A review by writer_matt
A Density of Souls by Christopher Rice
4.0
I decided to read a Christopher Rice novel on a whim, primarily motivated by his social media antics after not receiving a Stroker award for his latest novel - The Heavens Rise. My initial instinct was to read the novel that came close to winning this award, but then didn't, but - being who I am - I decided to read his first novel instead.
Rice has been on my radar for a while and, considering how much LGBT literature I consume and have studied over the years, it was a surprise that I had not picked him up until now. Being familiar with the work of his mother I honestly had no idea what to expect. And perhaps, it was the fact that I went into this novel with few expectations that allowed me to be as pleasantly surprised as I was. There are certainly things to quibble over in this novel - typos, grammar issues and the like, but I fear the blame for these must fall to the editor for not catching them or for not seeing the book as important enough to correct before final proofs. But as a whole the novel wowed me with its fantastic story telling and characters and twists throughout.
The novel achieves a dark and gloomy feel to it - much like the houses of the Garden District the story takes place in, and that tone or setting is an excellent match for the events and mindset of his characters. I do not think there is a single character that is untouched by darkness throughout the novel and that fact seems perfectly aligned with the tone of the story.
I read somewhere that Rice's early novels are akin to dramatic soap operas, and that is exactly what I thought of as I read Density of Souls. The fact that televised soap operas are mentioned throughout did not escape my notice - Rice understands that he is writing an over the top drama here, filled with larger than life characters that wear their trauma etched (at times quite literally) onto their skin. And he is perfectly okay with that.
And I too, as a read, was perfectly happy with it.
My first taste of Christopher Rice left me thirsty for more. I look forward to seeing what else awaits me.
Rice has been on my radar for a while and, considering how much LGBT literature I consume and have studied over the years, it was a surprise that I had not picked him up until now. Being familiar with the work of his mother I honestly had no idea what to expect. And perhaps, it was the fact that I went into this novel with few expectations that allowed me to be as pleasantly surprised as I was. There are certainly things to quibble over in this novel - typos, grammar issues and the like, but I fear the blame for these must fall to the editor for not catching them or for not seeing the book as important enough to correct before final proofs. But as a whole the novel wowed me with its fantastic story telling and characters and twists throughout.
The novel achieves a dark and gloomy feel to it - much like the houses of the Garden District the story takes place in, and that tone or setting is an excellent match for the events and mindset of his characters. I do not think there is a single character that is untouched by darkness throughout the novel and that fact seems perfectly aligned with the tone of the story.
I read somewhere that Rice's early novels are akin to dramatic soap operas, and that is exactly what I thought of as I read Density of Souls. The fact that televised soap operas are mentioned throughout did not escape my notice - Rice understands that he is writing an over the top drama here, filled with larger than life characters that wear their trauma etched (at times quite literally) onto their skin. And he is perfectly okay with that.
And I too, as a read, was perfectly happy with it.
My first taste of Christopher Rice left me thirsty for more. I look forward to seeing what else awaits me.