Summer’s Lease

Title: Summer’s Lease
Author: Scot D. Ryersson
Cover artist: Scot D.Ryersson
Publisher: Bristlecone Pine Press
Buy Link Amazon:
Genre: gay historical
Length: Short story/30 pages
Rating: 5 stars out of 5

A guest review by Sirius

Summary: A beautiful snapshot of a passionate encounter in Victorian India

Blurb:

Calcutta, West Bengal, May 1891—Mair Calloway, Major Willoughby’s grandson, is arriving at Barrackpore for one night, en route to England for his first year at university. Captain Charles Blackthorne has been ordered to meet Mair at the train and take him under his wing for twenty-four hours. “No girls!” the Major orders. “Take care of his every need—personally!” Blackthorne, with an impeccable record in twelve years of military service would seem to be the perfect chaperone…

Summer’s Lease, an original short story from acclaimed author Scot D. Ryersson, brings the sights, smells, and tastes of colonial India to life. With a sensual undercurrent and simmering eroticism present throughout, the reader is transported to another world for a visit, that, like Mair’s stay at the Viceregal Lodge, is all too short and will leave you wanting more.

Review:

When I read stories which are as beautifully written as this one, I sometimes feel that I do not have enough words in my vocabulary to adequately describe it. I want to give this story poetical and lyrical description, which it so deserves, but I am going to have to use whatever words I have in my repertoire. 🙂

The action takes place in Victorian India in the year 1891. I know very little about this place or time, but even if the author was way off in his descriptions, I did not for a second doubt its authenticity and I think this feeling is worth something at least. I also appreciated that the story is written in English, which feels like the English which people used in the 19th century because, while very beautiful, it is not how we talk now. It also reminded me of Russian novels written in the 19th century, style-wise. If you do not like this writing style, you will not like this story, be warned. For me the story sang, but I can see how people may find it too flowery and/or too archaic. Here is a good example:

“Prometheus alone, bound to his rock, and he could all but feel the everlasting tear of talons in his side. As he neared the carriage, a scintilla of lightning flashed, a roar of thunder right on its heels, and the first fat raindrops fell upon the scorched, thirsty earth”

The story captures a brief meeting between Charles Blackthorne, a seasoned British officer and eighteen-year-old Mair. One meeting, one moment in time and it tells the reader so much about Charles and a lot about Mair. I really loved how much we learned about Charles’ character during such a short page space, even if it was through his internal reflections. This normally would bother me, but again the writing just captured my heart. I wanted to weep for Charles’ situation, even if he would have probably never have let himself feel sorry for himself. We do not get to learn as much about Mair since he is not a POV character, but I want to stress that for such short story I thought the author captured him beautifully.

Even more amazing was how captivated I was by the instant attraction between Charles and Mair. Of course some of it was because author skillfully avoided the Insta!Love trap, but personally their connection felt more than just about sex. One note: the story does not have a traditional ending, but I thought that having one would have cheapened it.

The author also portrays the settings so vividly. As I said before, I cannot attest to the authenticity, but I can definitely say that I not only could see the places describes, but feel and smell things as well. I thought the writing was quite amazing.

Lastly, I also really, really enjoyed — and what again may not be everybody’s cup of tea — were several references to Greek mythology in the story. I thought all of them were very relevant, but again I can see how people may find such comparisons too flowery.

Overall, this story worked perfectly for me, but I can easily see how it may not work for everybody. Highly recommended.