|
Return To the Celestial Review (This does NOT open a new window) Return To the Index (This does NOT open a new window) Note, to make reading multi-part stories easier, story links (links with dejanews.com or www.qz.to, NOT the review or profile links) will open up a new browser window. When you are done reading the story, or section of the story simply CLOSE the story window. |
|
"The Navy Way" by Spoonbender (war and sex). Nick: 10, 10, 10
"The Navy Way" by Spoonbender (Theodore@Spoonbender.demon.co.uk). Review by Nick (Nick@cassandra.demon.co.uk) I thought this was a really good read. The scenario was a well drawn, set in some future time when Britain goes to war with Libya over the shooting down of a 737 by Gadhaffi's mob. The destroyer HMS Leopard forms part of a task force sent, Falklands style, to exact British revenge on the wrongdoers. On board this ship is one Midshipman (not Midshipwoman) Lucy Anstruthers who, it turns out, is the sole survivor when a sea-skimming missile blows Leopard out of the water. Here, a little unfortunately, I was reminded of one of our comedians, Kenny Everett (now deceased), who used to do a caricature of a Hollywood starlet of dubious talent describing her latest film - always ending with the words "And all my clothes fell off!" Yes, sadly the explosion that sinks Leopard also blows poor Lucy's clothes off! She is, of course, captured by the Libyans who torture and rape her, turning her from noble warrior to whore, before she is rescued by our victorious task force. For me the main criticism of the story is that not enough is made of the character of Lucy. Little attempt is made to get inside her head. We know who she is and her background, but we are not to know much about how she as a character takes the ordeal that is imposed on her (apart of course from the fear and pain that anyone would experience in this situation). The main emphasis of this story is the war rather than Lucy's ordeal. Therefore if you don't like rape stories but do like war stories you may enjoy this one. If you are the reverse (like rape, but hate war) then you may find it a little tame. My ratings (excuse the pun!) are: Technique 9 Plot/character 8 Appeal 9 Celestial standards dictate: Athena (Technique): 10 Venus (Plot/character) 10 Appeal 10 |