COLLIN KELLEY AS ALCHEMIST.
Many "contemporary novels" are labeled "magical realism" when they are infused with the surreal. Isabel Allende is a master at this. And in "Conquering Venus", Collin Kelley provides us with a novel Ms. Allende herself would enjoy.
As if tapping into some primeval drive, Collin Kelley unearths desire of various types--repressed, taboo, and unrecognized, in nearly every word.
In "Conquering Venus", Kelley's debut novel, protaganist Martin Paige is a man haunted by a death, and a secret.
During a trip from Memphis to London to Paris in which he embarks(ostensibly) to assist his best friend, Diane, Martin disovers that his ability to fall-in-love may be damaged, but not gone. With the deft care of an older, mysterious Frenchwoman, and the intuition his dreams (and hers) provide, Martin is coaxed, pushed, and finally, metaphorically-speaking, held hostage by his own conscience.
Many women readers will connect with Martin's losses and his seeming inability to get past old hurts. Many men will connect with Martin as well.
And both genders will pine for the ever-elusive Frenchwoman, the voyeur (she watches other people, in their hotel rooms) who passes time, from a prison of her own making.
The eventual object of Martin's affection is quite compelling, too: he is one taboo component of this "triangular" love story. And when I say "triangular", it's not what you think. There are three separate "triangles" in this dark, edge-y and oddly spiritual love story; that's because each of them intersect each other's lives in wondrous ways.
The characters here are so well-drawn, you may well forget you're reading a novel, and begin to refer to what you read, as a film you saw.
The novel will ask you many questions, but Kelley does not not hand us easy answers. He lets the characters speak for themselves, and by the end of the novel, he's performed an alchemy of sorts--and we are left with something familiar, something comforting, a sweet scent, like a French perfume. Ethereal, and lovely.
Peace, kids.
8 comments:
Wow, Lisa. I'm honored. I'm so glad you liked it. xoxo
You're welcome, honey--the pleasure was all mine! ;)
Excellent review, Lisa! (Started the book this morning.)
David H.--Hi there. It was a good read.
Wonderfully written review, Lisa! Wow. Thanks for letting me know about the book.
Lydia--You'll really enjoy it. I don't think Collin would ever call himself "spiritual", but the book manages to be very much that. It feels "endowed" with the kind of "mystery" to which Roman Catholics always refer.
You've captured the mystical, timeless aura of Conquering Venus. It does have a magical realism quality to it (I love Isabel Allende). And yes, Irene is an amazing character. I feel like each of the characters is someone I actually know, and I can't wait to read the next ones. Great review!
Christine--Thanks for the word-up, and the compliments!
Hope to see you soon!
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