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A review by thecaseofbooks
The Gilda Stories: The immortal cult classic by Jewelle L. Gómez
4.0
I read an eARC of this book so thank you to Net Galley, the author and the publisher for allowing this.
The Gilda Stories was a really interesting take on vampire literature, in so many ways it felt very familiar. The atmosphere, the themes of death and hunger, outliving mortals and loss. And yet, Gilda’s experience felt quite unique. Gilda still has to deal with racism and prejudice even with the power that comes from her vampirism. The author described this as feminist, lesbian vampire fiction and this again creates a vampire narrative that feels really unique. The power of female relationships is so prominent throughout this book. I found it notable how kind vampires are in this novel. They rarely kill, they don’t cause suffering. Their power is to give their prey sweet thoughts as they feed, thus creating ‘sharing’ rather than just consuming. It felt that the female dominant narrative created this kindness. With older vampires teaching the fledglings how to use their powers responsibly.
I found the start and the end of this novel thrilling, though it did feel a little slow at points in the middle. The novel takes place in time jumps with Gilda in a new place and decade. She must move around less the local mortals become suspicious of her lack of aging. Gilda picks up new skills and jobs in each decade and her independence grows as she lives through the decades.
This was an unusual read and one I was left thinking about long after I’d finished it. It satisfied a love of vampire fiction that began with Dracula and Anne Rice two decades ago, whilst also feeling new. I enjoyed the kinder, less violent vampire tale that still felt dangerous and romantic without becoming too detached from reality.
The Gilda Stories was a really interesting take on vampire literature, in so many ways it felt very familiar. The atmosphere, the themes of death and hunger, outliving mortals and loss. And yet, Gilda’s experience felt quite unique. Gilda still has to deal with racism and prejudice even with the power that comes from her vampirism. The author described this as feminist, lesbian vampire fiction and this again creates a vampire narrative that feels really unique. The power of female relationships is so prominent throughout this book. I found it notable how kind vampires are in this novel. They rarely kill, they don’t cause suffering. Their power is to give their prey sweet thoughts as they feed, thus creating ‘sharing’ rather than just consuming. It felt that the female dominant narrative created this kindness. With older vampires teaching the fledglings how to use their powers responsibly.
I found the start and the end of this novel thrilling, though it did feel a little slow at points in the middle. The novel takes place in time jumps with Gilda in a new place and decade. She must move around less the local mortals become suspicious of her lack of aging. Gilda picks up new skills and jobs in each decade and her independence grows as she lives through the decades.
This was an unusual read and one I was left thinking about long after I’d finished it. It satisfied a love of vampire fiction that began with Dracula and Anne Rice two decades ago, whilst also feeling new. I enjoyed the kinder, less violent vampire tale that still felt dangerous and romantic without becoming too detached from reality.