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A review by poucks_books
The Woods All Black by Lee Mandelo
challenging
dark
informative
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Finished reading:
The Woods All Black by Lee Mandelo
__________
On the stream bank crouched the beast that stalked the night, it's eyes only for Leslie even as wealth of other prey scattered. None of those congregants had paused, either to rescue their fellows or to stand and fight; they fled at the sight alone.
__________
ββββ,75/5
π³οΈββ§οΈπ§π»ββοΈπ§π»βπΌππ π»π π»ββοΈπ π»ββοΈπ²π²πΉ
Pages: 150
Genre: Historical, horror, LGBTQIA+
LGBTQIA+ rep: trans man, Achillean, questioning, queer
__________
This Novella was EXACTLY what I needed after hitting a reading slump for a while. Even though I scored most books pretty high, none really hit the spot for me that quenched my thirst for exactly what I wanted. This Novella did!
We follow a transman nurse right after World War I named Leslie. He is working for FNS (Frontier Nursing Service) who provide healthcare in small, struggling villages and this time he is assigned to help Spar Creek, in Appalachia.
However, upon arrival, it is very clear, he is not welcomed. Not for his services, but mostly not because of his looks and the way he is dressed. The village is very concervative and in this time, they did not understand why a woman would wear pants and boots instead of skirts and dresses.
Leslie is trying his best to earn the trust of the townspeople, so that he can achieve his goal. Vaccinate the people, help young mothers bear and deliver their babies and help in other ways possible. However, he soon notices it isn't going to be an easy task, definitely not, because the pastor of the village is set on accusing Leslie of foul intents, and disturbing the troubled mind of one of their own, Stevie (who is also transgender). After a while, it also seems that not only the village wants him out, but the woods feel hostile as well, and something stalks him and keeps him awake at night.
What makes this Novella stand out to me, is the time the story is set in and what that meant for trans people. It was so obvious it was not a thing back then people could understand or wanted to understand. It was such an unique story, with horror, a sweet queer story and also a quest for revenge.
The Woods All Black by Lee Mandelo
__________
On the stream bank crouched the beast that stalked the night, it's eyes only for Leslie even as wealth of other prey scattered. None of those congregants had paused, either to rescue their fellows or to stand and fight; they fled at the sight alone.
__________
ββββ,75/5
π³οΈββ§οΈπ§π»ββοΈπ§π»βπΌππ π»π π»ββοΈπ π»ββοΈπ²π²πΉ
Pages: 150
Genre: Historical, horror, LGBTQIA+
LGBTQIA+ rep: trans man, Achillean, questioning, queer
__________
This Novella was EXACTLY what I needed after hitting a reading slump for a while. Even though I scored most books pretty high, none really hit the spot for me that quenched my thirst for exactly what I wanted. This Novella did!
We follow a transman nurse right after World War I named Leslie. He is working for FNS (Frontier Nursing Service) who provide healthcare in small, struggling villages and this time he is assigned to help Spar Creek, in Appalachia.
However, upon arrival, it is very clear, he is not welcomed. Not for his services, but mostly not because of his looks and the way he is dressed. The village is very concervative and in this time, they did not understand why a woman would wear pants and boots instead of skirts and dresses.
Leslie is trying his best to earn the trust of the townspeople, so that he can achieve his goal. Vaccinate the people, help young mothers bear and deliver their babies and help in other ways possible. However, he soon notices it isn't going to be an easy task, definitely not, because the pastor of the village is set on accusing Leslie of foul intents, and disturbing the troubled mind of one of their own, Stevie (who is also transgender). After a while, it also seems that not only the village wants him out, but the woods feel hostile as well, and something stalks him and keeps him awake at night.
What makes this Novella stand out to me, is the time the story is set in and what that meant for trans people. It was so obvious it was not a thing back then people could understand or wanted to understand. It was such an unique story, with horror, a sweet queer story and also a quest for revenge.