Book Review: A Book of Tongues by Gemma Files
Title: A Book of Tongues (Hexslinger #1)
Author: Gemma Files
Release date: January 1st, 2010
I don’t know how many years ago now, I was having a conversation with Andrew Pyper and he told me there were two books I absolutely HAD to read. The first was Sara Gran’s ‘Come Closer,’ and the second was ‘Experimental Film’ by Gemma Files. At the time, I only knew of Files as being Canadian Horror Royalty. Having one of the most recognizable and longest lasting career in Canada based around Speculative and Horror fiction, Gemma was ‘must read’ as Andrew stated.
I read and loved ‘Come Closer,’ but at the time, I wasn’t in the right mindset for ‘Experimental Film,’ so after reading maybe a quarter of the book, I set it aside, determined to return to it at some point in the future.
It was around that time, that I had another book pal tell me I had to read ‘A Book of Tongues.’ If I wanted to read a weird-western-horror-queer-fantasy style mashup, then that would be the book – and the series – for me to dive into.
I grabbed the first book, but after the original publisher ceased, I purchased the digital boxset of all three books. When it came to the top of my TBR recently, I was elated, because I’d been meaning to dive in sooner. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I had been told three things by my book pal previously – it’s wild, one character is completely ruthless, and there is a lot of male on male fornication. Color me intrigued.
What I liked: The story follows the Rev, Asher Rook, who has returned from the dead. Along with his sidekick/lover, Chess, they’ve fled from the confederation army and formed a gang, killing and stealing as they go. Rev’s foray – though brief – to the other side has gotten the attention of a Mayan Goddess, who seeks him out.
Meanwhile, Morrow – a mole working their way into the gang – battles his feelings and his orders.
As I said, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this book is grimy and unflinching. It actually reminded me of what Seth McFarlane’s movie, ‘A Million Ways to Die in the West’ would’ve been like had it not been a comedy. A sideways glance deemed disrespectful means a quick draw and an exploded head. Chess is a complex character that often steals the spotlight with his wit, disdain for everyone but the Rev, and his insatiable lust for having the Rev fuck him. He’s a character you unexpectedly find yourself rooting for.
The Rev is a looming figure, one that seems happy to keep his powers hidden, only to then unveil them and do as he pleases. That was a huge plot aspect that resonated throughout – the complexity of their relationship and what was love versus lust versus forced acts. Files handles it really solidly.
The storyline involving the Goddess was a solid foil angle for the Rev and Chess and ultimately works as a distraction over Morrow’s growing storyline and ultimately what happens in the final quarter and sets up things to continue in book two.
What I didn’t like: It did take me a bit to find the flow in this book. It has a jarring prose angle to it that really forced my brain to work hard to follow along, but once I did, it was smooth sailing.
Though some reviews say that there is a lot of detailed male/male sex within, I didn’t find it to be lewd, over-the-top or grotesque. It was pretty much what I would expect it to be. But if you prefer to stay away from books with a decent amount of sex in it, then this one might not be for you.
Why you should buy this: With the Splatter-Western novels continuing to grab readers and the Fantasy-Western subgenre becoming more and more prominent, it should be a no-brainer to grab this and read it, considering it was released over a decade ago.
Files is a living horror legend, an inspiration to many, many writers working today and this book showcases a different arsenal in her writing tool box, that will have readers very happy.
Now, I turn my sights back to ‘Experimental Film.’
