Sincere writing always wins out. Leper Dance, a novelette, is a great little story, one that pulls you right into high school oddball existence and angst, but that also speaks to much broader emotions and experience. This is the story of Margaret the self-made high school outcast. Well, at least somewhat self-made-either way, she’s pissed. At her home life, at social relationships, at herself. And when Cheryl, the wild everygirl, develops a crush on Margaret, much personal chaos ensues. Margaret must first understand this new “relationship,” but more importantly, she must try to understand herself. Sutherland has the language, the intensity, and the rawness to pull this story off and make it quite believable. The only advice I could give is that she find a skilled editor to help with some structural issues to push this story even further. Excellent read! (Jon Pressick)
Suzanne Sutherland, litzine, [email protected]