Lucynka
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lucynka.bsky.social
Lucynka
@lucynka.bsky.social
350 followers 34 following 2.8K posts
Of the blog “Lucynka Reviews Obscure Bullshit.” Girls don’t want boys, girls want feminist analyses of Cornell Woolrich stories. Currently also reviewing stories from the romance pulps.

lucynka.wordpress.com

Books: lucynka.wordpress.com/en-prise-press/
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lucynka.bsky.social
I'm considering it (if only because there's no Goodreads listing where I can leave a quick review like I normally might 😂).

I should have a little bit of free time this week, so…? 🤞
November 17, 2025 at 1:21 AM
lucynka.bsky.social
…called out as such), but there's also a lot of of-its-time casual racism and stereotyping, and the narrative itself falls apart a bit at the end.

Hogue coincidentally has a story in one my issues of LOVE MIRROR that I'm now very curious about.
November 17, 2025 at 1:06 AM
lucynka.bsky.social
Yeah, the timing is such that that MIGHT be the sort of thing Hogue was aiming for? But the pulps didn't really allow for such overt political messaging.

There's a genuine affection and appreciation for Mexican culture in the text (and prejudiced characters like Harry get criticized and…
November 17, 2025 at 1:06 AM
lucynka.bsky.social
But yeah, some of the terminology and the (ostensible?) white savior vibes is definitely part of what hasn't aged well.
November 16, 2025 at 10:57 PM
lucynka.bsky.social
Not literal slaves (thankfully), but "slaves" in the respect that they're slavishly devoted to Hugh/Pedro—tho the reason for this devotion is never really explained. (He's heavily implied to be a Robin Hood figure, but then…isn't?)

Set in "present" day Mexico, tho not too far from the US border.
November 16, 2025 at 10:54 PM
lucynka.bsky.social
THE SLUT! Mascara is only for evening wear, along with sparkly, clubbing tops and platform spike heels!
November 16, 2025 at 10:22 PM
lucynka.bsky.social
…shown sympathetically and often positively.

Those flaws aside (some of them owing to the publishing culture of the time), it's technically VERY well-written, and hella compelling. I had a REALLY hard time putting it down, and am honestly tempted to give it an immediate reread.
November 16, 2025 at 4:54 PM
lucynka.bsky.social
…her hero (not a thief, not a murderer, only kidnapped for love, which I guess is excusable???). Also disappointed the whole ranch situation is never really explained. Textual treatment of Mexicans def doesn't hold up to modern reading, but is better than average for the era, with them being…
November 16, 2025 at 4:52 PM
lucynka.bsky.social
Final verdict: Not surprised by the hero being a secret white, but still a little disappointed (it was well-telegraphed, so at least it made structural sense). More disappointed by the way Gerald's theft isn't explained in any depth, and by the way the author back-pedals on the dastardliness of…
November 16, 2025 at 4:52 PM
lucynka.bsky.social
Fucking called it.
"You had a younger, weaker brother," she said, as if it was a lesson she had learned. "And he was the favorite at home. Your father loved him best. Your father could bear anything about you, but nothing about the younger brother. "And he—Gerald was frightened. He came to you and told you he was a thief. And you took the blame. You took the blame."
November 16, 2025 at 4:03 PM
lucynka.bsky.social
I kind of love Aunt Fanny (not least because she's surprisingly complex for an older female character).
"She's got to understand what she's getting into, Mrs. Warder." This from Harry, bleak-eyed, hard-lipped. Aunt Fanny bristled like a cross old cat. "What's the matter with you? Do you have the face to stand there and tell me you're going to hold her to a promise to you, knowing how she feels about another man?" Harry declared himself then, once and for all. He was definitely not the forgiving kind. "I'm glad you brought that up, Mrs. Warder. I feel I ought to make myself clear. I don't feel as I used to about Felicia. I—I guess I've got a different ideal for the girl who's to be my wife. Felicia's too flighty. I'm through with all that. But I'm trying to show her what she's up against, just because I wish her well." "Hm-m-m!" Aunt Fanny said, with scorn. "If you wish her so well, why don't you act that way? Best thing you can do is to clear out and leave her alone."
November 16, 2025 at 3:47 PM
lucynka.bsky.social
Yup, there it is. Confirmed that "the señor" is actually secret white, Hugh Herriot. Still waiting to see if the second part of my earlier prediction is true.

That said, there's no denying that this is still a very exciting climax!
The señor—he was a man whom life had lost. He was lost in an abyss of fury and pain. He knelt beside the man he had shot, forgetful of Felicia and of the whole world. He gathered the unconscious body into his arms. "Gerald!" he cried. And then: "Gerald—Gerry! Little boy—my brother!"
November 16, 2025 at 3:31 PM
lucynka.bsky.social
Gotta admit I'm disappointed in this development, but also not terribly surprised? It could be that "kidnapping for love" was more acceptable in a romantic hero at the time than "kidnapping for money." (Or, at the very least, considered more romantic?)
She bent to put her arms about him, tried to lift him to his feet. Her heart was a trip hammer against her side, she was in terror. "I brought you here," he said. "I have lied to you, my own darling. I did not ask a ransom. I have sent no word to them except that you were safe. I saw you, and I loved you, and I stole you from them. Now I must give you up to them. I see now that it could never have been."
November 16, 2025 at 3:23 PM
lucynka.bsky.social
Blasphemy.

(Also, maybe this is why I'm so goddamn picky about sex scenes in the romance novels I read, and end up rolling my eyes at them more often than not?)
Excerpt from the above paper. It reads: In Christina Lauren's SWEET FILTHY BOY, as the MMC, Ansel, 'mov[es] in and out of [Mia]' (2014b, 89), the FMC, Mia, makes the declaration that she 'won't need his fingers or [hers] or a toy' (2014b, 89). Rather, she will be able to achieve orgasm in the culturally 'right, good, normal' way (from penetration) as opposed to the 'immature' clitoral orgasm (Nagoski 2015, 275).
November 16, 2025 at 2:07 PM
lucynka.bsky.social
On the one hand, consent issues—but on the other hand, it's such a bizarre punishment for attempted murder that I almost respect it? ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯ #SeñorScreamingKissHimKissHim
"It will not be too hard a punishment for YOU!" the señor cried jovially, and turned again to Rosa. "Kiss him!" he commanded. Rosa stared, wide-eyed. Then she scowled blackly, and said: "I will not!" Her whole being was tense with defiance. The kindly hand on her shoulder tightened and was no longer kind. "KISS HIM!" the señor said again. "He has earned a kiss from you. He loves you. He has risked his life to save you. Go to him and kiss him on the lips." He added: "If you do not, there will be a burro train leaving here to-morrow morning. And in it, you shall be—bound for a convent where they will teach you manners, my wild Rosa." She stared, and then, without a word, she went straight to Ramon, her hands hanging at her sides, her little face very white. Evidently there came a moment when the señor was obeyed even by this wild creature, and no matter what he asked. She lifted her lips. "I would rather die," she said directly to the young man. "And I 'ate you. But do as—as the señor commands." "Señorita Rosa—" the boy murmured. For a moment, it seemed that he, too, would refuse to obey the señor. Then with a sound that was half a sob, he gathered the unyielding little figure into his arms.
November 16, 2025 at 2:47 AM
lucynka.bsky.social
AWW, YEAH, THERE IT IS.
She turned to go and he stopped her. "Señorita—" he said. Men had kissed her in her time. Gerald had kissed her. His lips had been boyish and cool and sweet. And Harry had kissed her, of course. Rather as a matter of course, restraining himself, remembering all the time he did it that she was engaged to him and that some day she would be his wife. There was a certain respect in his caress that had nothing to do with love. No man had ever kissed her, really, until the señor. She had wanted this. She had dreamed of it, hating him, wanting him. [continued in next] He put his arms about her quite simply, with no apologies. She lifted her face. "Señorita—" he said, still in that odd, broken tone. And then his lips were on hers, his arms were about her. She could not have drawn away from him, for he was steel and fire. She did not want to draw away. "Felicia!" He sighed her name against her mouth. She had never felt anything like the pressure of his lips. She hung in his arms, limp and helpless against him, and he kissed her, not once but many times. He did not even say: "I love you," as Gerald had said it long ago, and as Harry had said it not so long ago. Merely he held her, kissing her again and yet again, as if the kiss itself was reason enough for its giving. She asked no questions. There was nothing she could say. She was thrilling as she had never thrilled to the caresses of any man.
November 15, 2025 at 11:01 PM
lucynka.bsky.social
Something something, audio erotica? 🤔😂
November 15, 2025 at 10:55 PM
lucynka.bsky.social
Weird bit of gender essentialism there, but okay.

Feel free to finish that sentence with the words of your choice. ("And then later to scream in murderous rage as she wreaks vengeance upon her enemies," for instance!)
The señor came over to the singer and leaned on the polished dark top of the piano. "You have a very lovely voice, señorita," he said. She looked up into his eyes and could not speak. "You have given me great pleasure with your little song. A woman who does not sing—she is not a real woman. For behold, the exquisite voice of a girl it has been given her for more than one purpose. To sing and to stir the heart of a man. And then later—"
November 15, 2025 at 10:50 PM
lucynka.bsky.social
Chapter fifteen, almost two-thirds of the way through, and we might finally get a kiss??? (⁠✿⁠☉‿☉⁠) #fingerscrossed
CHAPTER XV A Kiss and a Dagger
November 15, 2025 at 10:14 PM
lucynka.bsky.social
This book is surprisingly psychological, but not at all boring? (Perhaps because the psychology on display is actually very realistic and compelling?)
Quite suddenly and half ashamedly, she thought of him as he would be when he was married, and had little brown-eyed sons to adore him. He would be gentle with them, and tender and wise, as he was with the small colt. They would never fear him, they would worship him as every one else on the hacienda did. She felt a sudden, surprising pang of terror at the thought of the danger he was in. At this very moment, Harry, with men to help him—perhaps even Uncle Dan—was near. At any moment, they might descend on the rancho. Oddly, [continued in next] she had no doubts as to the outcome. This great, wild, contradictory creature would be taken. Would he be shut away behind bars somewhere to eat his spirit out in captivity? Or would he be killed—die, perhaps, in this land where he was life itself to a hundred human beings? Perhaps she was merely being sentimental and womanish to fear for him! After all, he had done her a great wrong. She might have died here in captivity, or on the way, of exposure and terror. In spite of his kindness, he had brought the worst trouble of their lives to Aunt Fanny and Uncle Dan, and to poor Harry. And even perhaps to Gerald Herriot, whom she might have helped back to decency if she had not been snatched from Escondido.
November 15, 2025 at 9:16 PM
lucynka.bsky.social
They haven't even been all that physically close to each other, but already there's more sexual tension here than there is in a lot of modern romance novels.
"Enough of this!" she said. "I'm—tired of it. I shall tell you, señor, just nothing. Why, what would you do if I told?" She was rather magnificent as she stood there, small and defiant, with a pride which had nothing to do with temper, far more impressive than the fury she had given way to a moment ago. She had hoped for aid from Rosa, but she knew now that it was not to be forthcoming. She was not to be saved from the wrath of the man who held her. And so she was reckless because she was com pletely despairing. There is a certain courage and dignity which comes with that state of affairs. "What would you do if I told?" she asked, almost amused, her eyes on the dark faces before her. [continued in next] The señor eyed her with unwilling admiration. He said: "I should punish the transgressor, señorita, rest assured of that. You see, I know that, whoever he was, he attempted murder. It was murder to send you out alone on the trail." "You object to murder, do you?" "I object to murder," the señor told her gravely. "And if I do not tell?" Felicia asked. "Then I shall not be able to punish the real criminal—but I shall undoubtedly punish you." She even managed a shaky little laugh. "I am willing," she said, "to take my own crimes on my own head. I ran away—yes. I shall do so again if I ever get another chance. When I get out of here, I shall have you hunted down like a rat. Now—get on with whatever is to come!" He stared at her, brown eyes fierce and hard, looking into blue eyes as hard and hot as steel.
November 15, 2025 at 7:45 PM