Sunday Story Ratings #03: The Dark Room

[aesmael]

Originally published at a denizen's entertainment. You can comment here or there.

The Dark Room by Minette Walters

Originally published 1995; this edition 1996

Publisher: Allen & Unwin Pty Ltd

 

M

(V, L, S, D)

Violence

Coarse Language

Sexual References

Mild Drug Use

 

Representations

Gender:

Primary character is female, most other characters are male. Don't think this passes the Bechdel Test; although there are conversations between the lead and her step-mother, the lead's father features strongly.

Sex:

Characters have a variety of attitudes toward sexuality, ranging from strongly sex-negative to strongly sex-positive. One character is gay and falls into the flamboyant stereotype, but does not fall victim to any adverse tropes (e.g. Bury Your Gays). If any other character is not heterosexual, I did not notice it evidenced by the text.

Race & Ethnicity:

Two minor characters are black English and subjected to the racism of a third character. Also true of a back-story character. Apart from this race plays no noticed role and other characters are presumed white.

Disability, Physical Diversity and Health:

The lead character has amnesia. The villain of the story is described as mentally ill.