Talking Scared 80 – Gretchen Felker-Martin and Bustin’ Everyone’s Balls
Have you ever wondered what fresh testicles taste like? No? I don’t believe you.
Our guest this week wants to get you thinking about it … well, that and many more important things. Gretchen Felker-Martin is the author of Manhunt – potentially the most buzzed-about horror novel of 2022. The story follows a pair of trans- protagonists through a blighted landscape of monstrous men and militant feminists – with the prized scrotal orbs being the key to continued life, and the pursuit of happiness.
Quite a lot to chew on, right (I’ll stop!). On top of that pulpy set up, the book goes deep, turning the end-of-the-world into the perfect allegory for anti-trans thinking, but also sparing much empathy for the confused, the ignorant and the self-loathing. It’s an angry book, but a thoughtful one.
Gretchen and I talk about love and hate, about the fear of involuntary transitioning, about victimhood and caring and fighting back against facism. I went in expecting a polemic but ended the conversation feeling strangely better about the world.
I hope you do too.
Enjoy!
Manhunt is published February 22nd by Tor Nightfire
Other books mentioned in this conversation include:
- Tell Me I’m Worthless (2021), by Alison Rumfitt
- “The Screwfly Solution” (1977), by Alice Sheldon
- IT (1986), by Stephen King
Gretchen’s interview with Heat Death can be found here.
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