adambwriter's review against another edition
4.0
Krakow Melt by Daniel Allen Cox
Final Verdict: 3.5 out of 4.0
YTD: 55
Plot/Story:
4 – Plot/Story is interesting/believable and impactful.
Krakow Melt is a bizarre rendering of the tension over the Gay Rights movement in Poland, 2005. This movement was one of the branches of the Solidarnosc which helped to bring down the Berlin Wall in 1989. The main character, Radek, is a homosexual artist with a particular connection with the power and seduction of fire. He has an affair with a woman, which is little based of sexual attraction (from either Radek or Dorota), but largely based on the desire for complete freedom, which is expressed through subversion of the “norms.” Since Radek is a gay man, the most subversive act he can enact is to become sexually involved with a woman. They both have a mutual appreciation for the regenerative powers of fire, as well – their stance is that the most courageous artists are the ones who create art which will be intentionally destroyed. In the end, Dorota turns out to be the truly courageous one, outlasting and out fighting Radek, with a cry of “he’s not afraid to have sex with me [a woman] so why would he be afraid of you [to the queer-hating thugs]” she seals Radek’s fate, without his consent. The depictions of the gay parade, where both the crowds and the police (who Radek describes as his heroes) turn on them – throwing feces, clubs, fists, and other detritus at the gay freedom marches, whose “war cry” is simply: do not be afraid of us. Also, the interwoven political realities and the impact that the death of Poland’s native Pope has on the people allows for a great sense of social import to the period, and gives the reader multiple insights into the happenings of this eastern European nation of which many readers may not be aware (this reader certainly learned a few things).
Read the full review at: http://www.roofbeamreader.net
Final Verdict: 3.5 out of 4.0
YTD: 55
Plot/Story:
4 – Plot/Story is interesting/believable and impactful.
Krakow Melt is a bizarre rendering of the tension over the Gay Rights movement in Poland, 2005. This movement was one of the branches of the Solidarnosc which helped to bring down the Berlin Wall in 1989. The main character, Radek, is a homosexual artist with a particular connection with the power and seduction of fire. He has an affair with a woman, which is little based of sexual attraction (from either Radek or Dorota), but largely based on the desire for complete freedom, which is expressed through subversion of the “norms.” Since Radek is a gay man, the most subversive act he can enact is to become sexually involved with a woman. They both have a mutual appreciation for the regenerative powers of fire, as well – their stance is that the most courageous artists are the ones who create art which will be intentionally destroyed. In the end, Dorota turns out to be the truly courageous one, outlasting and out fighting Radek, with a cry of “he’s not afraid to have sex with me [a woman] so why would he be afraid of you [to the queer-hating thugs]” she seals Radek’s fate, without his consent. The depictions of the gay parade, where both the crowds and the police (who Radek describes as his heroes) turn on them – throwing feces, clubs, fists, and other detritus at the gay freedom marches, whose “war cry” is simply: do not be afraid of us. Also, the interwoven political realities and the impact that the death of Poland’s native Pope has on the people allows for a great sense of social import to the period, and gives the reader multiple insights into the happenings of this eastern European nation of which many readers may not be aware (this reader certainly learned a few things).
Read the full review at: http://www.roofbeamreader.net
audaciaray's review against another edition
4.0
Dark and beautiful, in a way that makes the bile rise.
mobilisinmobili's review against another edition
4.0
Fantastic short novel by Daniel Allex Cox. Makes me want to go pyro.
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