The Future God of Love by Dilman Dila
Publisher – Luna Press
Published – Out Now
Price - £7.99 paperback £3.99 Kindle eBook
The Future God of Love is a romance fantasy, set in an African world where stories are essential for the survival of humanity.
Jamaaro, a struggling storyteller, is the future god of love and must create a story every full moon for the prosperity of his town.
When he falls in love with a strange woman, having known loneliness all his life, he ignores the clues that she might not be what she seems.
If you read my blog, then I have to assume you like me believe in the power of story. Stories elp us see the world be they tragic or comic; we tell ourselves story to narrate our lives and stories can be destructive and deceitful. In Dilman Dila’s wonderful new novella The Future God of Love we get a short fantasy tale exploring love, story and all placed in a fascinating world.
Jaamaro has tasted the heights of fame as his stories have changed the world. His tales on domestic violence and the need for gender equality in marriages made people decide to make changes. As is therefore tradition upon his death he will be transformed into a god and based on his tales the God of Love. But ironically Jaarmaro is incredibly lonely and yet to ever have a relationship. His creativity is stalling he has not had a good story for a while, and he fears soon being replaced. Into which he meets a young woman Nyalisa auditioning for a story-telling role and despite all others feeling her talent wanting he feels instantly smitten. Nyalisa though has a purpose for him and sends Jaamaro on a quest that is going to change him.
This was a great short read! It could very easily have been a problematic and oft-repeated tale of a writer with man-pain being used by women but importantly Dila very much shows Jaamaro as the cause of the troubles about to beset him. He falls into the trap of thinking his horrible childhood defines his present ignoring that he is now a very well-respected storyteller. He tends to put women on pedestals rather than humans and also never have the important conversations with women he should have and misses opportunities. Jaamaro is likeable, funny, human even if over-dramatic earnest and naïve. His flaws are his and not shown to be caused by women themselves. Hence while we are sympathetic to his forthcoming adventure, we can’t help think he made it easy for his enemies!! This is something quite a few male writers would have a look at. I found it refreshing!!
Two other things will quickly jump out at you. The worldbuilding here is fascinating. It’s an unusual not quite past or present african-style setting. A world where people ascend to godhood based on deeds but also one where people travel in the skies by Bruka a cross between handglider and bicycle. In a novella that sense of place; hidden legends, monsters and gods really gives this story very quickly depth and texture that makes each the story really pull you in. The other successful element is the game hat Jamamro falls into a tale of ancient monsters and deceitful betrayals that cleverly links back to the idea of gods that gets launched at the start. Neatly plotted and I loved how Dila moves from love to horror to adventure so quickly yet making the whole tale work.
Like Jaamaro’s bets work this is a smart bit of storytelling that I totally enjoyed, and I think Dila is definitely an author to look out for more in the future. Highly recommended!
