I have read several short stories in this collection, and am getting a comfortable feeling with Parker. She is sardonically relating her perception of the women of her time. She, ahead of her time, I looking back, both disrespectful of the minds that knew better but were trapped inside a body sworn to uphold the laws of men. Afraid to come out in truth except in fiction. Understanding, yet scornful we can be unless these women knew no better.
Can’t get too settled in with Dorothy, as I’m afraid some of the wrong things may rub off–the language (remember that I started out in writing sounding just like Susie Poe) is too welcome, too easy to pick up on. With luck however, the amazing character revelation through thought and dialogue will be absorbed.
But I’ve offset this danger of entrapment by skimming through and catching up with Suttree. The world of difference in their writing is not only of the era, but of the techniques employed to make each successful in their narratives.
Back to Parker, I’m just into the poetry section and will breeze through fairly quickly as it’s not a place where I need dally long in sing-song (yep, that come’s right back as if it were never unlearned!) reverie.
It would be fun though, I think, to update a story of Parker’s such as The Waltz in contemporary language and scene. Her writing style would still be effective, and I may (as I’ve said I would before–I know!) play with it a bit.
I have also given birth this afternoon to my adventurous couple who are currently pretending to be asleep before their journeys take them to stranger places still than ever found in dreams.
The Lost Children: A Charity Anthology