The Radicals
by Marolyn Krasner
Disruption vies with respectability.
‘D’ dedicated 25 years to Pussy Power activism and disruptions – breaking up gatherings of homophobes and causing havoc at, for example, the opening party of a hair removal salon – and she was good at it. But one misguided move and now she’s on probation.
D hates being on probation but she’s trying hard to stick to the rules because now that she’s baby Frida’s co-mum, she has so much to lose if she misbehaves. Then one day she sees her estranged father on TV and all her good intentions begin to unravel.
The Radicals is, however, much, much more than a tale of reckless decisions, new parenthood and revenge. Krasner has created in D a protagonist who draws her readers into a world which we all know exists but may not have experienced. From how D reacts and interacts with her co-probationists to how she copes with homelessness and being in a relationship with her boss, The Radicals is an absorbing read.
Krasner tells D’s story the way it is, without compromise to respectability or reader sensitivity, so readers may gasp or squirm, but skillfully used shots of brusque humour offset the discomfort of D’s constantly smouldering rage and resentment.
D’s world view is complex but at the same time very focused. Although she is perhaps more radical and more outspoken than many people would dare to be, there is something of her in anyone who has ever felt strongly enough about even one social issue to take action for change.
The Radical’s striking cover tells the story better than any back cover blurb. This is a book with absolute 21st century relevance. The blurb sent out by the author didn’t initially appeal but I’m glad I took up my own post-Covid-19 challenge to myself to read something different: thank you Marolyn Krasner for The Radicals.
by Marolyn Krasner
Disruption vies with respectability.
‘D’ dedicated 25 years to Pussy Power activism and disruptions – breaking up gatherings of homophobes and causing havoc at, for example, the opening party of a hair removal salon – and she was good at it. But one misguided move and now she’s on probation.
D hates being on probation but she’s trying hard to stick to the rules because now that she’s baby Frida’s co-mum, she has so much to lose if she misbehaves. Then one day she sees her estranged father on TV and all her good intentions begin to unravel.
The Radicals is, however, much, much more than a tale of reckless decisions, new parenthood and revenge. Krasner has created in D a protagonist who draws her readers into a world which we all know exists but may not have experienced. From how D reacts and interacts with her co-probationists to how she copes with homelessness and being in a relationship with her boss, The Radicals is an absorbing read.
Krasner tells D’s story the way it is, without compromise to respectability or reader sensitivity, so readers may gasp or squirm, but skillfully used shots of brusque humour offset the discomfort of D’s constantly smouldering rage and resentment.
D’s world view is complex but at the same time very focused. Although she is perhaps more radical and more outspoken than many people would dare to be, there is something of her in anyone who has ever felt strongly enough about even one social issue to take action for change.
The Radical’s striking cover tells the story better than any back cover blurb. This is a book with absolute 21st century relevance. The blurb sent out by the author didn’t initially appeal but I’m glad I took up my own post-Covid-19 challenge to myself to read something different: thank you Marolyn Krasner for The Radicals.
Review by Carolyn McKenzie
Title: The Radicals
Author: Marolyn Krasner
Publisher: Radical Press
ISBN: 9780463078624
RRP: $24.99
Available: via distributor Nationwide Books; www.marolynkrasner.com
Author: Marolyn Krasner
Publisher: Radical Press
ISBN: 9780463078624
RRP: $24.99
Available: via distributor Nationwide Books; www.marolynkrasner.com
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