#Reading - Finding the Line by Sylvain St-Pierre

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#Reading - Finding the Line by Sylvain St-Pierre

#1

Post by Erdwolf_TVL »

I'm about half way through reading Finding the Line by Sylvain St-Pierre

Going to be tough one to review... For all it's strengths, good storytelling and intriguing premise, it really tempts fate when describing taboo sexual behavior.

Ritualistic orgies. Incest. Scenes involving an under-aged MC and the ghost of his deceased father.

I'll be sure to post the review here when I am done. If you enjoy gay erotica and are not easily squicked, might be worth checking out!
Last edited by Adagio on Wed Feb 13, 2019 10:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: #Reading - Finding the Line by Sylvain St-Pierre

#2

Post by Erdwolf_TVL »

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https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2 ... iew_page=1

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Denton Brislow is a pretty average cop - with an above average libido - in an anthropomorphic future Denver. He and his partner are called to investigate the horrific slaying of one of the city’s most influential families and one of their servants.

This may sound like the start to your run-of-the-mill cop action novella, but I assure you, it is not. You see, it comes to be that Denton’s bloodline has ties to Society - an underground religion whose divination consists primarily of… homoerotic sex.

Before reading this book (having been briefed on its content) I feared this plot device would amount to little more than a convenient excuse to introduce an orgy every few pages. The orgies were there, I assure you. But I am happy to report that St-Pierre managed to take the high road and craft a cohesive, believable religion with clearly defined rules, checks and balances. A lot of thought went into the way it manifests itself and how it folds into larger society.

Fair warning. This book is not for the squeamish. It describes bodily fluids a plenty. Sex. Lots of Sex. And then some more sex. There is mention of incest. Denton is reminded of his initiation, which happened whilst he was still a minor. And twice in the novel, he has visions of him having intercourse with the ghost of his own father. As a counterpoint, he does not agree with all the traditions and rituals of his newfound brotherhood. At times, he is truly disgusted. You will be too.

The great irony of this novel - where sex is such an important theme - it is not very sexy. It does not feel pornographic. St-Pierre does not spend a lot of time gushing over the characters’ sexual encounters. Sometimes it is as crude as “...and then we fucked for three hours.” I believe this was done to emphasize the doctrine of Society, that sex is about the transfer of life energy from one vessel to another. Enjoyment thereof being a convenient side-effect. So this is not a big loss to me.

My main criticism of this book, aside from the dubious legality of some of its sexual encounters, is that the “furry” aspect of the book feels more like spice added, rather than a key ingredient to the recipe. This story could easily have worked with human characters. Apart from the occasional mauling, the only benefit of adding tail, paw and claw to the mix would be to soften the unpleasantries - to remind the reader that this is a different society and universe than the one we live in.

Your mileage will vary with “Finding the Line”. You are likely to either love it or hate it. Though it falls flat as a pornographic piece, I will recommend this book based on strong characterization, solid narrative, good flow and the uniqueness of the concept.
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Re: #Reading - Finding the Line by Sylvain St-Pierre

#3

Post by Rakuen Growlithe »

Erdwolf_TVL wrote: Tue Feb 26, 2019 9:49 pmMy main criticism of this book, aside from the dubious legality of some of its sexual encounters, is that the “furry” aspect of the book feels more like spice added, rather than a key ingredient to the recipe. This story could easily have worked with human characters. Apart from the occasional mauling, the only benefit of adding tail, paw and claw to the mix would be to soften the unpleasantries - to remind the reader that this is a different society and universe than the one we live in.
That's very interesting because I reviewed one of his books for FBR. In the one that I read, the animal aspects of the characters was absolutely essential to the plot and completely shaped the world. It went beyond just tails and paws but the differences and tensions between species, particularly predator and prey, were there in almost every scene.
"If all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind."
~John Stuart Mill~

“Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties.”
~John Milton~
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Re: #Reading - Finding the Line by Sylvain St-Pierre

#4

Post by Erdwolf_TVL »

Rakuen Growlithe wrote: Tue Feb 26, 2019 10:01 pm That's very interesting because I reviewed one of his books for FBR. In the one that I read, the animal aspects of the characters was absolutely essential to the plot and completely shaped the world. It went beyond just tails and paws but the differences and tensions between species, particularly predator and prey, were there in almost every scene.
I know which book you are talking about! And I look forward to reading your review.
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Re: #Reading - Finding the Line by Sylvain St-Pierre

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Post by Rakuen Growlithe »

It was A Wasteful Death. My review is already up on Furry Book Review but if you have any comments on it, the review also has a thread here.
"If all mankind minus one, were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person, than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind."
~John Stuart Mill~

“Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties.”
~John Milton~
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