality and honor, and how both of these things tend to intermingle. Ultimately, Galilee is a dark dark fantasy.  I can’t praise it enough.  Read it.

xoxo

Natalina

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Mary Modern by Camille DeAngelis

mary modern Camille DeAngelis

Mary Modern, by Camille DeAngelis is a tale full of near future intrigue, romance, suspense, and heavy drama. Borrowing some inspiration from that other Mary…Mary Shelley (Frankenstein), Camille DeAngelis has written a tale about the moral and ethical dangers of cloning, as well as what happens to the mind when in a deep state of sorrow and despair.

The book revolves around Lucy Morrigan, a genetics researcher at a Massachusetts University.  She lives a solitary life in a gigantic mansion filled with the memories of her family including the basement lab of her father, who was also involved in the study of genetics and bioengineering.  When she meets fellow professor Gray, they fall for each other, and he moves into the stuffy old house with her. Their relationship blossoms, and is near perfect until  Lucy learns that due to some physical complications, she will be unable to conceive a child. She is truly wrecked by her grief.

As Lucy mourns the loss of her ability to have children, she is overcome by inspiration.  After casting aside the legal and ethical dilemmas she faces,   Lucy decides that she will use the DNA of her grandmother (which is taken from a blood stain on an old apron) and engineer a clone which will be implanted in her womb.  All of the necessary equipment is in the basement lab.  She gets to work and creates the embryo, implanting it herself.

As time passes, her belly becomes huge and impossible to bear, so she has the growing fetus removed (with the help of a trusted but morally opposed colleague) and places it into a big mechanical womb/incubator which was created by her father.  What emerges is a 22 year old (the age she was when she spilled her blood on the apron)  exact replica of Lucy’s grandmother, Mary.

Mary’s memories from 1929 are fully intact, and while she takes some time getting used to her new surroundings (even though she is still living in the house where she last existed) she is soon a very vibrant and likeable character.  Of course, this tale of morally questionable science could not be told without a huge road block.  Mary misses her husband from the past, and becomes adamant that Lucy owes it to her to clone him as well.  In the meantime, Mary and Gray begin to develop feelings for one another, further complicating things for Lucy.  And Mary.  And Gray.

Then there is the matter of the insane preacher, who discovers the secret of how Mary came into existence, and threatens to turn Lucy in to authorities (cloning is strictly illegal, and Lucy’s genetics lab at the University is routinely inspected) unless Lucy creates a clone of Jesus Christ himself.

There is also a side story involving a man who wrote a book from the future, which comes into possession of the Morrigan family.  Exerpts from the book implying some sort of time bending or time travel are placed throughout the book, adding another element of excitement to the story.

Clearly, this novel requires a HUGE suspension of disbelief.  The science is not sound.  Even knowing that the novel is based in the future does not help the cause of buying that one could incubate a full grown human being in mere months from a single embryo.  Also, we must accept the theory that our genes contain a mechanism for storing our memories, in order to believe that Mary could emerge with all of her thoughts and emotions exactly as they had been in her previous life.  However, with the lovely almost old-fashioned prose, and the intriguing tale of morals versus the heart’s desire, Mary Modern is an enjoyable and fantastical tale, that remained in the back of my brain long after reaching the end.

My only complaints are these.  The main character of Lucy, who is at first a sympathetic character, quickly becomes very unlikable.  I wanted to feel for her and her dilemma, and I feel that the story would have been helped if I had been able to emotionally connect with her trials after creating Mary.  Lucy is egotistical, unapologetic, and almost amoral.  Her boyfriend Gray is far more relatable, and his affection for Mary conflicts heartbreakingly with his loyalty and love (although waning) for Lucy.

Also, the book jumps between points of view.  Sometimes we are reading from Lucy’s vantage point, sometimes Mary’s and sometimes Gray’s.  It gets a little confusing as you try to keep track of who is relating the story at any given point.  It also jumps back and forth through time a bit, furthering the frustration at times.

All in all, this story asks the reader to consider many things…who determines what one does with their own body, what is life exactly, and what are the limits of science when it comes to the sanctity of life?  It isn’t preachy, allows the reader to draw their own conclusions, and has a great twist in the end.  However, it is also a cautionary tale, just as Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein was, and will make you think twice next time you hear about the latest scientific breakthrough in bioengineering.

If you’re looking for a fairytale for modern times, I can think of few that will be as thought provoking and heart wrenching as Mary Modern.

xoxo

Natalina


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The Sacred Book of the Werewolf: A Novel by Victor Pelevin

book The Sacred Book of the Werewolf: A Novel by Victor Pelevin

This has to be one of the most magnificent books I’ve read in ages.  Full of humor, suspense, romance, philosophy, Buddhist principles, and enchanting prose, “The Sacred Book of the Werewolf” is one that I’d recommend a thousand times over.

This is a book about werewolves….actually, a werewolf and a werefox in Russia; Alexander and A Hu-li. 

 A Hu-li is the werefox, who is able to transform herself into an irresistible woman, and use her charms in her occupation as a prostitute.  She hypnotizes her Johns into thinking they’re having sex with her, and she takes their money while retaining her purity.

Alexander is a Russian Intelligence officer…and werewolf.  He and Hu-li fall for each other and enter into a steamy affair that is at once very erotic and terribly sweet. 

But only part of their relationship is sexual.  The rest of it, and perhaps the most intimate, is completely cerebral.  The two talk about everything from religion and art to government and war.  The talks between the two are ultimately what lead to the dramatic change in their relationship, as they attempt to reconcile their need to overpower each other intellectually, physically, and even supernaturally, with the fact that they are hopelessly in love with one another.

But as I said, this is so much more than some paranormal romance.  This book is deep, and at times challenging to read.  The author, Victor Pelevin, takes us on a journey through post Soviet Russia, and laments at the changes in the culture and character of the Country.  Through Alexander, he shows the dangers of globalism to Russia and the rest of the world. In one moving scene, Alexander is in werewolf form, and howls forlornly next to a dried up oil well. 

There is also a deep exploration of suffering and enlightenment in this novel, bringing the principles of Buddhism into the mix.  Throughout, satire and wit are used to highlight much larger issues and agendas, and frankly, it can be enjoyed on either level.

There are major plot twists, huge surprises, and so many tangents, one might be in danger of frustration if the characters weren’t so engaging.  And the seductive, sensual nature of the scenes inside Hu-li’s bomb shelter where she carries out her affair with Alexander….I’m fanning myself just recalling those moments!

So, with an alluring and hypnotic flick of my bushy foxtail, I command you to read and savor this once in a lifetime story.  You will not regret it, I promise you.

xoxo

Natalina

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The Book of Joby

book of joby The Book of Joby

The Book of Job is a tricky section of the Bible, as it shows God and Satan entering into a challenge or a wager, with the life of Job, a humble servant of God, and his family, as the pawns.

I have always been fascinated by Job and his trials, and was mightily intrigued when I came upon the novel The Book of Joby by Mark Ferrari. I picked it up on a whim having read the synopsis on the back, and have never been so pleased by an impulse purchase.

“I thought so,” the Creator sighed, “The same stupid bet.”

This line outlines the premise of the book. God and Lucifer have entered into yet another bet. Lucifer is constantly challenging God for the souls of his most beloved, and God never loses. But this time, the bet is slightly different. God cannot intervene at all. The Devil and his minions may do whatever they please. The target: 9 year old Joby, a young boy with a rich fantasy life. The stakes: The fate of the World as we know it. The terms: Lucifer has 30 years to turn Joby away from the forces of good, God may not intervene, Lucifer may not physically harm the boy.

Thus begins the fascinating journey of Joby, as we watch him turn from bright-eyed boy, to disillusioned adolescent, to world weary man. We follow him every step of the way as he suffers from wave after wave of attack delivered by Lucifer, in an effort to break his spirit. And, while Joby becomes worn and weakened by the assault on his soul, he seems to retain always a spark in him, that keeps the reader rooting for him to triumph.

Now, this is not a Christian lit novel.  It is a book for grown ups with some very adult situations. In fact, most Christians would probably find this book a bit on the blasphemous side. While the main characters are mostly Biblically based (God, Lucifer, the Archangels) the themes veer into the Sci-Fi and Fantasy realm, with Arthurian intrigue and magic, as well as very human drama. The characters are so well fleshed out and believable, I found myself laughing out loud and then sobbing. I particularly loved the way God is depicted as a combination of a wise sage and a wise cracker. Lucifer is of course a slick business man, who gathers his minions in a board room, and uses power point presentations to lay out his wicked schemes.

This novel is epic in scope, and weighs in at 628 pages.  I found myself breezing through it quickly, and not wanting it to end. Never before have I read a book that so accurately portrayed the human experience and our life long struggle to make sense of the world around us.

If you are a fan of great epic tales like The Lord of the Rings you will love this book. If you are a fan of literature in general, I would highly recommend giving The Book of Joby a chance. It is one that I will re-read, that I will give as a gift, and I will treasure always.

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