Thank you for the books!

Apparently book donations have been pouring in. Mr. Nartey has sent me this letter to pass on.

If anyone would like a tax write-off form, email me and I'll forward one to you.


Dear Donor,

On behalf of Lifeline Education Charter School, I would like to thank you for your generous donation of proving reading books for the school. Your contribution makes it possible for us to set up a library for our students.

This year the school is eager to raise enough books to set up a library which will help in the reading and writing program that will be implemented. This is only possible because of thoughtful contributions from people like you.

Currently, we are looking at getting shelves for the library and we are asking parents to help with that contribution. We desire to get the library and our reading/writing club to begin by the end of next month. We hope for your continued support in the future.

Please keep this written acknowledgement of your donation for your tax records.

Once again, thank you for your generous donation.

Sincerely,

Mr. Obed Nartey
Campus Administrator
Lifeline Education Charter School

A Strong and Sudden Thaw, by R. W. Day

After the apocalypse, persecuted gay lovers fight homophobia and dragons!

The mysterious sudden climate change called the Ice descended about eighty years prior to the beginning of this book. 17-year-old David's 100-year-old grandmother barely remembers what things were like before; the government is still hanging on and handing out precious seed wheat; the culture is reminiscent of the Old West but the social mores are reminiscent of the 1950s, due to a resurgence in religious and social conservatism immediately post-Ice.

The best things about this novel were the atmosphere and the voice. (This is the third book in a row I've reviewed with that note, isn't it?) The cold is palpable, David's voice is likable and unique, and the small town and its culture are very well-imagined: Little Town on the Prairie after the apocalypse.

The first third or half of the novel, in which David slowly introduces us to his world, is very strong. A young new healer, Callan, shows up to help the old one. In David's eyes, Callan is hot, sophisticated, bringing a whole new world of intelligence and culture in the form of precious books, and hot. I am a total sucker for the "what are these strange feelings?" trope, and David's awakening sexuality is sensitively depicted.

Problems set in at about the one-third mark, and the same one continues all the way through: amazingly stupid decisions. In a world in which doors have latches and homosexuality is punishable by death, I find it mind-boggling that the town healer, who commonly has people suddenly rushing into his office due to medical emergencies, would get a blow-job in his office without latching his door first. I also find it boggling that a townsperson would give him one under those circumstances. Sure enough, someone walks in, and both are immediately jailed.

This sort of thing is especially annoying because other aspects of the book continue to be very good. I'd be lulled along by the sweet romance and well-done scenes of post-apocalyptic life, and then wham! Astounding stupidity!

Also, the last half-to-third borders on grimdark. Warning for child harm. Major spoilers below.

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A Strong and Sudden Thaw

There is a sequel, but Goodreads reviews suggest that it's excruciatingly depressing. I think I'll give it a miss. But I did enjoy the first book, albeit with caveats, and it has a satisfying ending.