In Robin Parrish's first attempt at writing a Young Adult novel, I would venture to say that he succeeded in writing something worthy of that genre. Although this story can easily reach its demographic, readers of all ages can enjoy it as well. It is full of mystery, suspense, and fast-paced action. Parrish's Corridor is written on a level comparable to O. Henry and Phillip K. Dick. Like so many of his other novels, Corridor starts off with a bang, barely giving his readers a chance to get used to the settings before flinging them into action. This is appropriate in his new novel because that is exactly what Troy Groggin, the main character, deals with. Troy wakes up in a place called the Corridor not remembering where he last was. The Corridor turns out to be a maze of sorts that tests its runners' physical and psychological skills while asking one question of them: how badly do you want to live? Troy finds the answer to that question as his will is beaten time and again only to have his world shattered by one final choice.
If there is one thing readers should remember before reading Corridor, it is to not try to figure out the ending. I read the story in two sittings, quite the feat for me even taking the book's short length into consideration, and all the while my mind kept racing to figure out what was going on. Even as I write this, I believe that the next time I read it something else will happen. That is the power Parrish has over his readers. He uses science fiction the way it was meant to be used, the way pioneers such as George Orwell and Ray Bradbury intended its use. Parrish uses Corridor to take his readers down a different kind of rabbit hole, one with very few hopes of escaping.
All this does not mean that Parrish's writing is flawless. His use of language is a little weak, most notably when a seventeen year old boy exclaims “Oh crud.” Troy makes this comment well after his many near-death encounters, and although I know that somewhere out there may be a seventeen year old boy who says “Oh crud” after almost dying for the umpteenth time, it isn't likely. I find it difficult to believe that a seventeen year old boy in that situation wouldn't swear, even if the words aren't spoken on the page. Parrish's first five novels were published under a Christian publishing house, and this one is represented by a Christian literary agent. However, he himself has said that he doesn't want to be pigeonholed as a “Christian author” but rather as an author who happens to be Christian. That being said, I don't think it's too much to ask that, after Parrish brings us into a world that we should have no right believing in but because of his writing we do anyway, he doesn't lose his readers' belief through his use of overly genteel language.
The biggest distraction for me, though, was not necessarily in Parrish's writing as it was in the editing. Troy is first referred to as runner thirty five thirty seven (3537), but later he thinks about how three thousand seven hundred and thirty four (3,734) people came before him. This was only one of the inconsistencies that should have been picked up in the editing process but, unfortunately for Parrish, wasn't. Thankfully, because of his effective world-building talent, these issues don't deter the reader enough from the novel to not read it. Overall Parrish did a great job of creating characters the reader can care for, a world the reader can believe in, and a story the reader can enjoy.
Corridor is available as an ebook for just $2.99 on the Kindle and the Nook. It is also available for POD (print on demand). For more information, visit his website at the link on the right.
After reading Corridor, I came back to re-read your review, and it was spot-on! It definitely had aspects that reminded me of Nightmare: the two stories going on at once (Troy's journey thorugh the Corridor and tidbits from his past unfolding), and Parrish's amazing world-building talents were truly on display.
ReplyDeleteHowever, predictable doesn't begin to describe it. I was able to guess (without trying) almost every major plot point, especially the ones that were clearly intended to surprise and shock the reader at and near the end.
*Possible spoiler.*
Also, there are some inconsistencies, the most glaring of which is that Troy would've noticed some of the birthdates were in the future when he saw them all together.
I think an author responding to a review (other than to thank the reviewer for reading and reviewing his or her work) is a mistake and unprofessional. Mainly because, in every instance where I've witnessed this, the author ends up disputing some point in the review and being, well, wrong.
In addition to the most hilarious typo/mistake I may have ever seen in a book (the gentile Grandfather, pg 37), which completely jolted me out of the story (I laughed until I cried), there were several issues which should've been caught and corrected by an editor who simply didn't do her job. Frankly, this manuscript deserved a better editor, and nobody who understands the publishing industry is going to dispute that. We all know an author may make a mistake, but it is up to the editor to catch it. It is very kind of Parrish to assume responsibility for this himself, but inaccurate for Parrish to say these editorial issues are his fault.
(Note: I'm assuming it was supposed to be gentle, not non-Jewish.)
Troy's character could've used a little more depth. I can see why, as a function of the story, Victoria's character didn't have that at the beginning, but it would've been nice if she had grown to have more by the end, instead of just alternating between encouragement and pity.
I also see an issue with length. As a YA author and frequent reader of YA books (usually a few per week for well over a decade), I know there are short books out there... but this is exceptionally short. When I purchase an e-book for $2.99, I hope it will provide at least 3 hours of entertainment for me. Corridor only took 45 minutes to read. Granted, it was a fast-paced and thrilling 45 minutes, but still. I would be more likely to purchase this if it were grouped with a few other short stories, either related ones by Parrish, or stories that are similar in theme or setting by other YA authors. And readers do expect e-books to live up to the same standards as printed books, especially in terms of typos/editing mistakes. This is one main reason so many readers are wary of e-books in the first place.
Also, Parrish seems to be unfamiliar with his audience, which makes sense because this is his first foray into YA. If I, too, found it distracting and unconvincing that there was not one allusion to Troy swearing, even in moments of ultimate stress, well, a teenager isn't going to believe it. That is the first crack in the foundation of Corridor: Troy sounds like he has been censored by a middle-aged Christian author... and he has. Readers are going to notice, and it detracts from Corridor.
Your editor failed you, Mr. Parrish... which is sad, because she effectively failed your readers, as well. This was a great story, and could've been much better with proper editing. Your world-building is both mythical and magical. Your world in Corridor reminded me of The Giver and Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry, and that is definitely a compliment. While this story is not as polished as your others, it is certainly moving, captivating, and ultimately satisfying.
I'm sorry, the comments about swearing sound very much like things not meeting *your* perspective and personal expectations, not necessarily being unrealistic in general.
ReplyDeleteI read very heavily in high school. Science Fiction, comic books, young adult fiction, teen fiction, and adult fiction. Granted, that was a few years ago, but I did not read a single swear word - or even the reference to one - in any of those books. Hell, there was more 'swearing' in Beetle Baily & Hagar the Horrible than most Science Fiction by Asimov, Zelazny, Herbert and the like. Even Dean Koontz uses it sparingly. I myself didn't start swearing until I was working in TV at 24 - and not because I censored myself, I just didn't use or need that language to express myself.
Maybe, rather than Parrish censoring the book, as you seem to believe - he doesn't, those words don't occur to him, and he thinks it's lazy to just throw them out there - perhaps Troy is, in fact, a respectful young man - YES, THEY DO EXIST, even today - or just chooses not to use that language in front of a lady, particularly a lady that he is aware is from a less vulgar time.
On a side note, what books have you written, Meg? I would like to take the time to check them out.
Thanks.