Review: Could Not Put This Down! Riveting!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 4, 2013
There are so many ways to describe this book -- gritty, gripping, edgy, tough, fascinating, unsettling...This is the second novel I've read by Scott Kelly, and I was up almost all night reading until it was finished.Kelly is a master at describing despair, turmoil, and dysfunction in a way that bites to the core without being trite, stereotypical, or allowing the characters to be pathetically self-absorbed. He is a masterful writer, and one whose books I will seek out going forward.This book strikes on so many levels. The plot is interesting and full of action. There were many deliciously unsettling moments when my stomach gripped tight in anticipation and foreboding of what was coming next. The characters are all so different and create an intricate web as they interact with each other and the world around them. As their lives and experiences unfold, the story takes on a poignancy that draws the reader in to such a degree that we can start to feel a part of the Six. I found myself both wanting to cheer for them as well as reach into the page and physically steer them in a different direction.At another level, the author explores basic human needs and the degree to which we will go to find love, approval, family, and a sense of belonging. Lastly, there is a psychological delving into behavior, rationale, and dysfunctional minds. This more rich exploration of the human psyche is all just part of the book and a natural extension of the events that take place in the story. The author doesn't preach to us, he doesn't tell us what we should think, and he doesn't moralize. It is exceptionally well-done.If you like a gritty read, a read that gets you thinking, a read that challenges stereotypes and creates questions in your mind, Scott Kelly's "[sic]" and "The Blue" belong at the top of the list.