Lit eZine Vol 7 | p-18 | BOOK REVIEW | Séduire: Serial Tales & Flash Fiction

BOOK REVIEW

SEDUIRE: SERIAL TALES & FLASH FICTION
A Review by Khaya Ronkainen

The book title Séduire—meaning “to seduce” in French—has an alluring ambiguity that could play out in several intriguing ways. When mulling over the title, three interpretations came to mind. First, the art of seduction where characters use charm and persuasion, sometimes edging into manipulation to achieve their goals. Another aspect is the case of the “forbidden,” enticing readers to explore risky or morally ambiguous choices made by characters. Then the intrigue of the mind examining how people, beliefs, or environments steer characters towards obsession, inspiration, or change.

These above interpretations are not far-fetched. Because the experience of reading Tremaine Loadholt’s collection of Serial Tales and Flash Fiction, Séduire, felt akin to delving into a jar of assorted cookies where one isn’t sure what to expect, owing to unique flavours and decorations that the author could have added in the batter, so to speak. However, this book should not be mistaken for the sweetness of cookies. It is an incredibly moving collection that explores dark themes such as loss of love, death of a loved one, racial prejudice, sexual abuse, among others.

Stories such as “We Don’t Talk About Daniela,” “Phara,” “Reflections of a Lost Love that Will Never Be Found,” and “Mr. Bradford and His Ox Collection” are deeply affecting, leaving a lasting impact on the reader. The serial story “Clover,” narrated by a child, captures a family’s aspirations as they climb the social ladder, despite racial prejudice they have to contend with. Yet, the collection balances darkness with warmth, including tales of lovers’ reconciliation, a rebellious teen transformed under the guidance of a caring aunt, first-time parents, and more, inviting readers to witness characters navigating life’s trials.

Séduire is a collection containing just fourteen stories, three of which are serial tales. The stories offer glimpses of unique moments and experiences, with characters that are relatable and evoke empathy, possibly leading readers to shed a few tears. Despite the unfortunate circumstances characters find themselves in, the author does a brilliant job of giving them a voice and agency to take action, instead of being portrayed as victims. In addition, the way the author gracefully tackles the dark themes in this collection is commendable.

Though not centred on romantic escapades, this collection has a psychological drama element that accentuates seduction. While stories in Séduire can read like a start of an adventure, where or how they end is surprising but satisfactory. The overall appeal of this collection, as small as it is, is how it packs a punch and leaves a lasting impression on the reader.