Seconding, in very different ways, both Acker and Felker-Martin. Read Acker if you want to see language pushed to its limits in order to express the full depth of misogyny and read Manhunt for a fun romp in a world where transmisogyny has survived the apocalypse.
There are a few places where the prose is a bit rougher than it needs to be (she needs to stop describing hair as "pin-straight" for instance), but otherwise a fresh, and incisive take on an otherwise tired genre. I really love the characters first and foremost. All of them are so fully realized and hurt each other in ways that stem from their own history and psychology. And the way the setting allows the true villain of the work to essentially be cisness at its most nakedly oppressive is brilliant stroke. She's also quite good at writing sex, which can't be underestimated. Really just an all around great book.
I actually just saw her in person touring for Cuckoo which, if you haven't read it yet, is another banger
I absolutely hated it to death the first time I tried, (guess why) but I've come around to it a lot after banging my head against it. I dig that it's pointedly about assimilationism. I would not have taken away that Martin is good at writing sex tho, woes of being ace ig
Lmao you fuckin SAW HER IRL??? That's awesome no fuckin way. I've been watching Cuckoo a few months, it's on my to-read list very soon!
Blood and Guts in High School by Kathy Acker
Tampa by Alissa Nutting
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
The Last September by Elizabeth Bowen
Most of Virginia Woolf's books
Manhunt by Gretchen Felker-Martin
Seconding, in very different ways, both Acker and Felker-Martin. Read Acker if you want to see language pushed to its limits in order to express the full depth of misogyny and read Manhunt for a fun romp in a world where transmisogyny has survived the apocalypse.
QUICK TELL ME YOUR THOUGHTS ON MANHUNT, PLEASE
There are a few places where the prose is a bit rougher than it needs to be (she needs to stop describing hair as "pin-straight" for instance), but otherwise a fresh, and incisive take on an otherwise tired genre. I really love the characters first and foremost. All of them are so fully realized and hurt each other in ways that stem from their own history and psychology. And the way the setting allows the true villain of the work to essentially be cisness at its most nakedly oppressive is brilliant stroke. She's also quite good at writing sex, which can't be underestimated. Really just an all around great book.
I actually just saw her in person touring for Cuckoo which, if you haven't read it yet, is another banger
I absolutely hated it to death the first time I tried, (guess why) but I've come around to it a lot after banging my head against it. I dig that it's pointedly about assimilationism. I would not have taken away that Martin is good at writing sex tho,
woes of being ace ig
Lmao you fuckin SAW HER IRL??? That's awesome no fuckin way. I've been watching Cuckoo a few months, it's on my to-read list very soon!
Just your friendly neighborhood book nerd
Yeah ok but I have never met anyone who's read Manhunt before, how'd that happen?
You need to know more cool people!
my comrade in christ
I can still count on one hand the amount of times I've even personally witnessed another human who has read one of these. Where do they live and vibe?
Honestly I wish I knew
But if you're ever in NYC we can grab a coffee or something!
Alas, passportless
I hear you