The author of ODALISQUE has been kind enough to send me a CD of the whole novel. He started writing this novel in the nineteen-eighties. Recently completed (June 2008).
I hope to read this novel chapter by chapter on a weekly basis - and record some thoughts below. There are 50 chapters plus epilogue.
PLEASE POST YOUR OWN COMMENTS BELOW, USING JUST YOUR NAME AND TYPING OUT THE VERIFICATION CODE FROM THE BOX. IF THE CODE IS DIFFICULT TO READ, YOU CAN CLICK ON THE BOX TO REFRESH IT.
The author is happy for me to send to you a word-document of each chapter at any time, at your request. My address is bfitzworth@yahoo.co.uk
I am a long-term epistolary friend of the author (handwritten letters from 1967 on a rough weekly basis).
I believe in ODALISQUE as a great fantasy/horror novel (spiritual, grotesque and humorous), but I am still in the personal throes of grappling with its strangely powerful (for me, almost alien) ethos -- greatly assisted by its beautifully silky style of expression.
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My previous chapter comments (up to chapter 28) on an earlier version of ODALISQUE (namely OF BONDLINGS & BLESH) may also be of interest here: http://newdfl.bloghorn.com/205 These should give a good flavour of the actual plot of the novel's first half.
Recommended additional reading: PFJ's GOLDEN GODDESS AND BLOODY TIMES: http://bondlings.blogspot.com/2006/05/golden-goddess-and-bloody-times-part-1.html
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Odalisque
Being the memoirs of Tuerqui
The Founder’s Concubine
Usurper’s Daughter from the Blood Victoria
Transcribed by P F Jeffery
Edited with reference to the original manuscripts and annotated by Jennifer Petrie, senior archivist at the University of Pain
Is the existence of a rock preferable to that of a candle flame? My feeling is that truly living is better than merely existing – however brief its span. Rather a single night as my mistress’ odalisque than a long life free from trouble.
– from a memorandum book in Tuerqui’s hand
Chapter 1
Well this is the business. It really flows sweetly about sexual, grotesque, spiritual and dynastic matters - as if it were meant to be!
Please ask for attachment of this one chapter if you want to check it out. And then see if you can resist the rest!
TWO SNIPPETS
“I’ve heard people mention it, mummy, and know that Surrey folk do very bad things.”
“The Third Battle of Lundin was bloody hundreds of years ago,” Jenna remarked. "If the ghosts haven’t got over it by now, they need to get a life… Or get a death!”
TYPO:
and we we’d be carried off as slaves.
CHAPTER COMMENT LINKS: http://weirdmonger.blogspot.com/2008/06/odalisque.html
