Review: Universal themes
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 25, 2013
I agree that this book is thoroughly riveting, but I strongly disagree that it's about coming to terms with gender identity.  There is a strong theme of sacrifice and redemption here just to give it universal appeal.  Then just to top it off, Ms Bishop throws in a theme of submission and obedience that is more subtle.  It insinuates itself into the reader's mind and enhances the story clandestinely.Danny lets his blowhard salesman father bully him into dumping a girl he truly cares for and dramatically altering her life.  His guilt forces him to accept a year of servitude to forces which are feminine in nature, knowing up front that they will feminize him to a greater or lesser degree.Danny is "sacrificing his manhood" every bit as much as he is serving off a debt.  He is willingly giving up his own future in order to provide a better life for the girl he wronged.  As he progresses through the year of servitude he discovers that he hasn't sacrificed as much as he thought and that the servitude isn't as onerous as he expected.But it's the very last chapter that provides the twist that will make the reader suddenly see the entire book in a different light.Incredibly well plotted and delightfully executed, Ms Bishop deserves some kind of kudos for this one.  Highly recommended.