I’m a fan of the unusual and perhaps not so politically correct views on the world, real or imagined. And no one does this better than the Brits. Today David Jester is on the blog with a wonderfully twisted and darkly humorous story Read more of this post
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
Sophia Nash returns to the blog today with her debut offering in the contemporary fiction / woman’s fiction genre set in France. Please read on for my review of Read more of this post
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
My introduction to Lisa See, and I couldn’t be happier with this choice. Brew a large pot of tea (my favorite is Silver Needles – not from the story but….) and read my review of Read more of this post
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
A new to me author in translation, Igiaba Scego is on the blog today with her latest novel, a story of emigration, assimilation and broken dreams. Please read on for my review of Read more of this post
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
“If a man’s character is to be abused, say what you will, there’s nobody like a relative to do the business”, the perfect lead in for the review of my first introduction to Grant Ginder. Please read on for my review of this snarky, sassy and somehow all too relevant title Read more of this post
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Storytelling has been an integral part of many cultures, none quite as strong as in the African and Islamic cultures, with poetry and tales that last millennia. Abubakar Adam Ibrahim is using his talents as a storyteller to bring us today’s tale, one that combines a forbidden romance with political intrigue, and flavors it with the rich tapestry of Africa. Please read on for my review and an excerpt from Read more of this post
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Nothing can amuse a reader more than a story that feels as if it is sharing secrets from the trenches…but those have all been done to death, so it’s the characters that must reveal the secrets, and keep you reading on. Karin Gillespie does just that with her newly released
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A book that has been in my ‘pile’ for a while, just waiting to be listened to. For me, delving into stories that feature the underdogs in life, the seamier side of things and the struggles to just stay afloat require the right frame of mind to get into them. Shannon Holmes heads to Philadelphia – the parts that aren’t on the tourist maps with
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Welcome to my review of The Unfortunate Decisions of Dahlia Moss by Max Wirestone, a curious mix of nerdy quirkiness with a heroine who seems to have missed the train to success, repeatedly.
Every now and then I get a request to review a book where the author realizes that I have a fairly eclectic range of books that I read and review. This was one such request and today I am pleased to present my review of The Underground Nest a novella by Kathleen Maher.
About the book:
Never marry a Boy Scout.
When Zachary Severins, dedicated Scoutmaster and community leader, is caught cheating on his wife, she divorces him, his children lose respect for him, and his mistress spurns him. As Zach’s personal life crumbles, his professional career begins to follow. Only after Zach loses everything does he start to learn the true meaning of friendship, love, and responsibility.
Underground Nest, a short novel, is contemporary fiction with a sharp sense of humor but a soft heart for its characters.
My Review:
If one were to judge all Boy Scouts with the behavior, personality and approach of Zach the organization would have been defunct within a handful of years. Zach is a character that you will find difficult to sympathize with, more than once I caught myself rolling my eyes at his calculated, practiced behavior and his inability to take responsibility for his bad acts. The mind of a nine year old trapped in the body of an outwardly successful, upwardly mobile professor of political science, with a ‘need’ for traveling ‘off-path’ when it suits his sexual desires, he is hardly a likable character.
This is a read that develops a gripping need to know what steps he takes next, just to see if he finds the light and sense to apologize and make amends or continue on the path of self-destruction. While Zach is the main character, he is developed with a facile hand with no judgment or justifications, his misdeeds and insecurities lay out clearly and evenly. Honestly, I had near visceral reactions to his smarmy aura and calculated interactions; they were so well defined and described by the author. He was not completely without redemption however, and those small moments of neediness laced with the honesty of his unguarded reactions did help to improve the overall impression when the story ended.
This is a completely different take on the adultery story that we are commonly used to reading: from the point of view and voice being the perpetrator rather than the cheated on spouse, his insecurities and justifications, and even his arrogance all provide an interesting perspective. This is no story of a mea culpa, even as the world as he knows it comes crumbling down and perhaps that is what makes it feel more pertinent and applicable to the real world situations that many might face.
I received an eBook copy from the author with request for honest review. I was not compensated for this review, and all conclusions are my own responsibility.
I give The Underground Nest 5 out of 5 stars
To purchase your own copy of The Underground Nest go to:
About the Author:
Kathleen Maher is a lifelong writer with a number of short stories published in literary journals. She has written several novels that to date are unpublished. Five years ago, after becoming frustrated with the traditional publishing industry, she began a fiction blog, Diary of a Heretic, to post her work in progress and engage with readers. The novella Underground Nest, which began in serial form on the blog, is her first e-book, and she plans to publish more. She is married, the mother of two grown children, and lives in New York City.
Follow Kathleen at:
Diary of a Heretic § Twitter @kathleenmaher § Facebook