“Do something for me and you…dream big, and if you leave a piece of yourself in whatever you do, your imprint will always be deeper than your footprint.” JoDee
21 Bookers arrived at the home of Ann Ireland armed with copies of A Kind of Hush, questions, and comments for the author, and in anticipation of listening to guest reviewer Penny Barshop’s in-depth analysis of the novel. In a continuation of “it’s all about me month” I’m humbled and grateful for the love and support shown by every one of you…friendship is the anchor that drops deep inside one’s heart…and yours will stay with me for all eternity. My novel speaks to the heart of tragedy and the frailties of the human condition when a moment in time changes a family forever, surrounding it in unspoken challenges. The story winds through a circle of lives connected by perceptions and decisions as it follows each character’s journey towards a different life even as they hunger to return to the life they once had. It was a fantastic and an almost surreal feeling sitting around with a group of friends and book lovers talking about fictional characters like they were our own family or neighbors. The goal of every author is for readers to believe in the characterizations enough to feel they could be having a cup of coffee or a glass of wine with them. Thank you!!
Mona Southerland joined us for the first time, and we hope she will find us interesting enough to return to another Bookers and many thanks to Janet Noblitt for driving in for the meeting!
Penny knows something about English literature having taught at the high school level for a decade specializing in the American novel and we were all spell-bound by her insights and attention to the nuances of “Hush.” Listening to her compliments about my command of the English language, the deft use of similes and metaphors, and descriptions was easy on the ears and warm to the heart…the example she pointed out… “A faint wind welcomed him when he opened the sliding door to the private terrace, the slant of light that offered hope in a darkened sky waning, the horizon looking as though someone spilled canned peaches and lemonade as twilight transformed day into night.” She recapped the story and the cast of characters outlining that there were at least four plots in the novel which all came together as the same characters were involved in each one. And in the end, revelations were disclosed in each one of the storylines. Different emotions played a major role in the development of the story…hurting, healing, family, love, and secrets exploring how each character dealt with the scope of the sentiments.
The characters
Gabriel Edward Mackie loved the world he lived in – he was an open book, innocent, and a model of goodness. His “whisper room” becomes a place for him to reach out to the spiritual world in which his mother and brother are still with him…his insights affecting the entire family as they are enveloped in the magic and mystery of his world that heals, transforms, and brings new hope into their lives. He was vulnerable and cerebral, an old soul able to see beyond the obvious, incorporating childlike humor into endearing situations. Patrick, aka, BigPop was the mediator of the family, the strength of a patriarch with a bounce in his step, a calming presence, and an ability to see the comedy in everyday life. Margo, aka GoGo, was his soulmate dedicated to family, fairness, and confident there was light amid the darkness. Before Griff died Willa was a playful ten-year-old but afterward her treatment of others and her dialogue especially with her mother turned caustic. She loved her little brother but resented the attention he got. She had been dealt a big blow when Summer blamed her for Griff’s death and internalized her anger by lashing out at everyone. Matt donned his Superman suit trying to find a way to mend all the fences between the family members while hurting as much if not more with how his family had disintegrated into disarray before his eyes. Summer succumbed to her debilitating grief after the death of Griff – burying her role and tossing guilt on her daughter instead of owning up to her own responsibility. Many in our group disliked her character specifically as to how she treated her daughter and her plunge into an extra-marital affair to placate her grief. The Kurtz clan was an odd bunch, none more so than Victor who was thrown under the bus by his father and brothers for a crime he did not commit prompting a little sympathy for this creepy pedophile – a feeling that we felt although we shouldn’t. Starla, Summer’s sister, was also dedicated to family and finding out the truth about what happened at the Gorge that day even if it meant the answer was not going to be to her liking. Conner, Starla’s love interest, was the indisputable poster child for law enforcement, Uncle Cool to his nieces and nephews, an all-around-buddy to Gabe, and experienced a father/son-type relationship with his mentor, Sheriff McAlister.
Our discussion…Let’s talk
Matt’s seemingly sudden obsession with Tina: The introduction of Bradley Anderson into Tina’s life and the death of his wife collided throwing Matt into a tailspin prompting him to confess his undying love for his life-long friend and business partner. They had had a brother/sister type relationship for years, but Matt had no use for her current love-interest – a man who had put his career before that of his wife and daughter. Part of Matt was in protective battle mode, but it made him realize that his feelings might be deeper than he would admit.
Did you figure out who was responsible for Summer’s death? “Kinda.” The suspicion was parceled out between Willa, Bradley, and Victor with a slight hint that maybe Matt had an axe to grind because she was pregnant. Foreshadowing was evident when Willa landed atop Summer after they tumbled off the cliff.
What was the clicking noise Gabe heard at the Gorge? Victor’s Tourette’s vocal tics.
Song titles are featured in almost every chapter – why? Songwriters are storytellers and these are used as an “organizing principle” telling the reader what will happen in that chapter. For example, Chapter 13 is “Before and After” which is a song by Rush that speaks to Patrick and Margo’s separation…. “maybe we could talk about it…try to get it straight…after all these years, maybe it’s too late…but I need to have you by my side.” Rebecca Brisendine commented she could just see me and Mickey dancing through the chapters!
The research: As I’ve never been to Buffalo N.Y. or Big Bend, the research for the road trip and the places Starla and Matt would stay was extensive. Mickey mapped out the route on an Atlas and I filled in what would be seen on this trip as well as the sights and sounds of New York, etc…it involves a great deal of time but to me it adds a sense of place and local flavor for the characters to explore and enables the reader to feel like they are part of the scene and not just reading about it.
Some of the Truisms: Green Tree Texas is based on Alpine – home to Sul Ross State University with the desk atop Hancock Hill; The Holland Hotel was renamed The Murphy Hotel; Marfa Municipal Golf Course, the story of Marfa lights and the Prada Store; Cemeteries, restaurants, Roosevelt Island, theatres, etc…in New York; the Hello Kitty story; Margo’s book choices, various animal’s names…Gabe’s “head of cattle conversation” is from yours’ truly own naïve mouth….Griff’s story is based on what happened to Mickey at six or seven when he sucked a jawbreaker down his windpipe and was turning blue before a neighbor sprinted over and dislodged it saving his life; the Italian Barola wine is real as well as the scent of licorice and violets is Lolita Lempicka perfume – my favorite fragrance.
How long did it take to write Life in a Box and A Kind of Hush? Probably ten years of dreaming and five or six years of writing before Life in a Box was published. The setting/storyline for A Kind of Hush developed from a newspaper article in December 2017 about a family hiking at the Zoar Valley Gorge when they plunged off a shale cliff. Both parents died but the young sons survived. When the profile of Gabe was scratched out along with the first few sentences and the ending, “Hush” was born and took about three years to publication. It’s nice to have a passion – makes life fun! Book # 3 is in the incubator with a few titles floating around and maybe settings in France, Germany, and a fictional German town in Texas – stay tuned!
The ending: The “big” issues were Matt’s confession about his vasectomy and how he protected Willa for her role in Summer’s death assumingly with no consequences.
First, the vasectomy. It was written to add another twist to the mix…something else for the reader to ponder. Keep in mind the only timeline we have is that the operation was after Griff died when Matt and Summer were still living together, but emotionally apart and she was involved in an “unconsummated” relationship with the ADA Reid. Matt’s “fishing/vasectomy” trip had to happen after the family was more stable – they all had been in counseling and making progress. He wouldn’t have left them if they were not on the road to recovery…which would put the “imagined” timeline shortly before their trip to Zoar Valley Gorge – possibly within the three-month period that his urologist had suggested it was possible to impregnant his wife. This is one of those write your own version of the ending. Some readers love happy endings where everything is tied up in a neat little bundle…others enjoy speculating the “what-ifs.”
With Matt protecting Willa she paid no consequences for her actions. This was heavily discussed with the verdict by most that she should have been held accountable for causing her mother’s death. I don’t disagree with that scenario but here’s why it was written that way. The scene spoke to the theme of the novel – is there a gray area between right and wrong? Willa’s Wattpad story was a scream for help. She was the epitome of a flawed character and certainly matched the profile of a deeply troubled teen as she was embroiled in anger and depression compounding her own guilt for Griff’s death and intensifying with her mother holding her responsible. She confessed to pushing Summer – “I wanted to get even with her ‘cause of Griff. She hurt me so bad…I thought she might have a concussion or a broken leg, but she died instead of me.” The storyline to me fit Matt’s personality – able to forgive his daughter for a horrible mistake. Willa was going to punish herself for her selfishness and complete disregard for another person’s life. Do we know for sure she didn’t have a moral epiphany and confess? She aspired to become a writer so maybe she used her personal platform to inspire and help or counsel others with the theme – I’ve been where you are.
A great deal of thought and examination went into this scenario, but my purpose was clear – I wanted to give her some hope of becoming a worthwhile adult. Assuming she and Matt would endure extensive counseling seemed automatic. There was some chatter about adding the adult Willa to novel # 3…not a sequel, just her character in another setting…I’ve made a note of this.
After Matt confessed that he remembered what happened at the Gorge that day was Willa taking her own life ever a consideration after he told her he knew. No, that would have added another layer of tragedy to a family already reeling from the earlier events.
Was that really Victor in the Faux Pas Follies? Another question for the reader to answer – the ping came from Sophia’s stolen phone.
As we age, do we see things grayer? The consensus was yes…things don’t appear to be as black and white as when we were younger.
On the business side:
Thanks for supporting of Bookish by ordering our Bookers’ books from Jen. The only one she couldn’t get was Be Frank With Me – available on Amazon kindle/audio/paperback/hardback. Not our pick until May so there’s time.
At the request of BookTrib I sent Joani Elliott, author of The Audacity of Sara Grayson an email along with the minutes and photo from Bookers. She responded back that she was “delighted to read them and thinks she’s ready to move to Texas so she can join our club as a permanent member. Any book club with an official food czar sounds like my kind of club.” She offered to send signed and personalized book plates to anyone who purchased the book. Generally, these are added inside to hard copies, but she’ll send them to anyone who wants one. Let me know if you’re interested and I’ll send the information to her.
As I’ve said. I hate to move Bookers from our regular time slot however, I’m going to have to do it again. On January 11th (our regular second Tuesday date) I’ve been invited to speak to the Dauphin Island Women’s Club – they are celebrating the year of the author, so it’s moved to the following week – January 18th. Jean McSpadden has volunteered to host and is okay with the later date.
COLOR CODING SYSTEM
WHITE: LIGHT READ
PINK: MODERATELY CHALLENGING
RED: CHALLENGING
December 14: The Story of Arthur Truluv, Elizabeth Berg
For six months after his wife died, Arthur Moses’s life has been the same…tending to his rose garden and his cat, Gordon, then takes a bus to the cemetery to visit and have lunch with his late beloved wife. The last thing he imagined was that one unlikely encounter would change his life completely.
PINK
Discussion Leader: Rebecca Brisendine
Home of our food czar Bonnie Magee
January 18, 2022 Note change of date
In Five Years, Rebecca Serle
A striking, powerful, and moving love story following an ambitious lawyer who experiences an astonishing vision that could change her life forever.
PINK
Discussion Leader: TBD
Home of Jean McSpadden
February 8: Dear Edward, Ann Napolitano
What does it mean not just to survive, but to truly live? One summer morning, twelve-year-old Edward Adler, his beloved older brother, his parents, and 183 other passengers board a flight in Newark headed for Los Angeles. Halfway across the country, the plane crashes and Edward is the only survivor.
PINK
Discussion Leader: Jean Alexander
Home of TBD
March 8: The Address, Fiona Davis
When a chance encounter with Theodore Camden, one of the architects of the grand New York apartment house, the Dakota, leads to a job offer for Sara Smythe, her world is suddenly awash in possibility – no mean feat for a servant in 1884.
PINK
Discussion Leader: TBD
Home of Joylene Miller
April 12: Cher Ami & Major Whittlesey, Kathleen Rooney
From the green countryside of England and the gray canyons of Wall Street come two unlikely heroes – one pigeon and the other a soldier. Answering the call to serve in WWI neither the messenger bird nor Charles Whittlesey the army officer can anticipate how their lives will briefly intersect in a chaotic battle in the forests of France.
PINK
Discussion Leader: TBD
Home of TBD
May 10: Be Frank With Me, Julia Cleburne Johnson Debut
A reclusive literary legend who wrote a Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winning novel at nineteen has barely been seen or heard from since though, ironically, she still lives in a glass mansion in Bel Air even after having lost all her money in a Ponzi scheme. She needs to write another novel, so her publisher sends her a highly competent editorial assistant whose job is to be a companion to the author’s nine-year-old son – a boy with the intellect of Albert Einstein and the wardrobe of a 1930s movie star.
PINK
Discussion Leader: TBD
Home of TBD
Summer Read: The Wives of Henry Oades, Johanna Moran
When Henry Oades accepts an accountancy post in New Zealand, his wife, Margaret, and their children follow him to exotic Wellington. But while Henry is an adventurer, Margaret is not. Their new home is rougher and more rustic than they expected—and a single night of tragedy shatters the family when the native Maori stage an uprising, kidnapping Margaret, and her children. The story is based on a real-life legal case.
PINK
Discussion Leader: Jane Shaw
Always remember the most important part of who you are is what’s inside of you.
Happy Reading!
