Did you ever become bored with your stable, secure lifestyle? Perhaps you had artistic ambitions, and shelved them to pursue a sedate but lucrative career? Yet one day you wake up and realize you've traded in your past dreams for a lackluster existence that has become somewhat like hell on earth in suburbia.
This is the point at which we enter Ben Bradford's life; he's a successful lawyer, a partner in a Manhattan law firm, has a beautiful wife and two adorable children. A good life, in fact, with an upper-middle- class home in an upscale suburb. But he isn't happy, by any means; he always dreamed of being a renown photo-journalist, and spends his most pleasurable moments working in his dark room, or shooting photos with the most expensive equipment money can buy. Unfortunately, it's a 'closet-obsession' and not likely to ever manifest into public recognition.
Then he learns his wife is having an affair, and in a desperate, tragic moment of confrontation with her lover, he lashes out and accidentally kills the man. Therein is the tale that unfolds, as Ben panics and then starts to realize how he can 'get away with murder'...which he does to some extent. But as he cleverly, and with cunning calculation, executes his plan, we witness an amazing story -- involving deeper themes of identity, artistic frustration and marital commitment.
I was, personally, a bit disappointed at the ending of this novel. However, it is an excellent read and will keep you turning pages, absorbed in how the main character alters and rearranges his life after an awful moment in a violent act which forever changes him.
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This novel happens to be written by a young southern writer -- so, my review is likely to be biased. However, if you liked 'Bright Lights, Big City', a novel about the wretched excess of the fantastic 80s decade, you'll like this novel too. The title gives you a clue about the plotline; weren't we all in a rush in the 80s? Are we still rushing to nowhere?
Russell develops an excellent plotline with vivid, believable southern characters (believable if you're living in the South, that is!). The protagonist is transplanted to New York City (or exiled there, according to his southern relatives who think NYC is the Big Evil City). At any rate, the main character works in advertising (yuck, huh?)...but he's an aspiring novelist. As his life gets twisted up and mangled, accidental happenstance has him meeting a famous older movie actress and falling in lust, then in love. To say nothing of the humorous irony waiting to pounce on him at every corner!
This is a funny, witty, fast read for anyone who loved the 80s decade; it will have you laughing aloud, and wondering at the strange coincidences that sometimes happen in our own lives.
If you are an 80s Gen-Xer, you
might also like to check out this website for great
links to 80s entertainment:
80s
Entertainment
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By Louise Shivers
This novel made a lasting impression on me, and it's been at least ten years since I first read it. This story is hauntingly searing in its portrayal of love, lust and adultery. I would call it 'suspense' but that is not exactly correct, though it does center around a young married woman who becomes enraptured by a man hired to help out on the couple's rural farm. Set in the 1930s Era, the author did extensive research for that time period; it has minute details about clothing, hair styles, home furnishings, etc. In fact, I can't recall a more authentic setting in a 30s era novel; and the prose is exquisite, almost breathlessly talented. Take a look at it; you're sure to find this a worthwhile read.
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By Ellen Gilchrist
I'm a big fan of Ellen Gilchrist, and personally consider her to be one of the finest southern female writers today. And this novel is my all-time favorite work by her: Anna Hand, of the infamous, boisterous fictional 'Hand' family (featured in other stories by Gilchrist) is a famous novelist. Upon learning she has breast cancer, she goes on a long round-about way of resolving her family's ongoing troubles; then, having done all she can, decides to flamboyantly commit suicide. And does it with style and flair, in her somewhat offbeat manner.
However, this is not a depressing story because it is interwoven with Anna's sister's life and how Anna's carefree, exuberant lifestyle becomes, after her death, the sister's own key to freedom from sexual repression and a new, rewarding insight into life itself. There is wonderful humor in this novel as well; Gilchrist is adept at creating warm, funny, insightful characters and this novel is one which will give you hours of enjoyment as well as insightful glimpses into the southern world.
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Net of Jewels
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Short Stories
Highly recommended if you are an aspiring writer, this personal journal gives a funny but fascinating portrait of Gilchrist's southern lifestyle, reasons for becoming a writer and the writing life.
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