The Open Window by Eve Francis

The Open Window
by Eve Francis
Pages: Unknown
Date: August 17 2016
Publisher: Less Than Three Press
Series: None

Review
Rating: 3.0 out of 5.0
Read: June 3 to 6 2016

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Less Than Three Press in exchange for an honest review.

This is my first book by this author that I’ve read. Though I’ve seen the author’s name pop up here and there a few times now. I’ve always avoided any and everything by the author. This was bad for two reasons. (1) I’ve made a rule for myself that I will not allow one story/book/whatever be my end-all-be-all reaction to an author – as in, if I give something 5 stars, I’m not going to assume everything by them I’ll love; if I give something by them 1 star, I’m not going to assume that everything by them I’ll hate. I failed this time, as I only gave one short story be my guide. (2) And that short story was by a completely different author with a similar name. So I’ve been avoiding this author for a while now, stupidly.

Characters
This book has two main characters and two point of views (happily with the two main characters, so that wasn’t a weird bit, eh?)

Morgan O’Brian is a self-described chubby girl, one who requires shirts that come XXL, and who may or may not be in her 30s (I had a vague feeling somewhere that she was, then realized later that I might have been confused by all the 30 year olds I’ve read recently). Regardless, she’s either late 20s or somewhere in her 30s. Her mother recently died, she has no connection to her father, and has one brother who has ‘grown up’. Morgan is someone who beats themselves up, emotionally, and has something like low self-esteem. She likes seeing signs to help her navigate life – though sometimes more as a ‘see, I suck’ excuse.

Morgan is an artist – mostly comic strips/book, though she has some paintings floating around – and designs for things like bands. She currently is, very slowly and somewhat reluctantly, been working on a proposal for a comic book when the book opens.

Her best friend, and apparently only human contact in the outside world (other than her brother, and nieces), is a fella named Reese. Who has a kind of annoyingly stereotypically gay persona, though certain events have him grow on the reader. They meet in art school.

Valentina ‘Val’ Lyall, aka Velouria is a woman on the brink of her 30s who works as a waitress in a crap job to pay the bills, while also being a member of a ‘electro-punk’ band called ‘The Asexual Kinks’. She’s bisexual, had been a member of a band long ago, took a break for an attempt at ‘growing up’, and is now back to being a band member. Velouria is her band name/persona.

Story
Most of the book involves Morgan and Val meeting, Val mentioning she’s going to be going on a road trip shortly, then going on said road trip – ‘road trip’ being a . . . um, six week? music tour with the band. Val and Morgan Skype, text, and (less so) email/phone each other while Val is on tour.

Meanwhile Morgan is lazily working on a proposal for a comic book. The comic book involves Joan of Arc working in a sex shop. And the sex toys talk to her. Actually more of a ‘Joan of Arc’ like person, since her name is Leah.

A few notes:
1) There were several (many?) occasions wherein I thought people were acting a lot more immature than I'd expect for people their stated age - I felt that way off and on; the kind of vaguely naive, vaguely teenage-esque angst; and yet, thinking about it, they kind of did act their ages, albeit kind of immaturely, but you can be mature or immature at any age.

2) There was a weird conflict that popped up in this book. I kind of assumed, from the beginning, that the conflict would be 'signs'/tarot card/psychic mutterings/nonsense that would be the cause of trouble. And . . . I was right. I really really want to lambast and very lowly rate this book because of some of that crap . . . except for two things: (a) the author and characters knew what was occurring, and reacted accordingly (as in everyone yelling at the dimbat, while the dimbat realized they were stupid); (b) I never really liked Reese . . . except these 'issues' brought out a specific side of him that I liked.

3) There is a lot of sex in this book.

4) There were a lot of errors in this book. Missing words or wrongly used words. Most of the time that is something I just overlook, while knowing that others do not over look those things. Well, I note that this is an issue while also noting that I read an advance reader copy, and those errors might be gone in the finished published book.

The errors consist of occasions when:
(a) the wrong word was used, as in:
'The last place Val and the band had placed at was a solo show that literally had six people in the audience.’ When, I'm fairly certain that the sentence was supposed to be
'The last place Val and the band had played at was a solo show that literally had six people in the audience.’ – location 2281 of 3799 – 60% into the book.

(b) missing words, as in: Again, not exact example:
Something similar as to what was in the book: 'Do you the pattern in the stars up in the sky?' What was likely supposed to be there in the book: 'Do you see the pattern in the stars up in the sky?'

(c) mixed up sentences. I have an exact quote from the book for this one:
'The crowd cheered. A few spilled people spilled over onto the stage, but most listened to Denis in awe.' - occurs at location 2153 of 3799 (57% into the book).

A few of the crowd spilled people onto the stage?

Remember – I’m reading an ARC, the errors I noticed might not be in the final released book.

5) It was interesting to see a comic book artist as a character. And one of the two main characters being 'chubby.'

I tentatively recommend the book, though note that the reader might need to be in the right 'mood' to read it.

June 7 2016