Page 43 - Reader's HouseMagazine - Issue 62

NOVEL • STORY • LITERATURE
THE PLAGUE DOCTOR
by James Morehead
A spellbinding portrait of Margaret Fuller—Carol Strickland vividly illuminates her brilliance, audacity, and the timeless relevance of her story.
The Plague Doctor (in three acts) by James More- head is a richly layered and immersive poetry collec- tion that lingers long after the final page. Blending verse with visual art, the book becomes more than a reading experience—it is a dialogue between lan- guage, image, and emotion.
Morehead’s poetry is strikingly vivid, driven by an acute ekphrastic sensibility that transforms every- day observations into moments of quiet revelation. Whether reflecting on fleeting friendships, artistic inspiration, or the passage of time, his voice remains both intimate and expansive. The collection’s struc- ture in three acts gives it a subtle narrative arc, al- lowing readers to move through shifting emotional landscapes while maintaining thematic cohesion.
What sets this work apart is its seamless integration of artistic mediums. The ink drawings, photography, and collaborative artwork do not merely accompa- ny the poems; they deepen and refract them. This interplay creates a dynamic reading rhythm, where meaning evolves with each return—something noted by contributors in the foreword and echoed through the experience itself.
There is also a musicality to Morehead’s language that enhances the reading experience. His lines car- ry a natural cadence, at times meditative, at others playfully energetic. This tonal variation ensures the collection never feels static.
At its core, The Plague Doctor is a meditation on perception—how we see, feel, and remember. It in- vites multiple readings, each uncovering new nuanc- es. Thoughtful, inventive, and emotionally resonant, it stands as a compelling contribution to contempo- rary poetry.
ASK ME NO QUESTIONS
by Marina Buddos
This poignant, insightful novel offers a moving portrayal of resilience, identity, and belonging, making it an essential and affecting read.
Marina Budhos’s Ask Me No Questions is a quietly powerful novel that captures the fragile realities of immigrant life in post-9/11 America. Told through the voice of fourteen-year-old Nadira, the story un- folds with a restrained emotional depth that makes its impact all the more profound. Budhos avoids melodrama, instead allowing the weight of events to emerge through Nadira’s observations, fears, and gradual growth.
What stands out most is the contrast between the two sisters. Aisha, once confident and driven, begins to unravel under the pressure of their uncertain sta- tus, while Nadira—previously overshadowed—steps into an unexpected role of strength. This shift is handled with sensitivity, illustrating how crisis can reshape identities within a family. Nadira’s voice is authentic and compelling, conveying both vulnera- bility and quiet determination.
The novel also sheds light on the bureaucratic and emotional toll of living as an undocumented immi- grant. Budhos highlights the constant tension of in- visibility—the idea of existing in a place that does not fully acknowledge you. The aftermath of 9/11 intensifies this, as suspicion and prejudice seep into everyday life, making even ordinary routines feel precarious.
Written in clear, accessible prose, the book is par- ticularly suitable for younger readers, yet its themes resonate far beyond that audience. It encourages empathy without preaching, offering insight into a perspective that is often overlooked.
Ask Me No Questions is a thoughtful and moving read. It lingers in the mind, not because of dramatic twists, but because of its honest portrayal of resil- ience, identity, and the meaning of belonging.
LUCIFER JUST WANTED TO PET KITTENS
by Craig W. Chenery
Chenery’s novel is brilliantly inventive, darkly humorous, and thrilling, blending supernatural chaos with endearing characters and relentless suspense..
Craig W. Chenery’s Lucifer Just Wanted To Pet Kittens is an audacious and delightfully irreverent follow-up to God Just Wanted To Play Golf, taking readers deeper into the chaotic, neon-lit world of the Oceanview Trilogy. The novel balances absurd humour with genuine suspense, creating a narrative that is as entertaining as it is unpredictable. Lucifer, portrayed with a charmingly mischievous edge, is a far cry from traditional depictions of the fallen angel. His passion for drama-free indulgence, complete with LSD-fuelled parties and electronic dance music, pro- vides a quirky and surprisingly endearing perspective on the afterlife.
The story’s scope expands impressively, intertwin- ing the cosmic antics of Heaven and Hell with the gritty survival struggles of the Oceanview Seven. The stakes are high, and the pace relentless, particularly when a mysterious portal unleashes a deadly creature known as The Caretaker. Chenery excels at juggling multiple plot threads, from Lucifer’s reluctant hero- ism to the post-apocalyptic tension experienced by the human survivors. The unexpected alliance between celestial beings and mortals adds depth and novelty to the narrative, and the introduction of a formidable enemy rooted in Old Testament lore injects a thrilling sense of danger.
Chenery’s writing is witty and vivid, often border- ing on the absurd, yet the characters are convincingly human beneath their supernatural facades. The nov- el blends satire, horror, and adventure in a way that keeps the reader thoroughly engaged, while also ex- ploring themes of cooperation, loyalty, and the unpre- dictability of life—mortal or otherwise.
Overall, Lucifer Just Wanted To Pet Kittens is a wildly inventive, darkly comic, and engagingly cha- otic read. Fans of the first book will relish the continu- ation of the trilogy, while newcomers may find them- selves pleasantly overwhelmed by the sheer audacity and creativity of Chenery’s world.
EDITOR’S CHOICE
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