Summers of Shadows, Bodies and Bridges - Antil, Jerome Mark

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Résumé :
This historically set trilogy is packed full of small twists and clever turns; and the central characters are fully developed and highly interesting. The story basically follows a small number of characters growing up in the 1950s. There is a gripping adventure in all three of the books, but, in many ways, this is not a plot-led story. It's all in the characters. And all of the characters - even many of the secondary - literally jump off the page. The author has his characters talk in a way that is fitting to the time, but, thankfully, it is always understandable, and, as such, only adds to the story. In many ways, this set of books is an ode to the 'good old days'; and I suspect the author remembers them with relish, and not a little yearning. As he says in the intro, 'before there were cell phones and an internet…of a time when a full, hot meal at school cost a quarter'. But, although 'history' is a vital part of the story, the author also understands how important it is not to just simply describe the 'historical' setting but, rather, have the characters interact with it in a natural and unobtrusive way. Many authors, who set a book in a different century, seem determined to describe every silver spoon and every woolen tunic. Thankfully, this author has not fallen into that trap. I was particularly impressed by the style of writing in many ways. Many authors tend to describe setting and characters in hefty lumps of text, particularly in historical texts. But this can kill the pacing. Thankfully, this author is wise to this, cleverly mixing up speech, fun happenings and the describing of character and setting. Subsequently, the writing felt light and not at all like wading through cauliflower-cheese. And, where there is description, it is imaginatively written. To sum up, this is a gem of a trilogy. Most readers, particularly men, will find it gripping; the sort of books to get lost in; the sort of books where every character is the sort of character you wish lived on your own street. Also, I suspect, many will find this story helps them to reflect on family, the simplicity of youth and old school pals lost in time. It's the sort of story you recommend to a pal; that gets tatty corners as it's read so much.

Biographie:
International award-winning author Jerome Mark Antil brings the vibrant New Orleans and Acadiana to life on every page of this novel - The Bayou Moon. Experience New Orleans and visit a culture first painted by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow in his poem, Evangeline, about the tragic beginnings of the Cajun French and their journey into Louisiana's Acadiana. Look no further than The Bayou Moon. The area's life, culture, food and music are perfectly woven into the story to create a fantastically immersive narrative tapestry; Jerome Mark Antil allows the reader to walk the streets, the st. Charles Avenue, the Canal Street alongside his characters and see the world through their eyes. The Bayou Moon is a faultless mix of everything from sex and crime to life and death, but the overwhelming themes are that of hope and love. When it comes to love the author shows practically every form of love possible in the world, from family/friends love and romantic love to the love of life and experiences.The novel shows the friendship between a group of unlikely friends, a man close to death, an illiterate Cajun French yardman and two of the most successful women in Southern Louisiana. With a wide spectrum of personalities on the surface it appears that they wouldn't complement each other. And yet Antil has developed the characters to be multidimensional and connected through their hope and love each other. Jerome Mark Antil showcases a wide range of emotional turmoil, especially within Peck's story, which no doubt will charm sympathy from the reader and the overwhelming desire for Peck and the others to achieve everything they desire.Antil set this novel apart from all others by how he handles two different yet intertwining stories. Just when the reader thinks that the story is going to go one direction Jerome Mark Antil skillfully twists the tale to another direction keeping the reader on tenterhooks as to what will happen next.From both an Acadian and Irish heritage - Jerome Mark Antil is a consummate researcher who spoon feeds his story backdrops with such historical accuracy his fiction leaves lasting messages. Born the seventh child of a seventh son of a seventh son he was named Jerome after the librarian, Saint Jerome and Mark, after the wit and adventure of Mark Twain - Jerry, as he goes by - wears the honors well and writes what he knows - as Hemingway would encourage - and as he entertains with a talent for storytelling, he's earned from more than a dozen novels.