Review: Sensual and satisfying
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 04 8, 2014
I received a review copy of this book via Goodreads' Don't buy My Love program.This short novelette is set in the 1700's on Isla Sagrario, a small Caribbean island where homosexual men live openly.Francis is man of unknown age, though I guessed it to be mid-late 20's. He was sold as an indentured serpent, as an escape from his family's poverty, but his master was a brutal man and a sexual sadist who enjoyed brutalizing Francis. Francis did escape to Sagrario where he is not in danger, but he is scarred and socially awkward and terminally lonely. With his scars he is not an attractive mate, so he accepts what sparse sexual favors he can get with no hope of commitment, though he aches for a constant lover.Francis works hard on the island and has some friends, but no real companions. While recovering debris washed ashore he discovers an unconscious merman. Francis carries him home and sets him in a tub of water. When the merman awakens, it is to the compassionate care of Francis. Unwilling to let his neighbors know of his extraordinary guest, Francis brings fish from the ocean for the merman to eat and keeps him company until nightfall. Their brief time together only serves to highlight how very lonely Francis' life is. They attempt some rudimentary language exchange, enough for Francis to learn his guest's name is Wick. Late in the night, Francis returns Wick to the ocean. There Wick gives Francis the lightest of kisses.Forlorn without even the barest of loving contact, Francis works himself ill for weeks until he can bring himself to face the ocean. And there is Wick, waiting for him. They begin a physical relationship, over the course of a month, that is mutually satisfying, for a while. One night Wick seems despondent. His mood belies the end of their relationship, as Francis has known it--but what happens next surpasses all of Francis' dreams.This is a quick read, a short, but well-written character piece that gives the reader a bit of the magical while also exploring themes of prejudice and unconditional love. It's a neat little story that made me finally wonder: How do the merfolk get it on? And, then it answered that question. I enjoyed it. A touch of sensuality, and a lot of love.