On the dangers of verisimilitude

[marycrawford]

Oh dear. I've been reading War For The Oaks, an urban fantasy novel by Emma Bull that I generally enjoyed, but at certain points I kept thinking, This book was clearly written in the '80s.

And it was, of course. But the reason I was so aware of it is that people's clothes were described in detail, frex, the heroine wears a beaded sweater with shoulder pads, or a violet shirt over green leggings. I think the intent was to show that the heroine and her friends wear pretty, somewhat bohemian things, since they are musicians and everything, but I kept visualizing those outfits and making faces. Worst of all, one of the male love interests, a gorgeous man who is really a phouka, is described as wearing nothing but a pair of tight paisley jeans.

Paisley jeans. Gah. So much for sexiness.

Of course, in another decade or three, this effect will probably fade, and the clothes of the previous century will just look quaint and interesting again. I hope.

Comments

[flambeau.livejournal.com]

Hee! I mostly notice about the music, but yeah, the clothes also. Love the book, though.

[marycrawford.livejournal.com]

Yeah, music too, but the songs I recognized, I like, so that's different. *g* Was very amused by the keyboard player intoning 'Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to discuss this thing called Life' and the rest of the song started playing in my head...