Empress Theresa
by Norman Boutin
Author's Blurb (...?):
Theresa is honest, courageous, brilliant, loved by everybody ( even China wants her to take herself out of danger ), happily married, powerful but harmless, thoughtful of others' welfare not just her own, a believer in God, and an inspiration to the young and old. She attacks "impossible" problems with everything she's got and she never gives up. ____ "Those who challenge Theresa Hartley's power are fools" says the Israeli Prime Minister. "She could destroy the world."____ "Don't mess around with Empress Theresa!" says her husband Steve. __ Empress Theresa is what some people would consider impossible, a book about a good girl, with no sex, foul language, or violence, but still giving the reader an action-filled fascinating story.
My Reaction:
(This is another 372 Pages We'll Never Get Back read, shared with Donald.)
Oh my gosh, I cannot stand Theresa. She's just—argh!! The author wants you to think she's some amazing paragon who's brilliant, brave, and wise beyond her years (and hotttt, too, of course). But as the Empress herself might phrase it, "yeah, well", the truth is that she's an obnoxious, conceited brat of a teenager who just happened to luck into god-like powers. (Well, sort of. They're very strange and ill-defined powers, which she wields with all the wisdom, skill, and humility you'd expect from a bratty teenager.) At her worst, she's one of the most hateable characters I've ever come across who isn't an actual serial killer or abusive piece of crap. Given the way Theresa is described, it's uncomfortable and creepy to remember that this was written by a man in his mid-60s. Is she his fantasy crush or his self-insert character—or both? Ick.
Then there's the science angle. None of it makes any sense, and I'm not just talking about the science fiction stuff. It's utter insanity, yet presented in such a way that we're obviously meant to be impressed!
There's unintentional humor, but also intense boredom and confusion and annoyance. The podcast is the only reason to read this, as far as I'm concerned.
There's unintentional humor, but also intense boredom and confusion and annoyance. The podcast is the only reason to read this, as far as I'm concerned.
