Although she’s not based off an individual woman, I was inspired by Social Justice Warriors and revolutionaries who burn buildings down. One of the characters is clearly evil and sinister. Last year, I began my second novel (which I’ve nearly finished). This is because the author does not prioritise the craft when the mission is tearing someone, or something, down. These technical elements are easily ignored when an author’s priority is revenge. A reader cares about characters, tension, prose, worldbuilding, language, pacing and theme. Although both enjoy a strong connection, it is arrogant for a writer to presume a reader is interested in their rants. There’s a difference between a reader and an author. For one, the reader does not care about an author’s life or situation when reading fiction. Sarcasm aside, there are many issues when a writer opts for revenge. This novel has already earned controversy due to the brutal death of a character named ‘J.K Rowling.’ From this, we can establish this writer as classy and elegant the Proust of our times. A clear and unfortunate example comes from the recent Manhunt, a horror novel from Gretchen Felker-Martin.

Although I firmly believe in artistic freedom, it makes for poor literature when writers use storytelling for personal grudges. Manhunt by Gretchen Felker-Martin, c.2022, Macmillan Nightfire, $17.Revenge is the worst reason to write. In this case, she was right: this truly is a keeps-you-up-all-night story with streaks of modern-day. This book has the feel of a video game your mother wouldn’t let you have because it might give you nightmares. Some tolerance for plot-holes is also needed for full enjoyment author Gretchen Felker-Martin leaves readers with a few big WHY?s hanging over her smoking Armageddon, and while they’re mostly forgivable, they may still nag. What this book is, though, is for someone with a deep, affectionate fondness for all of the above plus pockets of plot-brilliance, dark humor in a blow-them-all-to-pieces vein, buckets of blood and gore, moments that might make you urp a little, and monsters that live among us.

Don’t hand it off to anyone who can’t tolerate feminism or a happily-never-after. It’s not for anyone who can’t stand gruesomeness, or who hates having their heart sieze due to explicit sex, surprises, cringey scenes, or jumpy scares.

You can take this as a siren, add fireworks: Manhunt is not a novel for everyone. Though he was still menstruating, a trans man was a man.Īnd to the TERFs, a man, any kind of male no matter what, had to die. He had supplies and was self-sufficient, as long as the TERFs - cisgender women who’d created a fierce army - didn’t catch him. Robbie always felt that he was better off on his own.

Manhunt gretchen felker martin