Scan barcode
A review by judithdcollins
The Kept by James Scott
4.0
James Scott delivers a dark, haunting, yet compelling debut, THE KEPT as chilling as the snow outdoors; Written with vivid details, an intriguing story set in the late 19th century; a 12-year-old Caleb and an unhinged woman with a past, set out for revenge--a family’s murder. 3.5 stars
Elspeth Howell, a midwife, returns to her home in upstate New York in the middle of a snow storm to discover a nightmare; four of her five children and her Native American husband, Jonah has been shot to death. The fifth child, Caleb, hiding out since the shooting, thinking the bad men have returned for him, and inadvertently, shoots his mother.
Readers slowly learn her children were abducted as infants since she was unable to conceive children on her own. As they both seek revenge, under new identities; Caleb is obsessed with learning his biological background. From sins of the mother to an innocent child forced into a cruel adult world, these two may discover something from the pain.
Not for the faint of heart, from disturbing to lyrical prose, this gripping coming of age novel takes readers on a journey, while mother and son set out to find the killers there is much more to uncover, from terror to tenderness, mystery to clarity, guilt to innocence, violence to calm, destruction to rebuilding, Scott delivers a complex and thought-provoking account of family, loss, love, and despair.
A riveting novel, a literary author to watch-- reminiscent of Cormac McCarthy’s “The Road,” and “Blood Meridian”, American novelist, playwright, and screenwriter; author of ten novels, spanning the southern gothic, western, and post-apocalyptic genres. (this year marks the 50th anniversary of his first novel, The Orchard Keeper).
Readers will learn to care about Caleb and try to understand Elspeth, but things do not look positive. as there is tragedy around every corner. While the narrator, Kate Udall was very depressing, long and drawn out, making it difficult to listen —matching the setting, emotion, and mood of this Gothic style book. There is no humor here, and yes it is dark; however, look beneath this and you will see where the books shines – in the brilliant writing.
On a personal note: While updating my Library Thing account, I discovered a number (many) of audible books which I read while traveling, and failed to go back and review; playing catching up!
Elspeth Howell, a midwife, returns to her home in upstate New York in the middle of a snow storm to discover a nightmare; four of her five children and her Native American husband, Jonah has been shot to death. The fifth child, Caleb, hiding out since the shooting, thinking the bad men have returned for him, and inadvertently, shoots his mother.
Readers slowly learn her children were abducted as infants since she was unable to conceive children on her own. As they both seek revenge, under new identities; Caleb is obsessed with learning his biological background. From sins of the mother to an innocent child forced into a cruel adult world, these two may discover something from the pain.
Not for the faint of heart, from disturbing to lyrical prose, this gripping coming of age novel takes readers on a journey, while mother and son set out to find the killers there is much more to uncover, from terror to tenderness, mystery to clarity, guilt to innocence, violence to calm, destruction to rebuilding, Scott delivers a complex and thought-provoking account of family, loss, love, and despair.
A riveting novel, a literary author to watch-- reminiscent of Cormac McCarthy’s “The Road,” and “Blood Meridian”, American novelist, playwright, and screenwriter; author of ten novels, spanning the southern gothic, western, and post-apocalyptic genres. (this year marks the 50th anniversary of his first novel, The Orchard Keeper).
Readers will learn to care about Caleb and try to understand Elspeth, but things do not look positive. as there is tragedy around every corner. While the narrator, Kate Udall was very depressing, long and drawn out, making it difficult to listen —matching the setting, emotion, and mood of this Gothic style book. There is no humor here, and yes it is dark; however, look beneath this and you will see where the books shines – in the brilliant writing.
On a personal note: While updating my Library Thing account, I discovered a number (many) of audible books which I read while traveling, and failed to go back and review; playing catching up!