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A review by 11corvus11
The Deluge by Stephen Markley
2.0
The hype did not match the quality. Probably 3 stars rounded down since it has such undeserved high ratings.
Thoughts:
Cons-
This book has more antifat hatred than a 70s fad diet book. I've seriously never encountered a book with this much obsession over body fat and how gross the author thinks fat people are. Legit wonder if he's dealing with food/disordered issues in his personal life.
The way women, especially women of color, are treated in this book is not great and at times fetishy. Not the worst. But very run of the mill #menwritingwomen.
If it weren't for the full cast, I would not know the difference between any of the characters because they are all written the same way. This is a tough thing to do so no hate, needs more practice.
The overarching message despite the author writing from multiple viewpoints has the worst parts of liberal (center right wing) ideology without most of the parts worth saving.
For how pessimistic and bleak it is, it's ridiculously optimistic about how long we've got until ecological collapse (continues)
The bait and switch with a far left environmental org that's slightly believable and sympathetic turned "both sides"y at the end was straight up insulting. Eco activists have been labeled terrorists higher than white supremacists despite no violence against humans or other animals bodies. For how much this book talks shit on Trump it sure does like to use his talking points against leftists (like many liberals when you really get down to it.) Good job adding to the feds scare mongering in order to better protect the industries leading to the collapse you're trying to portray in this book.
Why is this SO POINTLESSLY LONG and why did I sit through it? If it had not been an audiobook that I could have on in the background I never would have made it through. There were so many times I thought, "ah it's finally over," only to look at the time stamp and see there were 14 hours left.
Why did everyone love this so much? Is it because Stephen King did? I asked myself why he recommended it then remembered the last book I tried of his where he told me in detail about the breasts of every female in it including children so I see why Markley is his style as he treats women similarly, women of color even worse.
Could have done without the multiple earth r*pe analogies.
Pros-
This actually could have been a tolerable book with an editor cutting out the insulting stuff and making it about 1/3 as long.
Though the road to hell is paved with them, I do think the author has good intentions.
The sense of climate urgency and an honest attempt to convey that is admirable.
Now that I've finished this and ministry for the future I can read Dean Spade's piece which did not require this effort but I wanted to form my own opinions first. I should have just read without bothering with this book.
Thoughts:
Cons-
This book has more antifat hatred than a 70s fad diet book. I've seriously never encountered a book with this much obsession over body fat and how gross the author thinks fat people are. Legit wonder if he's dealing with food/disordered issues in his personal life.
The way women, especially women of color, are treated in this book is not great and at times fetishy. Not the worst. But very run of the mill #menwritingwomen.
If it weren't for the full cast, I would not know the difference between any of the characters because they are all written the same way. This is a tough thing to do so no hate, needs more practice.
The overarching message despite the author writing from multiple viewpoints has the worst parts of liberal (center right wing) ideology without most of the parts worth saving.
For how pessimistic and bleak it is, it's ridiculously optimistic about how long we've got until ecological collapse (continues)
The bait and switch with a far left environmental org that's slightly believable and sympathetic turned "both sides"y at the end was straight up insulting. Eco activists have been labeled terrorists higher than white supremacists despite no violence against humans or other animals bodies. For how much this book talks shit on Trump it sure does like to use his talking points against leftists (like many liberals when you really get down to it.) Good job adding to the feds scare mongering in order to better protect the industries leading to the collapse you're trying to portray in this book.
Why is this SO POINTLESSLY LONG and why did I sit through it? If it had not been an audiobook that I could have on in the background I never would have made it through. There were so many times I thought, "ah it's finally over," only to look at the time stamp and see there were 14 hours left.
Why did everyone love this so much? Is it because Stephen King did? I asked myself why he recommended it then remembered the last book I tried of his where he told me in detail about the breasts of every female in it including children so I see why Markley is his style as he treats women similarly, women of color even worse.
Could have done without the multiple earth r*pe analogies.
Pros-
This actually could have been a tolerable book with an editor cutting out the insulting stuff and making it about 1/3 as long.
Though the road to hell is paved with them, I do think the author has good intentions.
The sense of climate urgency and an honest attempt to convey that is admirable.
Now that I've finished this and ministry for the future I can read Dean Spade's piece which did not require this effort but I wanted to form my own opinions first. I should have just read without bothering with this book.