FICTION

Water and Abandon

Univ. of Nebraska. Sept. 2012. c.248p. ISBN 9780803238060. pap. $18.95. F
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Vivian ("The Tall Grass" trilogy) recounts the tragic circumstances surrounding the disappearance and death of Kelsey Little, a well-loved Nebraska teenager who had been integral to the lives of her parents and boyfriend. All three are devastated by their loss, becoming increasingly isolated in their grief. The Sicangu River, where Kelsey's body is found, serves as a central motif of the novel as the characters are drawn to the river in their attempts to attain resolution. Vivian's writing is hypnotic and rhythmic, his intricate sentences luring the reader deeper into the truth surrounding Kelsey's death and the world of those she has left behind.
VERDICT In a mesmerizing story that unfolds at a leisurely pace. Vivian deftly illustrates the fragility of life and the consuming nature of loss. Readers who enjoy literary fiction that delves into the nuances of the human psyche will want to read this novel.
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