Warren
Adler's team asked me to do an advanced review for his newest
blockbuster, THE SERPENT'S BITE. It's just out now and you can order it
by clicking on the link on the left hand side of this page.
Honored
by the request, I thoroughly enjoyed this somewhat dark piece of
literary fiction. See what you think, and let me know if the review
below strikes any questions or chords. We love comments here, so don't by shy. ;o)
Aaron Paul Lazar
www.lazarbooks.com
Author: Warren Adler
Publisher: Stonehouse
Press
Genre: Literary fiction
Kindle eBook: $7.69
ASIN: B00906GKRC
Trade Paperback: $16.43
ISBN-10: 159006044X
ISBN-13: 978-1590060445
Author’s website:
http://warrenadler.com
The
Serpent’s Bite by Warren Adler offers raw escapism rooted
in the wild environs of Yellowstone State Park. This riveting novel pits nature
against the tense dynamics of a very unnatural family, drawing fascinating conflicts
between right and wrong, real and counterfeit, power and subservience, abuse
and rebellion.
George Temple, widowed several years earlier, deeply mourns
the loss of his first wife, the mother of his two children. Over time, much to
his surprise, he meets Muriel, a woman who understands and comforts him. Now he
hopes to gingerly introduce the idea of his upcoming marriage to his two
estranged children, Scott and Courtney, and has planned a grand trail riding adventure
during which he will divulge his news.
George hopes to recapture the innocence of a time when he
and his young family took a long guided trail ride through Yellowstone. He
contacts his children, who have all but abandoned him, and they reluctantly agree
to retake the trip of their childhood with the same guide who hosted them years
ago.
Courtney and Scott are spoiled, ungrateful offspring.
Scott—weak and easily pushed around by his sister—still holds some affection
for his father, although he is furious that George has recently declined to
finance the latest in a long string of unsuccessful ventures.
Courtney—egocentric, brutal, and completely without
conscience—is focused only on her unsuccessful career as an actress and nothing
will stop her maniacal grab for her father’s fortune. This woman is the
ultimate sociopath housed in a goddess’s body, and her scheming ways make
hardened criminals look tame.
In addition to the intricate layers of subterfuge in this miserable
family, horrible, dark secrets simmer in their past. Flashbacks include insight
into a relationship most shocking. I won’t reveal the participants or nature of
the liaison, as it’s one of the surprise elements of the story.
One of George Temple’s greatest disappointments in this
adventure has to do with the trail guide. Decades after their first trip, Harry
has succumbed to alcohol and is constantly inebriated. The Mexican trail hand,
Tomas, enables his boss’s habits by burying bottles of liquor ahead of time
near the campsites. Although Harry has some redeeming qualities, such as his
deep and respectful knowledge and love of nature, Temple finds him intolerable
because of his treatment of Tomas. With prejudice and arrogance, Harry orders
the trail hand around like a slave, hurling racial epithets at every
opportunity and taunting the quiet man with regularity.
Mr. Adler’s understanding of abnormal relationships is
insightful and brilliant. Some scenes made my skin crawl, and others saddened
me deeply. I felt great empathy for George, who tries so valiantly to reunite
his family. Of course, these reactions to strong characters parallel the
suspense and tension embedded in the story from page one. Will George win the
affection of his children again? Will the group make it out of the park safely?
What about the grizzlies and mountain lions lurking in the background? Can
there be a positive outcome?
This tense and often shocking journey through nature’s
spectacular canyons and mountains will hold your attention and keep you reading
long into the night. A new classic has been born from the prolific Mr. Adler!
Recommended for adults only by Aaron Paul Lazar, www.lazarbooks.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment