Review: Searching for that Creative Spirit
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 02 1, 2012
I was drawn to this book by its setting. I am from the Appalachian Mountain region and find myself interested in stories based within the ridges and deep hollows throughout the area. This is my introduction to Mr. Nicholson and found him to be an excellent storyteller and writer.Imagine a group of artists on a retreat, each trying to recapture the "creative spirit" that for many has slipped away, only to find themselves trapped and being used by a the spirit of the man who built the mansion that they have been invited to to rekindle that "creative spirit". One of the invited guests is the granddaughter of the house creator and through her he wants to reclaim his life along with the help of the creations of the some of the artists as he and his minions lead them in their creative workings. Will the spirits of the house overcome the living and recreate their lives or will those that are living overcome the temptations of knowing that the works they are making will increase their fame and possible fortune? Are all of the good people really that good or are they trying to manipulate the guests for their own ends? It all comes to a very dramatic climax in the end.Mr. Nicholson's native characters living on the mountain, brought to mind real people that I am acquainted with from the Appalachians. Their beliefs in omens, charms, and the lore that they kept alive were very familiar to me. He has evidently spent some time on the ridges of the mountains.A very good read and a job well done. I look forward to reading more of Scott Nicholson's works. Hopefully he does not have to go to the mountaintop to get fresh material. One never knows what type of "spirit" one may run into on the mountains.