Sunday Story Ratings #03: The Dark Room
The Dark Room by Minette Walters
Originally published 1995; this edition 1996
Publisher: Allen & Unwin Pty Ltd
M
(V, L, S, D)
Violence
Coarse Language
Sexual References
Mild Drug Use
Representations
Gender:
Primary character is female, most other characters are male. Don't think this passes the Bechdel Test; although there are conversations between the lead and her step-mother, the lead's father features strongly.
Sex:
Characters have a variety of attitudes toward sexuality, ranging from strongly sex-negative to strongly sex-positive. One character is gay and falls into the flamboyant stereotype, but does not fall victim to any adverse tropes (e.g. Bury Your Gays). If any other character is not heterosexual, I did not notice it evidenced by the text.
Race & Ethnicity:
Two minor characters are black English and subjected to the racism of a third character. Also true of a back-story character. Apart from this race plays no noticed role and other characters are presumed white.
Disability, Physical Diversity and Health:
The lead character has amnesia. The villain of the story is described as mentally ill.