Review of The Melancholy Strumpet Master
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- Latest Review: The Melancholy Strumpet Master by Zeb Beck
Review of The Melancholy Strumpet Master
[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Melancholy Strumpet Master" by Zeb Beck.]
At the beginning of the novel, we find the primary character, Gilmore Crowell, pacing in his room with a raised hacksaw. One immediately wonders what Gilmore is thinking about and what the hacksaw is for. Before long, it becomes clear that he was on a mission to free his Isuzu Gemini hatchback, which had been immobilized. Will he succeed? Currently, Gil is undertaking his doctoral studies and has been conducting a study on sex workers in Zona Norte, Tijuana. He is also teaching at the Los Angeles Correctional Academy, but it appears the major challenge is completing his thesis even as others complete theirs. The most amazing thing about Gil is the train of thought concerning his topic of study, and anyone who has undertaken a study, especially as part of their academic requirements, will relate to his sentiments.
The Melancholy Strumpet Master, a satirical fiction by Zeb Beck, is one of the most captivating novels I have ever read, and it is also educational. The most interesting thing about the book is Gil’s dissertation journey. After eight years, will he finally have something to show for all his effort? But more than this, one also wonders whether his efforts to gather the much-needed data from the sex workers will bear fruit, including a website idea that he decides to pursue. The character development is top-notch as well. For instance, one will almost find it irritating that Gil seems to be in a self-destruct mode, especially with his brash personality.
Additionally, there is a lot of humor woven into the fabric of the story. For instance, Cynthia Kaufman, one of the graduate students in the Anthro-999 class, was describing her master’s thesis titled Landscape of Flesh: Tantric Sects of the Kangra District, 1902 to 1948. When questioned on what happened in 1948, Cynthia responds:
One of the things that Zeb employs perfectly is thrilling twists and turns, especially towards the end of the novel. Indeed, at one time, I was almost feeling disappointed by what I had imagined would be the ending to such a captivating and moving tale, and before I knew it, everything had changed. Undoubtedly, one of the most fascinating scenes and conversations in the book takes place towards the end, involving Gil and another character, Ross, and the author leaves the reader in suspense, yet the cliffhanger is not disappointing but sweet. There was nothing I disliked about this book. Consequently, I am happy to rate it five out of five stars. Part of the reason behind the perfect rating, apart from its captivating nature and the believability and relatability of the characters, is how Gil’s struggle with his dissertation mirrors what many graduate students go through. Readers should be aware that the book contains some sex scenes, but they are not too descriptive.
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The Melancholy Strumpet Master
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
At the beginning of the novel, we find the primary character, Gilmore Crowell, pacing in his room with a raised hacksaw. One immediately wonders what Gilmore is thinking about and what the hacksaw is for. Before long, it becomes clear that he was on a mission to free his Isuzu Gemini hatchback, which had been immobilized. Will he succeed? Currently, Gil is undertaking his doctoral studies and has been conducting a study on sex workers in Zona Norte, Tijuana. He is also teaching at the Los Angeles Correctional Academy, but it appears the major challenge is completing his thesis even as others complete theirs. The most amazing thing about Gil is the train of thought concerning his topic of study, and anyone who has undertaken a study, especially as part of their academic requirements, will relate to his sentiments.
(Beck, Zeb. The Melancholy Strumpet Master (p. 32). Kindle Edition.)“The other grad students knew something was off about him, though exactly what had become a topic of shallow debate. One of the more extreme arguments held that he was no longer really a student, just a departmental outcast permitted to remain on campus as a sort of mascot of mismanaged time.”
The Melancholy Strumpet Master, a satirical fiction by Zeb Beck, is one of the most captivating novels I have ever read, and it is also educational. The most interesting thing about the book is Gil’s dissertation journey. After eight years, will he finally have something to show for all his effort? But more than this, one also wonders whether his efforts to gather the much-needed data from the sex workers will bear fruit, including a website idea that he decides to pursue. The character development is top-notch as well. For instance, one will almost find it irritating that Gil seems to be in a self-destruct mode, especially with his brash personality.
Additionally, there is a lot of humor woven into the fabric of the story. For instance, Cynthia Kaufman, one of the graduate students in the Anthro-999 class, was describing her master’s thesis titled Landscape of Flesh: Tantric Sects of the Kangra District, 1902 to 1948. When questioned on what happened in 1948, Cynthia responds:
(Beck, Zeb. The Melancholy Strumpet Master (pp. 218-219). Kindle Edition.)“That’s when my study ends.”
One of the things that Zeb employs perfectly is thrilling twists and turns, especially towards the end of the novel. Indeed, at one time, I was almost feeling disappointed by what I had imagined would be the ending to such a captivating and moving tale, and before I knew it, everything had changed. Undoubtedly, one of the most fascinating scenes and conversations in the book takes place towards the end, involving Gil and another character, Ross, and the author leaves the reader in suspense, yet the cliffhanger is not disappointing but sweet. There was nothing I disliked about this book. Consequently, I am happy to rate it five out of five stars. Part of the reason behind the perfect rating, apart from its captivating nature and the believability and relatability of the characters, is how Gil’s struggle with his dissertation mirrors what many graduate students go through. Readers should be aware that the book contains some sex scenes, but they are not too descriptive.
******
The Melancholy Strumpet Master
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
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Latest Review: The Melancholy Strumpet Master by Zeb Beck
