The Conversion of Carne Muerto Redux
So, it seems my review has ignited a bit of an internet firestorm. Which is, of course, what you hope for in a review of that type: that it gets folks talking about a subject. Well, it has, and if you're bored, there's all kinds of comments here. I'm doing my damnedest to answer everybody who's not a blatant troll without saying too many stupid things. I think I'm doing all right, but judge for yourself. In the immortal words of Jedidiah Ayres, panties have certainly twisted sharp-like.
Chris La Tray probably has the most reasoned breakdown of events thus far, which I strongly encourage you to read.
The excrement really isn't slowing it's assault on the oscillating device as it relates to my friend Benjamin Whitmer's review for Spinetingler Magazine of the James Reasoner story, "The Conversion of Carne Muerto," from the new anthology called On Dangerous Ground: Stories of Western Noir from Cemetary Dance Publications. If you recall, this whole bru-ha-ha inspired my recent post on what issues maybe fire you up as a reader, or movie watcher, or anything along those lines.
The debate around the story is that Whitmer calls it out as belonging to a certain type rooted in what he calls the "Indian hater" tradition. He then does a pretty thorough job of identifying the hallmarks of that tradition, and how they have perpetuated several myths as it relates to Whites vs. Indian interactions in American history. He does this as explanation for the reasons he doesn't like the story. There are strong political and cultural emotions at play here, and Ben doesn't pull any punches. It's generated a lot of heat and hot air, in many cases from people who haven't read the story, and probably haven't even thought that much about how Indians have been treated in literature or movies.
Happily I was able to acquire a copy of the story, and have the hardcover edition of the anthology headed my way. Having read the story now, if I must make a cold, emotionless evaluation, I'd say Whitmer is right, for all the reason's he's given. Whitmer's primary argument is that this is a story that's a pretty note-for-note take on the tradition as he outlines it, and really does nothing to bring anything new to the trope. Frankly, that assessment is spot on, if one chooses to view it in that light.
But that doesn't mean he hasn't earned a fair amount of the anger that's been thrown at him.
Since we're talking about western noir, by the way, don't miss Jedidiah Ayres' column on the subject over at the BN Mystery Blog. He has all kinds of great recommendations, including several near and dear to my heart. One particularly so.
