Wonderful, I absolutely love the combo of shamanistic ritual, feminist revindication and ancestral lore. I think this is without a doubt one of your strongest pieces and I personally would love to see much more of this kind of thing. Call it post-colonial folk horror or what you will, it's definitely a fertile ground for further exploration. (It's partly why I suggested bringing your lady vampire from NYC to the Caribbean, which still could be a possibility).
The prose style is graceful and strong, as the others have noted. I wouldn't single out a particular line as the whole thing meshes together so well.
Personal note: I never met a matriarch in my youth, as my grandmas died long before I was born, and my mother and aunts were all totally brain-fucked by the patriarchy of the Catholic church and instead of wisdom just repeated whatever they were told to by the priest. That only came much later, and so I do know a few wise matriarchs nowadays.
Post colonial folk horror is a GOOD phrase and I’m glad you appreciate it. Even though you met no worthy matriarchs in your youth I’m glad you met them later which in some ways allow you to appreciate them more.
Wonderful, I absolutely love the combo of shamanistic ritual, feminist revindication and ancestral lore. I think this is without a doubt one of your strongest pieces and I personally would love to see much more of this kind of thing. Call it post-colonial folk horror or what you will, it's definitely a fertile ground for further exploration. (It's partly why I suggested bringing your lady vampire from NYC to the Caribbean, which still could be a possibility).
The prose style is graceful and strong, as the others have noted. I wouldn't single out a particular line as the whole thing meshes together so well.
Personal note: I never met a matriarch in my youth, as my grandmas died long before I was born, and my mother and aunts were all totally brain-fucked by the patriarchy of the Catholic church and instead of wisdom just repeated whatever they were told to by the priest. That only came much later, and so I do know a few wise matriarchs nowadays.
Post colonial folk horror is a GOOD phrase and I’m glad you appreciate it. Even though you met no worthy matriarchs in your youth I’m glad you met them later which in some ways allow you to appreciate them more.
woah, this was such a beautiful read!
Thank you so very much
I loved that culture and womanhood is central. It’s not a story of threat it’s a story of survival TOGETHER. really really good.
Thank you so much!! You get it
Fuckin dope. Really good.
Wow, dripping good prose. Sheesh. So good.
Appreciate that Jon I truly do
Exquisite prose! Truly outstanding.
Thank you William I’m glad you enjoyed it
This is fabulous! I loved every word.
Love everything about this piece. So visually appetizing. I was able to see it in film. Love when that happens.
Oh thank you so much!! This is my fav type of comment because I sure did see it all in my mind
Incredible visuals in this. So good.
Thank you Deirdre 🥹🥹