Review: A well told tale
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 10 24, 2013
Impeccably written, this paranormal and (mildly) erotic novel is at times very dense. Like a tapestry that has more knots per square inch than the average, The Siren's Tale has many threads. But it is clear that the primary one is the "home schooling"--preparation--of a new generation siren (there are not many of them left).The main voice is that of Cassandra Vye who left Wyoming around 1900 for San Francisco and had a "second career" as Nevada Carson, scriptwriter and actress in the silent movies, and by the 1970s has assumed her presence as a ghost. The second participant is Cassie's daughter Chloe, an evolutionary biologist "saving her egg for the most vital sperm" but who unfortunately had a botched abortion and must remain thereafter childless. The next generation is therefore the daughter of a cousin.Throughout, Cassandra peeks, peers and voices her opinion: "I come from a long line of non-conformist women with voracious sexual appetites and gifted with paranormal powers; call us sirens." This tapestry has many such gems woven into its fabric where it jostles with "native biddies" who must suffer the "badinage" of Cassie's dialogue and monologues--internal and external. For example, she declares War to be the jealousy of old men visited on young males.Despite her lustful nature and willful flight to San Francisco, Cassandra's nature takes a turn. Perhaps due to the combined influence of Nicholas (Nick) Brighton and Caleb Scattergood, she learns to appreciate sweetness and devotion in addition to passion. She lashes out against the brutality of slavery and back-lot abortions. (Early 1900s.) A Native American maid in Cassie's household is driven from her reservation but finds refuge in Nick's good works.This thread contributes, alas, to the languors of the novel: Nick's preaching and tracts, the school for Native Americans, the Scattergood Accountancy Trust for Foundlings, the REITs and battles against development interests, the amalgamation of post-modern architecture with psychology, better child-rearing and how to improve memory.For sirens have this over humans; they have eidetic memories and perfect recall. So why, we wonder, does Cassie feel compelled to watch the "Tour of Market Street," six times, to seek an image of Nick who was in San Francisco during the great earthquake and fire, catastrophes she escaped because of a short term "loan" to International Studios in Hollywood?But withal, the author writes for "women trying to navigate the hook-up culture with the Bible in one hand and Fifty Shades of Grey in the other." And for the men who wish to understand them.Disclosure: I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.