The Parallel Universe of Mom-Lit Fantasy

by Marcus on June 19, 2007

therestorer.jpgSharon Hinck has potentially done something really interesting in her latest book The Restorer—help more women understand the draw of fantasy.

After Wayne’s wonderful cautionary post about reviews, I admit I’m a little scared to review the book.

First, the prose. Karen’s prose is professional and smooth and typical of current successful Christian fiction. I can’t tell you how tired I get with bad prose. Her sentences are good. That goes a long, long way for me.

You can read a good representative excerpt on ChristianBooks.com. Sadly, though, the excerpt doesn’t include a bit of fantasy. Unless you count Susan’s husband’s month long extreme attic makeover. (It had me day dreaming of home improvement projects.)

OK, so I have to come out with it. I’m just not the audience for this book. The book made me feel like a guy. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not your typical guy. I don’t sit on the couch so engrossed in the game that my wife can’t get my attention, for instance. (Confession: I sit on the couch so engrossed in poetry that my wife can’t get my attention. Sometimes anyway. Thankfully, she can laugh about it.)

I think Sharon’s book may work well for its intended audience. And like Wayne said, I think it could potentially open the door for many women to discover fantasy who would never do so otherwise. I hope it does.

I have another confession. The most interesting thing of the tour, and also one reason that I may bow out of CSFF for awhile, is the review and discussion over on Sci Fi Catholic. I just don’t know how to react. On the one hand, it is hard to read SFC’s brutal shredding of the book.

On the other hand, what are critics supposed to do except provide their opinion? At some point someone will need to be scathing if we are also expected to be honest. Whether a critic can write a scathing review in love is a question that makes me wonder about the nature of public critiques rather than the nature of love.

On the other other hand, that infamous surprising third hand that sometimes pops out when I need it for a good triplet of options, on that hand, gosh it’s late. And I’m thinking, why do we do these blog tours again?

I mean, are we here to review the books? Or just talk about them as one more purchasing option for people interested in CSFF.

Other folks on the tour:

Trish Anderson
Brandon Barr
Jim Black
Justin Boyer
Grace Bridges
Amy Browning
Jackie Castle
Valerie Comer
Karri Compton
Frank Creed
Lisa Cromwell
CSFF Blog Tour
Gene Curtis
D. G. D. Davidson
Chris Deanne
Jeff Draper
April Erwin
Linda Gilmore
Beth Goddard
Marcus Goodyear
Andrea Graham
Russell Griffith
Jill Hart
Katie Hart
Sherrie Hibbs
Heather R. Hunt
Becca Johnson
Jason Joyner
Kait
Karen
Dawn King
Tina Kulesa
Lost Genre Guild
Rachel Marks
Rebecca LuElla Miller
Eve Nielsen
John W. Otte
John Ottinger
Robin Parrish
Rachelle
Cheryl Russel
Hanna Sandvig
Chawna Schroeder
Mirtika Schultz
Steve Trower
Speculative Faith
Jason Waguespac
Daniel I. Weaver

  • Thanks, Marcus. Yeah, I misunderstood what you meant, big time.

    Let me make clear, though--I had artistic objections to the book, not moral ones. I realize I failed to make that distinction in my review, and after some thought, I realize that I disliked the artistic elements so much (including the fictional religion) that I went hunting for theological objections. That was wrong of me.

    I have no moral or theological objections to the novel; I regard the poorly developed religion part of the book's artistry, but I can't peg anything in the book as really theologically objectionable. Loving scripture and using it to combat evil is certainly not a moral problem, but a depiction of it, if it isn't a good depiction, can be an artistic problem.
  • DGD, here's the thing. I don't think you were over the top. Sometimes a critic needs to brutally shred a book. You had real moral objections to the book. I don't quite agree with you, but I certainly respect your right to voice those objections. In an earlier version of this post, I compared you to a prophet--telling people the bad news that they don't want to hear. But that analogy felt unfair to Sharon.

    Which is why my only conclusion is to wonder what we are supposed to do. Certainly you should be allowed to challenge us all to write good stuff. Really good stuff. Stereotypes and stock characters can't be allowed if we want Christian SFF to be viewed as anything other than a one dimensional caricature of a better genre.

    On the other hand, it feels wrong to me to accept free books, to pretend to encourage folks and then to skewer their work--which may need skewering.

    Although as for that, I suppose the honesty of the blog tour will generate more credibility than a bunch of "rah rah rah go team" robot reviews from everybody drinking the company cool-aid and walking off cliffs with blinders on.
  • I delayed in respond here because I felt too close to the issue.

    Jason, I'm sure I'll stick around. I can't resist hanging out with you guys because you're the only Christians I know who like science fiction and fantasy.

    Susan, you're not letting me off the hook are you? So here it is: thumbs down. Give me Gene Wolfe or Dean Koontz for good Christian fantasy. As for the Sharon/Karen mixup, I was thinking of Karen Hancock and Sharon Hinck. Those names are too similar for me to keep straight! (But thanks for pointing out the error. I fixed it.)

    L.L., I've heard nothing but good about Sharon, that's why it feels wrong not to like her book!

    Eve, I always appreciate your comments. Sorry for not making it by your blog lately. I'm sorting through some things here. (And thanks for noticing my new template!)

    Becky, thanks. I've told you this before, but I want to say again. Your selfless and thoughtful leadership is a real inspiration.
  • Thanks for your thoughtful comments, Mark. I'm sorry my review provoked such a strong reaction. "Brutal shredding" was not my goal when I wrote the review, though I assumed it would be controversial. I may have overstepped the line and have left my own reflection here: http://www.scificatholic.com/2007/06/june-chris...
  • As I explain to new folk signing up for CSFF BT, there are 3 goals, and I don't weigh one over the other: promote the genre of Christian science fiction/fantasy, promote the particular book or website we feature, draw readers to our individual blogs.

    I specifically say, also, that bloggers are free to say what they want and that good copy will be more apt to hook visitors to making return trips to a blog.

    In that light, the post I think are least helpful are those that are "canned."

    I love the creativity, the discussion, the interaction that the tour generates. Even the controversy. (Hey, nothing sells like controversy. ;-) )

    As I saw this tour, those who disagreed with negative reviews were free to voice their opinion in comments and as posts on their blog.

    Good. Now we have varied opinions and readers will have to actually get the book and see what they think.

    I don't see the down side of this.

    I'm with Eve, Mark. It would be our loss if you dropped out.

    As far as I'm concerned, anyone who gives thoughtful interaction with our featured subject is welcome on the tour.

    Becky
  • Eve
    Nice look on the blog, Mark.

    I read tons of fantasy. This book did not rank tops on that aspect, but I really enjoyed the marrying of real-life mom with fantasy.

    The "whining" that was referred to by Cath. was something I so realated to. The main character is introduced as not whiney, but going through a major depression (all is well on the outside, but on the inside-hell).

    The verses were encouraging as well.

    I think that this book fits primarily moms who have not had much experience with fantasy. Fits it perfectly.

    I give the book a 7 out of 10.

    The purpose of CSFF? To promote the genre(s).

    Don't get discouraged over someone's lack of sensitivity. But talk to the Boss about what to do-He'll know. :)
  • Just popping in to say hi. Oh, and Sharon Hinck is such a nice person. I met her a few years ago at Mt. Hermon. (Um, no, that's not a book review.) :)
  • So, does this mean you actually are recommending this book as one worth the time to read? You have a Karen that sounds like you liked the book but then you switched to Sharon whose book MAY work well for its intended audience - but dont' say what the intended audience is.

    So, I'm a bit confused - can you give me some thumbs up or down?
  • Marcus,
    I thought you had some wonderful thoughts in here. I agree that this blog tour has been the most interesting one so far, but maybe for the wrong reason.

    I thought that SFC hit a lot of critical points about the book, but it seems that something caught his high horse and that came out in the review.

    You hit on a real conundrum about the blog tour. On one side, it is promotion for a book. I don't want to be negative, (especially when getting a free book), but it just didn't work for me. However, I don't want to be a cheerleader - if people come to me for reviews, I hope they are honest. I know of one Christian review site I don't bother visiting because I've never seen anything besides "rah, rah, another wonderful read!"

    I hope you stick around and help us find a middle ground to this in the CSFF tour. I've been exploring your site a bit and am impressed with what I've seen. Either way, be blessed.

    Jason
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