Book 26 - Elizabeth Von Arnim "The Enchanted April"
Jul. 6th, 2025 01:49 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jazzy_daveElizabeth Von Arnim "The Enchanted April" (Penguin Modern Classics)
In this story, set in 1922, Mrs. Lottie Wilkins and Mrs. Rose Arbuthnot become disenchanted with their husbands. Acting as feminists for their time, they plan to spend the month of April away from men at a castle named San Salvatore on the Italian Riviera. They advertise and then invite Lady Caroline “Scrap” Dester and Mrs. Fisher to share expenses. They aren’t there long when the beauty of San Salvatore so overcomes Lottie Wilkins that she decides to invite her husband to join them.
Mellersh Wilkins, Lottie’s husband, arrives and immediately sees that meeting the people who are sharing the castle with his wife can be good for his business as an attorney. He is thrilled about this enterprising opportunity, and Lottie perceives that Mellersh appreciates her more than he had been, and her marriage becomes more fulfilling. Lottie, described as blessedly impetuous, tries to convince Mrs. Arbuthnot to invite her husband. However, Mrs. Fisher and Lady Caroline, who are not using the getaway to escape husbands, are less than enthralled with the anticipation of having more men among them.
Each woman’s unique reason for being at San Salvatore is part of this classic novel. Each didn't fully understand her unhappiness. But, each becomes enchanted with the grounds of their vacation rental and begins to view her life situation a little differently. The story intrigued me; I thought about how much has changed for women over the last 100 years and how much hasn’t. We are still debating whether the men in their lives should define women.
Additionally, societal’s expectations and views of women have changed, but perhaps not as significantly as many would believe. Elizabeth von Arnim encourages us to examine the completeness and complexities of women’s lives even in these modern times. She also teases us to wonder whether the four women were truly rejuvenated and refreshed by their enchanted Aril or whether they just accepted their lives or “settled” for what life offered.
In this story, set in 1922, Mrs. Lottie Wilkins and Mrs. Rose Arbuthnot become disenchanted with their husbands. Acting as feminists for their time, they plan to spend the month of April away from men at a castle named San Salvatore on the Italian Riviera. They advertise and then invite Lady Caroline “Scrap” Dester and Mrs. Fisher to share expenses. They aren’t there long when the beauty of San Salvatore so overcomes Lottie Wilkins that she decides to invite her husband to join them.
Mellersh Wilkins, Lottie’s husband, arrives and immediately sees that meeting the people who are sharing the castle with his wife can be good for his business as an attorney. He is thrilled about this enterprising opportunity, and Lottie perceives that Mellersh appreciates her more than he had been, and her marriage becomes more fulfilling. Lottie, described as blessedly impetuous, tries to convince Mrs. Arbuthnot to invite her husband. However, Mrs. Fisher and Lady Caroline, who are not using the getaway to escape husbands, are less than enthralled with the anticipation of having more men among them.
Each woman’s unique reason for being at San Salvatore is part of this classic novel. Each didn't fully understand her unhappiness. But, each becomes enchanted with the grounds of their vacation rental and begins to view her life situation a little differently. The story intrigued me; I thought about how much has changed for women over the last 100 years and how much hasn’t. We are still debating whether the men in their lives should define women.
Additionally, societal’s expectations and views of women have changed, but perhaps not as significantly as many would believe. Elizabeth von Arnim encourages us to examine the completeness and complexities of women’s lives even in these modern times. She also teases us to wonder whether the four women were truly rejuvenated and refreshed by their enchanted Aril or whether they just accepted their lives or “settled” for what life offered.
Book 25 - Michael Wilcox "Outlines : Benjamin Britten"
Jul. 6th, 2025 01:35 pmjazzy_daveMichael Wilcox "Outlines : Benjamin Britten" (Absolute Press)
Mr Wilcox bases his entire rational of Britten's operas upon the man's homosexuality and "liking for young boys" (a charge brought, as far as I can tell, by only one biographer of Britten).
Naturally, one's sexual orientation is going to influence any creative output, and Michael Wilcox does have some interesting insights into Britten's operas but, to concentrate upon only one issue does limit the scope. Mr Wilcox sites the fact that, in one opera, God is played by a male singer as proof of his theory: in the 1950's, and early 1960's, to suggest anything other than God being male would have been greeted with complete derision.
The fact that Britten liked to be surrounded by youngsters is again sited as proof that he was a closet paedophile. This may be so, but surely, without much more proof, this is simply the sign of a kindly man who, because of his sexual proclivities, is not going to become a father. I am not expert enough to judge which reading is the truth; I am concerned by a modern attitude of throwing mud at someone with no evidence and then, even if the judgement is proven to be flawed, the person is left with a certain taint of guilt.
I find it hard to understand Mr Wilcox's admiration of Britten, he does not paint a picture of a nice or a particularly proficient musician and, if the work is supposed to "out" Britten and, by so doing, enhance the position of homosexuals in society, then it is a massive failure. The casual acceptance that homosexuality and paedophilia go hand in hand, is, I would have thought, grossly offensive to the majority of homosexuals.
Not a book that I would recommend anyone to rush to add to their library
Mr Wilcox bases his entire rational of Britten's operas upon the man's homosexuality and "liking for young boys" (a charge brought, as far as I can tell, by only one biographer of Britten).
Naturally, one's sexual orientation is going to influence any creative output, and Michael Wilcox does have some interesting insights into Britten's operas but, to concentrate upon only one issue does limit the scope. Mr Wilcox sites the fact that, in one opera, God is played by a male singer as proof of his theory: in the 1950's, and early 1960's, to suggest anything other than God being male would have been greeted with complete derision.
The fact that Britten liked to be surrounded by youngsters is again sited as proof that he was a closet paedophile. This may be so, but surely, without much more proof, this is simply the sign of a kindly man who, because of his sexual proclivities, is not going to become a father. I am not expert enough to judge which reading is the truth; I am concerned by a modern attitude of throwing mud at someone with no evidence and then, even if the judgement is proven to be flawed, the person is left with a certain taint of guilt.
I find it hard to understand Mr Wilcox's admiration of Britten, he does not paint a picture of a nice or a particularly proficient musician and, if the work is supposed to "out" Britten and, by so doing, enhance the position of homosexuals in society, then it is a massive failure. The casual acceptance that homosexuality and paedophilia go hand in hand, is, I would have thought, grossly offensive to the majority of homosexuals.
Not a book that I would recommend anyone to rush to add to their library
New Cover: “Everyday”
Jul. 5th, 2025 10:16 pm![[syndicated profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/feed.png){kind=small}
scalziwhatever_feedIt’s a short and sweet oldy but a goody this time out, from Buddy Holly. Why this one? Why not? It’s been covered by just about everyone, from James Taylor to Erasure, and I really like the song, and I had free time this weekend, so here we are. If you like it, fabulous, if you don’t, well, it’s two minutes long, it’ll be over quickly enough.
And for those of you who have somehow never heard the original, here you go:
— JS
It’s the Nation’s Birthday
Jul. 4th, 2025 03:57 pmscalziwhatever_feedAnd we have a lot to think about.
— JS
I Could Be Handy Mending a Fuse When Your Lights Have Gone
Jul. 6th, 2025 12:10 amaustin_dernI must once more beg off writing up the European Vacation in order to tend other matters of great importance. Please enjoy more pictures from the Fairy Ball, though.
We poked back around the woodland trail in full darkness.
Here's the sort of path we were following by night.
And here we emerged onto the Court of the Fae, illuminated only by the overhead lights.
The Moon Grove looks even more remote in portrait mode.
They had something or other going nearly all the time, with the drawback being you couldn't avoid missing a lot of stuff.
Fairy lights in the darkness doing a very good job of being the trail.
Moon Grove as the wedding dancing was going on and, you can see, they were bringing out the light sabers!
Meanwhile here's a woman demonstrating fire dancing moves.
That's an exciting event!
Swinging the flames around some.
Yes, there's fire-swallowing.
And some dancing with the fire.
Trivia: Two of the final projects of Terry Toons were Saturday morning cartoon pilots: The Ruby Eye of the Monkey God, a jungle-adventure cartoon, and Sally Sargent, about a 16-year-old secret agent girl. Source: Terry Toons: The Story of Paul Terry and his Classic Cartoon Factory, W Gerald Hamonic.
Currently Reading: Empire of the Sum: The Rise and Reign of the Pocket Calculator, Keith Houston.
Will You Still Be Sending Me a Valentine
Jul. 5th, 2025 12:10 amaustin_dernMy days continue to be too busy with matters not yet fit to be shared, so please enjoy Fairy Ball pictures while I hope this situation soon changes.
They started taking volunteers for a Lion Dance and bunnyhugger joined the first and, it turned out, only group to perform.
Folks gathered around, getting their parts and getting instructions on what to do.
As an old marching band hand bunnyhugger was well-equipped to march correctly, unlike other people.
Here, someone makes off with a set of speakers while everyone else watches the dragon.
Frame from the middle of my movie of the dragon dancing.
And here we're near the end, the dragon's final bow.
Another sword-fighting demonstration, this time by night so everything looks blurry.
Alternatively, everyone looks really, really fast!
The end of the demonstration. Seconds gather up the participants.
And into the night and the wedding reception.
One of the communal art projects was painting these fairy mushroom scenes on the right.
Here's one of the completed boards.
Trivia: In the last year of Jean Louis Rodolphe Agassiz's life (1873) he ran a summer school for natural history, at the seashore on Penikese Island, off the southern shore of Massachusetts. Around 50 to 60 people attended. Source: Yankee Science in the Making, Dirk J Struik. (The island would in the 20th century house a leper hospital and, later, a residential school for troubled boys and is now a bird sanctuary.)
Currently Reading: Empire of the Sum: The Rise and Reign of the Pocket Calculator, Keith Houston.
The Big Idea: E. L. Starling
Jul. 3rd, 2025 03:57 pmscalziwhatever_feed
We do so love the big blue marble we call home, don’t we? But what if humans had another home, and what if it was our red and dusty space neighbor? Author E.L. Starling poses this question in the Big Idea for newest novel, Bound By Stars, thinking up possibilities about the future that are certainly dystopian, but also realistic. Follow along on a journey through the stars, and try to keep afloat as the (space)ship goes down.
E. L. STARLING:
My family rewatches Interstellar together every year, which sometimes (read: always) devolves into a heated debate about complex theories, space time, and whether “they” really were aliens or just an unfathomable combination of future human technology and a natural anomaly splicing through the multiverse. (Probably the aliens, right?)
In spring of 2022, as the credits rolled, my oldest veered off our usual set of topics and brought up a certain billionaire’s desire to terraform Mars. We all responded with eye rolls and a version of the same sentiment, “How about putting that effort into combating climate change on this planet where we already have oxygen, water, and atmosphere?”
Plus, if I’m being completely honest, even if Mars was a viable option for everyone, you can still leave me here. Reading in a car going 25 mph flips my stomach inside out. And, the vastness of the unknown is a fear I would rather not face.
But, what would that be like? What if the wealthy abandoned Earth to create a utopia 140 million miles away and left the rest of the world’s population behind? Would they really leave Earth for good? Terraforming is a long game. They would still need resources. Would they use Earth like their new planet’s remote farm and factory? There was so much to consider.
This discussion sparked an idea. Two worlds. Separated by space and socioeconomic classes.
As my family members scattered, I was building the dystopia in my mind: After the Earth is ravaged by climate change, the population decimated, and society reshaped, the wealthy still control the resources, but they’ve drilled for water, built infrastructure, and established a safe haven in luxurious habitat cities on Mars.
The dynamics of the world set up the perfect main characters: two people from different classes and different planets. And what if they were teenagers in this world— still required to manage school, bullies, love, homework, and their impending futures? What if I upped the stakes further and put them on a doomed starliner between their two worlds? There was The Big Idea: YA Titanic-in-space.
Enter Jupiter Dalloway and Weslie Fleet. Jupiter is from Mars. Born at the top of society. The heir to a multi-trillion-dollar company. Unsatisfied with his predetermined future. Weslie’s from Earth. Hardened by a life of struggle and injustice. Full of confidence and armed with the attitude to call out Jupiter’s alarming privilege. Both of them seventeen, on the tailend of adolescence. Two people who learn to appreciate and celebrate each other’s differences despite the backdrop of a complex and oppressive world.
Choosing to write Bound by Stars as a YA novel was a conscious endeavor for me. At that age, you’re near adulthood, but still not fully in control of your own life. There are people who dictate the basics of your day to day, but you’re the one expected to make decisions about your future. High school graduation, college, the rest of your life is just around the bend in the road ahead. You’re shaped by every heartbreak, moment of triumph, cruel word, and act of kindness. And all the emotions inside you are bigger, stronger, more passionate. The future feels open. Possible. Big. Scary.
I love celebrating this multitude for joy, hope, injustice, and even sadness. In my opinion, this is great insight into why we often throw teenager characters into dystopian stories. While sometimes labeled as “overly emotional” or “out of control,” that “too much-ness” of adolescence is human emotion at its absolute fullest capacity. I can’t help but respect someone who can experience heartbreak like a life-ending blow and still care about their friends, show up for band practice, sing their heart out in a theater production, and write that 5-page essay due at the end of the week.
And on top of it all—today’s youth are growing up with a true fear of climate change and developing an understanding of the dangers of unfettered capitalism in real time, while being asked “What do you want to do with your life after high school?”
Of course, the compelling lightbulb of “Titanic-in-space” was fun and romantic: a chance to create parallels to an epic love story in a high-stake situation. But there was a level deeper. Underneath the outrageous opulence of the ship headed for Mars, sharp banter between characters from different worlds, slow-burn romance, and an action-packed, “there aren’t enough lifeboats (or escape pods in this case)” climax, Bound by Stars is a story about relatable, young characters navigating life in bleak future landscape. After all, dystopian novels can reflect the complexities of existing in this stage of life, while—hopefully—offering a bit of hope and inspiration.
Bound By Stars: Amazon|Barnes & Noble|Bookshop
Turn Me on With Your Electric Feel
Jul. 4th, 2025 12:10 amaustin_dern My humor blog has been another week of Robert Benchley and some very slight other stuff. Also a joke based on a thing bunnyhugger has been facing. Want to read all about it? Here we go.
- MiSTed: The 72 Hours Saga, Part 46
- Robert Benchley: Isn’t It Remarkable?
- Statistics Saturday: MacBook Computer Case Colors
- Robert Benchley: Do Dreams Go By Opposites?
- Robert Benchley: My White Suit
- What’s Going On In Gil Thorp? What’s the problem with Clambake? April – June 2025
- Robert Benchley: Wear-Out-A-Shoe Week
- MiSTed: The 72 Hours Saga, Part 47
And now let me share a normal amount of pictures from the Fairy Ball last year.
Swordfighting at the Moon Grove! I don't know if this was merely a demonstration or if it was actually for some prize.
Much like a small convention they set up things like palm-reading booths and some vendor stations.
Some of the many signs made and not yet put up even as the event was under way.
This was a small circle very useful for navigating. The bike stand is on the right, with the Moon Grove below.
bunnyhugger examines the entry arch. Note the Christmas lights --- the fairy lights --- to line the path inside.
bunnyhugger composing an ode to the entryway.
Drum circle that was going on as we went to walk the path through the woods.
There's the drummers on the right; I can't tell what's going on in the background. Hidden behind the trees was a crepes truck, though.
And here's the walkway. Those probably aren't actual ghosts draped up in the woods.
This seems like an unproductive bridge until you remember it's probably a lot of fun to ride a bike over.
Following the fairy lights through the woods here.
And we came out the path near the Moon Grove where, it happens, the wedding ceremony was going on, with the exit right behind, like, everybody. So, we stayed back rather than intrude, and maybe appeared as blurry visions in the background of other people's pictures.
Trivia: Greenland ice core studies indicate that between atmospheric lead levels rose from 0.5 parts per trillion to 2 parts per trillion in the first century AD, reflecting Rome conquering Britain and mining the island's lead. Source: Molecules at an Exhibition: The Science of Everyday Life, John Emsley.
Currently Reading: Empire of the Sum: The Rise and Reign of the Pocket Calculator, Keith Houston.
Shock Me Like an Electric Eel
Jul. 3rd, 2025 12:10 amaustin_dernI regret that certain matters not yet ready to be revealed have kept me from completing the next entry in the Plopsaland portion of our European Vacation report. I hope to get the needed time soon but, meanwhile, please enjoy a double dose of pictures from that Fairy Ball.
Greetings to the fairy court. They were having an actual wedding, as the original plan to have a play wedding grew beyond the original whimsical bounds.
And here the host explains the rules of things and I think also what the mysterious Court of the Fae mounds were. They were obstacles put up for a BMX racing track that these grounds had been.
And that's what the opening looked like, fairy court and honor guards and all.
They had a small horse, too! With everything moving faster than my camera wanted to photograph. Well, a unicorn.
Slightly better picture of the unicorn, who only hung around a couple hours before going back wherever young unicorns go.
Back at the Moon Grove, a kid does tae kwan do demonstrations.
Some more of her moves.
We went back to the car for something or other and this let me get some pictures of the signs and the ad hoc nature of parking; we were lucky to get there early enough there were normal-ish parking spots available.
Note the Enchanted Fae Wedding signs look different each time you look at them!
The proper entrance to the woods. I can't explain the free-standing sink beside it.
This stand, on a hill bove the Moon Grove, was the stand used to launch BMX bikes into the course.
You can almost picture riding a bicycle extremely into the Moon Grove, can't you?
Trivia: In 1923 the United States Navy announced plans to fly the airship Shenandoah to the North Pole. It was cancelled by President Calvin Coolidge, who judged the plan too dangerous. Source: When Giants Ruled The Sky: The Brief Reign and the Tragic Demise of the American Rigid Airship, John J Geoghegan.
Currently Reading: Empire of the Sum: The Rise and Reign of the Pocket Calculator, Keith Houston.
Your Wednesday Watermelon Report
Jul. 2nd, 2025 07:50 pmscalziwhatever_feedWhilst I was perusing the produce section at Kroger last week, I came across a watermelon. Not just any watermelon, though. Private Selection’s “Black Diamond” watermelons. I figured since y’all seemed to enjoy my orange review, you might want the skinny on this here watermelon, as well:
Unlike the Sugar Gem oranges, this watermelon was sweeter than a regular ol’ watermelon. Not only that, but the label boasts a rich, red flesh. I thought it may have been all talk, but lo and behold it was indeed very red! I bought this one for six dollars, which is pretty much the exact same cost as a regular watermelon, and it’s roughly the same size, so I’d say you should go ahead and buy this one over the regular ones if you are someone who prefers a juicier, sweeter watermelon.
I served this watermelon to my parents, both of whom do not particularly care for watermelon, and they made a point of telling me how good this particular watermelon was and ended up eating a good bit of it when normally they probably wouldn’t have opted for any watermelon at all.
With the 4th approaching this weekend, I assume many of y’all will want to pick up a watermelon, and I think if your Kroger has these ones lying around you should give it a try! I’ve been meaning to buy another one because it’s the perfect refreshing snack during this recent heat wave.
It’s nice to try something new and actually have a good experience with it. Those Sugar Gem oranges may have been a bust, but this Black Diamond Watermelon is definitely a winner in my book.
Do you like watermelon? If you don’t, would you be willing to give this one a try based on my parents’ reaction to it? Do you have fun plans for the 4th? Let me know in the comments, and have a great day!
-AMS
BUNNY WABBIT!
Jul. 2nd, 2025 09:06 amthewayneGot home last night about 9pm from a cardiology appointment in Las Cruces (all is fine, annual EKG monitoring me). I pull in to the driveway, then into a path so I can turn around and back in to the carport. I back in so I won't have a problem pulling out if it snows, not that it may ever happen here again.
And when I pulled into the path, something scampered away - BUNNY!
At first I thought it was a cat or raccoon, as those are normal for the area. In my two decades up here, I can't recall having seen any BUNNIES up here, but sure enough it started hopping away! Thus applying my powers of deduction, I concluded it wasn't a kitty or raccoon.
I mentioned it to Russet, and she reported seeing one on the neighbor's property, perhaps we may have a warren in the area. I'm a little surprised as I'd think that coyotes and raccoons would make quick work of one and a population wouldn't be very viable up here on the mountain.
And when I pulled into the path, something scampered away - BUNNY!
At first I thought it was a cat or raccoon, as those are normal for the area. In my two decades up here, I can't recall having seen any BUNNIES up here, but sure enough it started hopping away! Thus applying my powers of deduction, I concluded it wasn't a kitty or raccoon.
I mentioned it to Russet, and she reported seeing one on the neighbor's property, perhaps we may have a warren in the area. I'm a little surprised as I'd think that coyotes and raccoons would make quick work of one and a population wouldn't be very viable up here on the mountain.
Political Rant.....
Jul. 2nd, 2025 08:34 amdisneydream06Don't get me started on Lisa Murkowski, Senator from Alaska.
She has said in the past that she's considering leaving the Republican Party,
but after getting benefits for Alaska written into the Big Bad Horrible Bill,
She voted in favor of the bill slashing Medicaid, SNAP, and multiple other programs meant to help those in need.
She has said in the past that she's considering leaving the Republican Party,
but after getting benefits for Alaska written into the Big Bad Horrible Bill,
She voted in favor of the bill slashing Medicaid, SNAP, and multiple other programs meant to help those in need.
(no subject)
Jul. 2nd, 2025 03:13 amdisneydream06Today it is my special pleasure to send out...
*~*~*~*~*GREAT BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES*~*~*~*~*
To my dear friend,raindropsinmyeyes/hauntedlittleme/translucentfairywings...
I hope that you will find peace, and that you celebrate your special day as you deserve to. ♥
*~*~*~*~*GREAT BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES*~*~*~*~*
To my dear friend,
raindropsinmyeyes/hauntedlittleme/translucentfairywings...I hope that you will find peace, and that you celebrate your special day as you deserve to. ♥
Several hundred different Brother printer models have unpatchable vulnerability
Jul. 1st, 2025 10:23 amthewayneWell.
What's going on is slightly complicated, and not necessarily a big deal, depending. There are eight flaws found in Brother systems, and they all boil down to one fairly serious vulnerability. A flaw was discovered in how Brother generates the default system administrator password based on the serial number of the printer: if the serial number of the printer is known, you can reverse engineer the password. And here's the problem: if you have not changed that password, THEN you are vulnerable to all sorts of potential mischief! And that's where all the other flaws come into play.
Now, if you changed the default password when you installed your printer, then you're fine. Nothing to worry about. Everything's great. If you didn't, then you need to change it ASAP and patch your printer right now!
This flaw also affects 59 printer models from Fujifilm, Toshiba, Ricoh, and Konica Minolta. I'm assuming they use either Brother engines or the same algorithm for generating admin passwords.
The flaw affects 689 printers, the article provides a link with all of the models listed. Since the default password was built into the printer's read-only memory, it can't be patched. Brother is changing the way they generate the password. But again, if you've changed the default password, you're good. The other flaws are patchable, I don't know if patches are out yet but I'm sure they will be available soon if not already.
https://www.theverge.com/news/694877/brother-printers-security-flaw-password-vulnerability
What's going on is slightly complicated, and not necessarily a big deal, depending. There are eight flaws found in Brother systems, and they all boil down to one fairly serious vulnerability. A flaw was discovered in how Brother generates the default system administrator password based on the serial number of the printer: if the serial number of the printer is known, you can reverse engineer the password. And here's the problem: if you have not changed that password, THEN you are vulnerable to all sorts of potential mischief! And that's where all the other flaws come into play.
Now, if you changed the default password when you installed your printer, then you're fine. Nothing to worry about. Everything's great. If you didn't, then you need to change it ASAP and patch your printer right now!
This flaw also affects 59 printer models from Fujifilm, Toshiba, Ricoh, and Konica Minolta. I'm assuming they use either Brother engines or the same algorithm for generating admin passwords.
The flaw affects 689 printers, the article provides a link with all of the models listed. Since the default password was built into the printer's read-only memory, it can't be patched. Brother is changing the way they generate the password. But again, if you've changed the default password, you're good. The other flaws are patchable, I don't know if patches are out yet but I'm sure they will be available soon if not already.
https://www.theverge.com/news/694877/brother-printers-security-flaw-password-vulnerability
The Big Idea: Matthew Kressel
Jul. 1st, 2025 01:50 pmscalziwhatever_feed
Hop on board for author Matthew Kressel’s newest ride through the galaxy, Space Trucker Jess. In this Big Idea as he takes you through not only his writing process for this particular story, but on a journey through a high-concept sci-fi world viewed through the eyes of a teenage girl.
MATTHEW KRESSEL:
I was a feral kid. Both my parents worked full-time jobs, and I’d come home to an empty house. I had no supervision. I went off with friends and we, ahem, did things. Stupid things. Really fucking stupid things. And when I look back on those days I’m like, How the hell did I make it out alive?
But that freedom was glorious. You could do whatever you wanted. Go anywhere. You had the feeling that anything could happen. And it often did. The good and the bad.
That’s the kind of feeling I hope to evoke in Space Trucker Jess. The joy and spontaneity of discovery. In my childhood, we got into trouble all around the neighborhood. In my novel, Jess gets into hijinx across the galaxy.
Like Jess herself, I began the book with a simple premise: Screw the “rules.”
In my past stories and novels, I labored over every paragraph, sentence, word, and punctuation mark until I’d wound myself into a Gordian knot a million words long. In Jess, I felt the need to loosen the bridles, to let my idea run wild, like that feral kid who got into trouble around the neighborhood. What emerged was Jess, a take-no-shit foul-mouthed kick-ass teenaged girl who’s smart as hell, caring and empathetic, who solves problems not with violence but with brains and determination. Though too often for her own good, Jess’s curiosity gets her into trouble. Big trouble.
Think Natasha Lyonne narrating 2001: A Space Odyssey.
There’s lots of high-concept SF, and, yeah, Space Trucker Jess has all the tropes: starships and FTL travel, alien gods, missing planets, galactic secrets. But I wanted to tell the story a different way. Not from an omniscient or a dry and distant third person, but from deep in the point of view of a sensitive and expressive girl who’s journeyed across the Milk and back a thousand times and who knows more about starships than most people know their own nose.
And so you get high philosophy and fart jokes. Orthodox religion and irreverent sacrilege. Weird inscrutable aliens and deadbeat dads. All told from a foul-mouthed over-confident, wicked-smart and sometimes willfully naive girl who just wants, at the end of the day, to be left the hell alone.
Space Trucker Jess is also about identity. I wrote a good chunk of the book during the first Covid lockdowns. Cut off from friends and family, from work and all the many inter-personal relationships I took for granted, I felt my sense of self drifting. Without those external interactions reflecting my identity back to me, I didn’t know who I was anymore. It was very disconcerting.
A lot of that experience makes its way into the book. Jess’s worldview expands enormously throughout the novel, sometimes suddenly and violently, and she is forced to reckon with a new sense of self and a greater awareness.
Also, Space Trucker Jess is about family. Jess loves her deadbeat dad, and she and him have been grifting their way across the galaxy for years. But she knows he’s an asshole, he knows he’s an asshole, but she just can’t let him go. The relationship is, from the start, highly dysfunctional. Jess just wants stability, away from him. But getting away is harder than it sounds. Without getting too personal, I had a lot of turbulence in my childhood home, and I wanted to explore the contrasts between the family we’re born with and the family we choose, and how those dynamics can alter the course of our entire lives, for better or worse.
So if you want to go on a fun adventure alongside a bad-ass genius girl head-firsting her way through the galaxy who’s just looking for some peace in an uncaring universe, while encountering alien gods, missing planets, galactic secrets, and more, well then, Space Trucker Jess might just be your ride.
Space Trucker Jess: Amazon|Barnes & Noble|Bookshop|Powell’s