How to be Eaten
It’s not the blues, nor a winter doldrums kind of event, just a late night set of thoughts wherein my mind casts back, way back, and I keep thinking about books that are all long gone. I can recall a snippet of a title, or a series of titles, and the rest of the memory fades. Books bought new, then eventually loaned out, given away, lost in the great flood of ’94, something, I’m not sure.
“Borrowers of books are frequently crooks.”
I have an on again then off again love for older pulp classics, mostly from the Science Fiction genre, but the comedic material briefly delved into the sword and sorcery branch of fantasy. More as an escape rather than as an interest in the genre itself. The pulp-like satire was more amusing because the tropes were skewered — on a barbarian’s sword?
How to be Eaten was suggested by the digital library’s algorithm — which has been hit or miss with me — more “read the first few chapters” then get bored, upset, anxious, or can easily see where this is all going. Move onto the next one.
The précis included something, I thought, about characters from fairy tales. Close enough, seen old tales and ancient myths updated, gave the book a spin. That’s always been an interesting point for me, old tales, updated.
How to be Eaten
“It’s not like there’s a trial,” says Ruby, “except the trial of public opinion, which actually seems pretty immune to evidence.” Page 88.
True.
It’s a tale told from different, interwoven narrative threads. Characters.
“You can’t change the past, but it’s infinitely reframeable.” Page 217.
Yeah can’t change what’s passed, but build a better frame?
Evocative use of the myth and magic, the grim side of the fairy tales themselves. Narrative thread — format such as it was — rather clever.
Partially, call it “magical realism.” Good as any other title.
Have to wonder, how much is myth and how much is what we tell ourselves, over and over.
How to be Eaten
