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Book ReviewsThe Keeper's Son (Thorndike Press Large Print Americana Series) |
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Book: The Keeper's Son (Thorndike Press Large Print Americana Series)
Written by: Homer Hickam Homer Hickam |
Publisher: Thorndike Press
Average Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5
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Such a wonderful novel
Rating:
5 / 5
I knew I had something special from the opening pages when Josh loses his little brother at sea. The writing was so powerful, I could feel the great loss of that little boy. It surprised me when the story picked up some years later with Josh returned to Killakeet. But he is still looking for Jacob. This is a powerful resonating note that carries through this romantic wartime story. The romance between Dosie and Josh reminds me very much of Doc and Suzy in Steinbeck's Sweet Thursday and since I know Mr. Hickam is an admirer of Steinbeck, I just wonder... anyway, Dosie is a great character, vulnerable yet strong, headstrong yet tender, a woman of action, yet romantic. I love the way the action is moved along while Josh and Dosie are in bed together, pillow talk about U-boats and the beach patrol! You don't find that in many books. I loved Keeper Jack, of course, and Queenie O'Neal and Buckets, her husband. The chapter on Queenie telling her husband she's going to get Josh married is priceless because you can tell Buckets doesn't have a clue what she's talking about but, in the end, he gets what he wants and I think she does, too. As Hickam writes, there's nothing like seeing a lonely, tortured man to put a woman in the mood for romance! In fact, there are a number of these little writing gems throughout the book that makes me believe Hickam is a very underrated writer when it comes to understanding and writing about the human condition.
For another instance, Josh asks Dosie what's she's been doing since they knew each other as children and Dosie asks him if he wants the awful truth or a pretty story. Josh says the pretty story and she proceeds to give him a litany of woes including losing her money, falling in love with a musician, having a miscarriage, losing her job, losing the musician, becoming a falling down drunk, etc. until now she's washed up on Killakeet. Josh contemplates that, then says "I'm glad I didn't ask for the awful truth." I laughed out loud, startling the dog. Just good stuff. Little surprises all along the way. Many chuckles, some tears. I even liked the action scenes at sea fighting the U-boats because the author made me care about the boys (most of them teenagers or in their early 20's) on both sides. The romance between Krebs and Miriam is classic stuff. Why they don't make a movie out of this one, I don't know. Sure has all the elements.
Highly recommended to lovers of good reads and good literature. You won't put it down too often once you start reading it.
That sinking feeling
Rating:
2 / 5
I eagerly looked forward to reading this book. I'm from North Carolina and have spent wonderful days on the Outer Banks. I'm interested in submarine warfare; I just saw the full-length (nearly 5-hour) version of "Das Boot." I had read nothing but good things about all of Hickam's work.
But I was quite disappointed. The plot starts well, as the reader learns of the tragic aspects of the two main characters' histories. But their romance is written on an adolescent level, as is the book's humor. The story quickly becomes rushed, sketchy, and ever more unbelievable.
Hickam cripples his book with the use of preposterous coincidences, and his last chapter sinks the whole enterprise like a torpedo sinking a freighter.
Just good writing
Rating:
5 / 5
The Keeper's Son is an example of how an historical novel should be written. Great characters, taut writing, several interesting storylines, a little war, a little romance, always something going on. It's a page-turner. Readers will get swept away in the romance and action of the Outer Banks in 1942. After reading this book, my family took a vacation to Cape Hatteras. That's how it affected us. Just good writing. Looking forward to the sequel.
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