The Last Castrato
Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 11:09 am
A recent novel with castration as a plot element is The Last Castrato, by J. Wolf Sanchez. The book was self-published in 2005, and is available through Amazon ( http://www.amazon.com/Last-Castrato-J-W ... 346&sr=8-5), and probably other suppliers as well.
There is reason why it was self-published, rather than by a regular publisher. The book desperately needs an editor and fact checker. Most of the authors here on the Archive do at least as well or, generally, much better. While the basic plot is well done, there are annoying errors throughout. Its about a one-evening read (221 pages) and probably of interest only to anyone wanting a complete collection of novels where castration is a central element.
To give a sense of the writing style, here is the prologue to the novel:
Standing only a few feet away, I saw the man called Titino take a knife from his satchel. The naked body of my nine year old brother laid spread eagle on top of the upturned cart. My poor twin brother whom I loved deeply was unconscious now, while I was still awake and would soon bear witness to this unpardonable crime.
Well? What are you waiting for? Bragantti barked at Titino, who seemed to be in a daze.
Bragantti was the one who brought us here. He was a very big man. He was bald and his face had a meanness to it. He wore a perpetual scowl. Today was the first time I saw him smile. While my brother begged for mercy as he placed his massive hands on his tiny neck to asphyxiate him, I saw him smile.
Titino knelt on the dirt, his face inches from my brothers genitals. He gently cupped the scrotal sac and began to slice at the skin. Bragantti hovered over him, seemingly fascinated with the procedure.
I thought I saw blood. I had to shut my eyes finally. As Bragantti said earlier, I was next.
There is reason why it was self-published, rather than by a regular publisher. The book desperately needs an editor and fact checker. Most of the authors here on the Archive do at least as well or, generally, much better. While the basic plot is well done, there are annoying errors throughout. Its about a one-evening read (221 pages) and probably of interest only to anyone wanting a complete collection of novels where castration is a central element.
To give a sense of the writing style, here is the prologue to the novel:
Standing only a few feet away, I saw the man called Titino take a knife from his satchel. The naked body of my nine year old brother laid spread eagle on top of the upturned cart. My poor twin brother whom I loved deeply was unconscious now, while I was still awake and would soon bear witness to this unpardonable crime.
Well? What are you waiting for? Bragantti barked at Titino, who seemed to be in a daze.
Bragantti was the one who brought us here. He was a very big man. He was bald and his face had a meanness to it. He wore a perpetual scowl. Today was the first time I saw him smile. While my brother begged for mercy as he placed his massive hands on his tiny neck to asphyxiate him, I saw him smile.
Titino knelt on the dirt, his face inches from my brothers genitals. He gently cupped the scrotal sac and began to slice at the skin. Bragantti hovered over him, seemingly fascinated with the procedure.
I thought I saw blood. I had to shut my eyes finally. As Bragantti said earlier, I was next.