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A review by cashleigh98
Poachers by Tom Franklin
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
Normally, I’m all for supporting Alabaman stories, but this had some problems.
1. This did not add anything new to literature. Everyone has seen or heard the depictions of evil swamp children or alcoholic men working blue-collar jobs who hate their wives. Not original, no fresh perspective, it’s all reiteration of previous stereotypes.
2. The characters were neither likable nor redeemable. Even characters that had been through hell and back (Swamp Children, the sex worker from Instinct) were not given an ounce of compassion. Every character was flattened to their basest self, which is interesting if that was the intention, but I’m not convinced it was purposeful. It’s easier to feed into pre-conceived notions than to break the mold. Tom, if you know these people in real life, please go to therapy and get new friends.
3. Racism and misogyny galore. I read some of the most uncomfortable conversations between men about women with nary an introspection from the author about the meaning or implications of those conversations. Same goes for racial tensions. Slurs were used, Blaccent was abundant, and overall, every depiction was unflattering or fucking disrespectful. This had ‘my bitch wife’ energy throughout, so I don’t think anyone who actually likes women or Black people would enjoy reading this.
4. The stories get 1/2 point for some cool imagery and 1/2 point for being short stories. Fast read but interminable in the way that church is. Surprisingly caustic towards south Alabama from someone who is purportedly from the area.
1. This did not add anything new to literature. Everyone has seen or heard the depictions of evil swamp children or alcoholic men working blue-collar jobs who hate their wives. Not original, no fresh perspective, it’s all reiteration of previous stereotypes.
2. The characters were neither likable nor redeemable. Even characters that had been through hell and back (Swamp Children, the sex worker from Instinct) were not given an ounce of compassion. Every character was flattened to their basest self, which is interesting if that was the intention, but I’m not convinced it was purposeful. It’s easier to feed into pre-conceived notions than to break the mold. Tom, if you know these people in real life, please go to therapy and get new friends.
3. Racism and misogyny galore. I read some of the most uncomfortable conversations between men about women with nary an introspection from the author about the meaning or implications of those conversations. Same goes for racial tensions. Slurs were used, Blaccent was abundant, and overall, every depiction was unflattering or fucking disrespectful. This had ‘my bitch wife’ energy throughout, so I don’t think anyone who actually likes women or Black people would enjoy reading this.
4. The stories get 1/2 point for some cool imagery and 1/2 point for being short stories. Fast read but interminable in the way that church is. Surprisingly caustic towards south Alabama from someone who is purportedly from the area.