As Quiet As Its Kept
In Quiet as its Kept, Ms Sellars has introduced us to a cacophony of characters, loosely connected by the death of James Alexander Scott. Although he is used as a vehicle of introduction, he is actually the background for a far more intersting cast of characters. At the center are his three children: 2 daughters, Shirley and Zee, and one son, Terry. They, and the entire community have come together to mark the passing of James Scott. We learn about these characters by the inerpersonal relationships they have, not so much with each other, as with other people. It creates a series of concentric relationships, which actually merge to become a coherent story. It is through flashbacks and subsequent storylines that we ostensibly come to know James, by the impact he had on his family and community. James was a titan in thecommunity, whose public and magnanimous nature seems at odds with his private despotism.
The book is divided into "character" chapters, with each character speaking in his or her own voice. While there are about 10 characters who each demand their own storyline, the book avoids confusion by presenting a tightly woven plot. The author is also careful to develop each character fully, as their lives' events take place. The characters do interact with each other with natural intersections, but have enough of their own story lines to emerge distinct from each other
The author has a gift of the written word, and I found myself laughing out loud in quite a few places. Of note, is her likening one character's penchant for passion to a video game (You'll just have to read the book, but you will know it when you see it!), and the way he is described is priceless. I confess to borrowing the phrase myself. I liked the pacing of the novel, which moved swiftly, but completely, and while the author left plenty of story lines completed, she left more than ample room for further development. The author has obviously taken the time to carefully craft each individual, and considered each of their responses in the reality of their situations. The novel takes place in the Hampton Roads area (I lived there for a while), and I must say that the authors familiarity with the Hampton metro area was like the warm hug of a familiar friend. I find myself anxiously awaiting the next installment.
Reviewed By: Angela Hailey, Black Butterfly Review
As Quiet As Its Kept
Jannet West Sellars
Publisher: IUniverse, Inc.
January 21, 2005
ISBN: 0595339220