Since my reading is incredibly slow these days I figured I would go back and review a few of my favorite books. Hester Kaplan's, The Tell. is my first pick.
The Tell is one of those books you feel yourself sinking into while the sun is streaming in through the window as you sit in an easy chair, enjoying the story page by page. Until you are A. interrupted (which is always the case in my house) or B. you are finished. However, with my loving family's interruptions, I did finish it rather quickly as I enjoyed it so much.
Mira and Owen are a married couple with the usual characteristics of a tired relationship,. They live in a lovely home in Rhode Island, trying to sort themselves out. Owen is a teacher at a local school that will be closing at the end of the year, Mira owns a struggling art school. Their lives become intertwined with their new neighbor, Wilton Deere, who moves into the beautiful home next door. Wilton is struggling with his own demons as he used to be a TV personality. no longer in the limelight nor wanted. He now directs most of his energies on the couple next door.
As the story unfolds, jealousy, omissions and secrets surround this couple and Wilton, who compounds their struggles After a time, Mira joins Wilton on a trip to the casino which turns into an addiction for her. On the outskirts of the story, Wilton tries to resuscitate a relationship with his estranged daughter, Anya.
Each character defines humans and their desperate struggle to cope and deal with the vast changes life hands out. Clashing most often, they try to function together as well as alone while hurtling down dark paths unable to find redemption.
Hester Kaplan is a fine writer, her story isn't flash and thrill. It's a subtle unfolding down a long dark road. A book road trip that the reader will embrace. Subtleties and all.
Buy it for sure.
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