The Game of Love and Death

by Martha Brockenbrough

[Amber (The Literary Phoenix)]

The Game of Love and Death enthralled me the first time I read it, and in re-reads, I feel the same way. Martha Brockenbrough does not write a lot of fiction like this – she has a couple historical non-fiction works – and I would love to read another fable like this one. Her writing still strikes me as achingly beautiful, and the story is so unique. It bothers me that so few people are aware of this book, because it’s gorgeous. It’s easy to fall in love with her writing.

If I had to condemn one thing, it’s that the middle gets a bit slow. The chapters are short, but as the players are moving into position, there’s a lot of waiting. But it’s still good. I almost don’t mind because her words are like honey and the music and the message outside of the plot is so beautiful. I also really like the formatting of the book – it’s different and nice looking. Plus a tale of polar opposites always gets me.

Really, I can’t emphasize enough how gorgeous this book is. There’s flowery language like in Shatter Me, and then there’s evocative language that summons jazz night clubs and a cigar smoke haze and the slow sway of Chicago summer that are beautiful without trying and just… aaghh. I love it.

Original Review: 4 Stars (9/8/17)

THIS BOOK IS SO BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN.

Seriously, I think I am in love with it? It’s so flowy and eloquent and the LOVE is beautiful and the DEATH is horrible and seriously Martha Brockenbrough knows her stuff – I’d like more books please. The characters are all REALLY well done. I thought Death was the most sabotaging, frustrating soul, but all characters are well written. Her word choice was gorgeous and I wanted to swoon because even if you don’t like fantasy or love stories you have to read this book just for THE WORDS. It’s so lovely, really, I’m entirely grateful to have read it.

Brockenbrough has a way of eliciting really raw emotions that will tug your heartstrings or ENRAGE YOU TO THE CORE. The story, set in the 1930s, tells the tale of a white boy and a black girl. They’re both hard workers. Henry is driven by his emotions. Flora is driven by rationality. One has been backed by Love, the other by Death. It’s a game to them (thus the title) like Romeo and Juliet or Helen and Paris. Death always wins. The conflict here is not a battle of families or of grecian warships – it’s to choose courage when all the world is against them.

And all the world is against them. Because the 30s were a time of racial turbulence, there’s about 5 people in their entire city that can accept their relationship. Most the city can’t even accept the fact they play music together. While the reactions and the HORRIBLE racism present in this book is likely accurate for the era, IT MADE ME SO MAD.

Please don’t misunderstand. This book is not written in a racist way. It’s written – I thought – with incredible sensitivity. But there are characters who behave deplorably.

And if that wasn’t enough, Death just keeps making a mess of things for each of them.

I WAS HOOKED FROM THE MOMENT I READ THE FIRST PAGE.

I really, really, really liked Henry and Flora. Ethan was wonderful as well, and his subplot of accepting his homosexuality. A lot of it was subtly written – just seeing the characters for who they are rather than shining a spotlight on their sexuality. It was beautifully done.

You really can’t help but root for Henry. He’s so sweet and sacrificing, but in a pure way? Not too sugary, not selfish at all. He has always had the courage to know who he is and what he likes, but he does it in a soft, likable way.

ONE THING: I HATED THE TITLE?

It’s difficult to explain, but I’m going to try. The Game of Love and Death? The title feels really impersonal. Since the book felt incredibly intimate, the title feels awkward on top of that. While the underlying story was about Love and Death and who is stronger and more enduring, I really think that Henry and Flora stole the show. I don’t have a better title suggestion, but “The Game of Love and Death” sort of makes me twitch a little.

This review and more like it can be found on The Literary Phoenix.