Jim TilleyBesprekingen
Auteur van Against the Wind
Besprekingen
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I thought this might be a French-Canadian version of Deliverance (another novel written by a poet) but this canoe trip is just a backdrop for the story that unfolds. A story that includes political intrigue, environmental confrontations, and parenting challenges in a society grappling with issues of gender identity.
Like James Dickey, James Tilley has a poet’s skill for vividly painting the landscape from white water rapids to New York skylines to Cape Cod sunrises.
While Ralph is the primary character, this story has an ensemble of folks (men and women) confronting life’s “big” issues.
Ralph, wealthy and alone, reaches out to Lynn, the love he lost decades ago.
Lynn, separated from her husband, Jean-Pierre must decide whether to give up on her marriage and take a chance with Ralph, who has been less than trustworthy.
Jules, transgender son of Lynn and Jean-Pierre is trying to make his way in a brave new world and desperately wants to keep his parents together.
There are no easy answers. No pat solutions.
Tilley does a great job of writing about work. Not an easy thing to do. His characters are successful lawyers, engineers, politicians, scientists. He doesn’t overwhelm us with minutiae. He provides just enough detail so we can understand these complex characters.
Tilley, a masterful poet, has crafted an excellent debut novel.