Ian’s Reviews > Four Short Novels > Status Update

To make my previous critique of The Ladybird more succinct: Daphne is superfluous and it isn't clear what role she plays in the occult trichotomy going on in the piece.

Of the three works that I have read The Fox is by far the best. However, it kinda lost me when the young man is said to be actually drawn to March. This isn't consistent with the previous characterization and the source of this desire is vague.

The Ladybird - The second half is much better than the first. I like the occult intonations and spiritual personalities and symbols that the characters take on. However, it is still a bit over-written and awkward, even the second half. The mood becomes clear, consistent, and even quite gothic at the end. Reminds me of Edgar Allen Poe to an extent.

Just a bit more than half through 'The Ladybird' now - quite bad. The occult stuff comes out of nowhere and the hyphenated couplets are awful stylistically: adoration-lust, woman-godhead. It's incredibly overwritten. Lawrence also disregards the far more interesting character of Lady Beverage. Count Dionys is more comical than anything. I'm frustrated because I believe the WWI setting is always a ripe one.

Love among the Haystacks - quite a quaint and subdued little read that is ultimately happy with some mishaps along the way. The vernacular is well done and helps to build the characters to some extent. Ultimately, though, the plot doesn’t cohere to me: Maurice’s falling of the stack is altogether unimportant it seems. It’s nice and prosaic but everything happens just a bit too quick.